Is Thermostat wire in contact with UTH ok? / Thermostats with Day/Night Cycle

[Gallardo]

Hi All!

I've been lurking the forums for a while and finally decided to join the community and make the jump to owning my first BP.

I am going with a plastic tub/uth setup. I am in the uppereast coast so as you can imagine we do have low humidity.

I've researched for a few days and maybe it's such a silly question noone has posted it. I'm hoping for insight based on experience.

When going UTH>Probe>Floor with the probe directly on the UTH, are there any dangers of having the thermostat wire in direct contact with the UTH?

I understand thermostat probes must be made for this, but is the wire leading to the probe heat resistant? The wire will be between the floor of the tub and the UTH if i want my probe at the center of the UTH. Do i need to cover wire in contact with the UTH by foil taping it to the bottom of the container?

I have to have peace of mind when leaving that alone in my apartment while I am gone to work.


Separately - regarding thermostats, I like the herpstat, mainly for the day and night cycle settings but i believe the price is too much for a thermostat on one enclosure. Any recommendations for a cheaper one that has day/night cycle?

[KMG]

The wire can touch.

I tape the wire just behind the probe and if necessary the top of the probe. Aluminum tape works best in my experience.

Herpstats are great and you get what you pay for. I have for. Two Herpstat 1s, a 2, and a 4. They have all given me years of trouble free service.

Buy cheap, get cheap.

[Gallardo]

I would like to get the herpstat longterm. I agree with getting what you pay for. I am concerned because i have to pick up the BP on Thursday so i will need to shoot out to my local pet store to get the thermostat and heater.

All i can get my hands on locally are the Zilla heat mat and Zilla thermostat. Waiting for the herpstat will take too long

Compared to whats out there i know its low end and overpriced... I'm going to spend close to $80 on those two items because its from my local Petco, however its the fastest way I will be prepared to pickup the BP in two days.


If i ordered the herpstat and UTH online I'd have to wait for the shipments (this may lead to 4-5 days of no heat for the BP) not a good way to enter a new home in my book.

I'm going to get the Zilla today and setup the tub to monitor temps until Thursday. Then replace the mat and thermostat eventually, and keep the Zillas as backups.. Good plan?

[KMG]

Herpstat ships fast. You might call them and see how soon you could get it. You may also check Amazon as I've seen Herpstat on there recently. May ship prime.

Until then buy a $10 dimmer from the hardware store.

[Viper0hr]

Herpstat ships fast. You might call them and see how soon you could get it. You may also check Amazon as I've seen Herpstat on there recently. May ship prime.

Until then buy a $10 dimmer from the hardware store.

This.
Just get the Herpstat now (Worth every penny, and save $30 you would spend on the cheapo one) and use a "lamp" dimmer until then. You want to have the tank ready ahead of time anyways so it'll give you time to get the temps right.