Lesson learned.. get your proportional thermostats!!!

[danielwilu2525]

When I first started out I used a on/off switch thermostat for Sammy. I bought a heat temp gun and checked the hot spot temp. 77 DEGREES!! That thermostat didn't do anything! I'm glad it stayed lower at a lower temp than at higher temp, burns are nasty!! Just found a barely used Herpstat 1 for just $75. Moral of the story, please get GOOD PROPORTIONAL thermostats.

[EL-Ziggy]

I'm going to slightly disagree with you on this one Daniel. I've used multiple hydrofarm on/off thermostats without any issues for the last 5 years. I'm upgrading some enclosures and equipment soon and I'll probably get the Herpstat 4 or 6 because the enclosures will all be stacked but I found the hydrofarms very reliable. Granted they don't have the nighttime temperature drop and other bells and whistles that you get with the higher end Herpstat. I do agree that a good temp gun is a necessity.

[danielwilu2525]

I'm going to slightly disagree with you on this one Daniel. I've used multiple hydrofarm on/off thermostats without any issues for the last 5 years. I'm upgrading some enclosures and equipment soon and I'll probably get the Herpstat 4 or 6 because the enclosures will all be stacked but I found the hydrofarms very reliable. Granted they don't have the nighttime temperature drop and other bells and whistles that you get with the higher end Herpstat. I do agree that a good temp gun is a necessity.

I agree with you, but I didn't mean to target the hydrofarms. I've heard they are really really good. This is mainly targeting the others. My on/off thermostat was a (I think this is the name of it) apollo thermostat. At the time I wasn't aware of the hydro farm. I regret for not looking further more for the hydro farm.

[KMG]

I'm going to slightly disagree with you on this one Daniel. I've used multiple hydrofarm on/off thermostats without any issues for the last 5 years. I'm upgrading some enclosures and equipment soon and I'll probably get the Herpstat 4 or 6 because the enclosures will all be stacked but I found the hydrofarms very reliable. Granted they don't have the nighttime temperature drop and other bells and whistles that you get with the higher end Herpstat. I do agree that a good temp gun is a necessity.

Well then I'm just unlucky.

I bought one and it failed within two months. In the on position.

Im with the OP. It's a good tstat for me or nothing.

Great job OP.

[cchardwick]

I have a bunch of hydrofarm clones that I'm using, they do fail in the on position, I found out just last week! Also, I'm using temp probes that record high and low temps. The on/off hydrofarm thermostats have a range of about ten degrees, I set them at 88F and they range from 82F to 92F. I also have a VE-300, its proportional and the range is only about 3 degrees from the high to the low temp. I actually just ordered a couple Herpstat 4 thermostats so I can dial in each row in my rack and keep the temps real accurate with a probe on each level, also can vary from row to row if I have a different mix of snakes. I actually tried to run the whole stack with my VE-300 and there were huge differences between levels (with the probe on just one level).

[cletus]

I have 2 hydrofarms and they work well. I'll def be upgrading when my rack is done, but I'm impressed with them so far. They aren't sexy but they do their job.

[PitOnTheProwl]

I have several hydros that have been in use for a long time and still working.
Too many people think an on/off will hold a set temperature, that's not how they work.
I also have a Helix and a bunch of VEs that are still running strong too.

[KMG]

I bet yall wouldn't feel that way if one tried to cook your snake. I'll leave the Hydros for the plant people.

I realize all things have a point of failure but the point where mine failed left me with a terrible feeling that I never care to have again. I now enjoy knowing I have good equipment controlling my heat, especially when I leave them for over a week like I just did.

I will never again risk one of my snakes by using one. I'm also adding a WiFi camera to that room so I can check on things while I'm away. I already have some but it never dawned on me to put one in that room until this last trip.

I wish yall luck and hope yours continue to work without issue.

[Sauzo]

I think the low temp was on the users error, not the t-stat. I have Hydrofarms too and they have worked for a year fine. I only use them as backup though. The only real downside I see to them is they fail open. But for $35, hard to beat the price. With that said though, I only use Herpstats as my main t-stats. Have 2 Herpstats 1 and 2 redlines and 2 Herpstat 1 and 2 normal.

[ducjason]

Thanks for your story, i'm starting and i think i can learn something here