Heating question

[NickP]

Ok, I ordered bunch of stuff from ReptileSupply and 2 thermostats from LLLreptiles (which delivered in 1.5 days after ordering. how crazy was that)

So as of now I already have the 2 Alife thermostats. Still waiting for my UTHs and other stuff I ordered. The problem is that right now I can't regulate the heat on both sides so I tried to bump the temp up to 92-94 on the warm side but it's not working. I just have Fluker's clamp lamp with a 75 watt light bulb heating the tank right now. Before I plugged the thermostat in, my old thermometer(stick on one) always showed 90ish, but the new Acurite digital one shows 82-83 all the time. So i set the temp to 95 on the thermostat but the temp hasn't gone up much. It still fluctuates between 84-85. Am I doing something wrong? Does it take a while for the thermostat to kick in? How accurate are Acurite digital thermometers? Do I have to cover the top screen of my vivarium(its glass tank)

[SatanicIntention]

The ALife's aren't very safe at all. I would recommend returning them and just spending your money on a quality digital thermostat, or at least a non-reptile brand dimmer, such as a Lutron(Home Depot/Lowe's). Those things cost about $25 apiece right? Well, you could just save another $25 and get a quality thermostat that won't cause harm to your snake(snake can go off-feed from the massive fluctuations, fluctuations cause a respiratory infection, thermostat eventually fails and causes burns, etc).

I've used one of those ALife things before and it fluctuated a good 8-10 degrees. I tossed it, got a Herpstat 2, and never looked back.

Where do you have the probes sitting? That type of thermostat is not going to work well with a lamp, because it will be turning it on and off constantly, ruining the bulb quickly. A dimmer would work better on the lamp.

And yes, if you have a screen top, you need to get it covered with some foil and tape so the heat and humidity isn't escaping.

[Thedotw]

Go here for your glass tank question- It helped a lot of people including me, and IT REALLY REALLY WORKS.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=32800

[NickP]

The ALife's aren't very safe at all. I would recommend returning them and just spending your money on a quality digital thermostat, or at least a non-reptile brand dimmer, such as a Lutron(Home Depot/Lowe's). Those things cost about $25 apiece right? Well, you could just save another $25 and get a quality thermostat that won't cause harm to your snake(snake can go off-feed from the massive fluctuations, fluctuations cause a respiratory infection, thermostat eventually fails and causes burns, etc).

I've used one of those ALife things before and it fluctuated a good 8-10 degrees. I tossed it, got a Herpstat 2, and never looked back.

Where do you have the probes sitting? That type of thermostat is not going to work well with a lamp, because it will be turning it on and off constantly, ruining the bulb quickly. A dimmer would work better on the lamp.

And yes, if you have a screen top, you need to get it covered with some foil and tape so the heat and humidity isn't escaping.

I'm getting two UTHs this monday so hopefully those will keep the temp from fluctuating. I also don't have anything covering the top so maybe that is why the temp keeps changing (perhaps adjusting to room temp)

Go here for your glass tank question- It helped a lot of people including me, and IT REALLY REALLY WORKS.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=32800

That's exactly where I got all my info, and that person recommended 2 Alife thermostats.

[NickP]

by the way, herpstat is a little too expensive for me. I'll be willing to spend upto 80$ for the thermometers (2 of them, or 1 that can regulate both coolside and warm side) Can you guys recommend something?

[NickP]

The ALife's aren't very safe at all. I would recommend returning them and just spending your money on a quality digital thermostat, or at least a non-reptile brand dimmer, such as a Lutron(Home Depot/Lowe's). Those things cost about $25 apiece right? Well, you could just save another $25 and get a quality thermostat that won't cause harm to your snake(snake can go off-feed from the massive fluctuations, fluctuations cause a respiratory infection, thermostat eventually fails and causes burns, etc).

I've used one of those ALife things before and it fluctuated a good 8-10 degrees. I tossed it, got a Herpstat 2, and never looked back.

Where do you have the probes sitting? That type of thermostat is not going to work well with a lamp, because it will be turning it on and off constantly, ruining the bulb quickly. A dimmer would work better on the lamp.

And yes, if you have a screen top, you need to get it covered with some foil and tape so the heat and humidity isn't escaping.

just wanted to say thnx. I tried covering the top with towels and the temp jumped to a nice 90 F. just need to get some tinfoil now.

[Kagez28]

i would go with any thing BUT those alife thermostats...

i have read plenty of threads about them failing. not good.

i would return them and go with a ranco or a johnson control from reptilebasics.com.

[NickP]

i would go with any thing BUT those alife thermostats...

i have read plenty of threads about them failing. not good.

i would return them and go with a ranco or a johnson control from reptilebasics.com.

how expensive are they? If i return these 2 I will lose the 9$ delivery fee + 15% restocking unless I get store credit at LLLreptiles.

So far the thermostat has been OK. I set it at around 95 and it seems to turn off the temp everytime it goes over 93 until it cools down a bit. The other side I dont have anything heating but it still is 79-80. Im waiting for my UTHs to come in few days.

[Kagez28]

i love my herpstat ($110) cause it keeps the temps with in a degree. i keep it at 95.5 and it is rock solid 92-93.

i also have some johnson controls ($75) which will heat up to the set 96 and shut off, then let it drop to 94 and turn back on. this is ok and keeps things in the 93-90 range.

if you sure the search function and look up thermostats you'll get tons of info on them. personally i wouldn't keep my snakes on anything less then johnson controls (or rancos if i had to). if i had the funds my whole rack would be on herpstats thought.

it's up to you wether you want to take the risk.