Zilla 1000 tstat all over the place!!

Iv had my setup goin for about 2 months now. I have a Zilla 1000 hooked up to a UTH and have it set for about 93 ish. Somtimes i find that its reading up to 96 and dropping to 89. Somtimes its always bang on. What is making it act like this? Room temp? I have my tstat probe inside the tank, under the sub[cocofiber], with a digital thermometer probe beside it.The hide is also overtop the probes and UTH.

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Originally Posted by yeroc1982

... I have my tstat probe inside the tank, under the sub[cocofiber]...

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That is what is causing the problem. The thermostat probe should be mounted directly on the heat source. Try putting it between the heater and the glass. That way it is always getting a direct temperature reading from the heater. That should fix the issue...

zilla 1000? not sure if its proportional like a herpstat or helix or if its an on/off type like a johnson or ranco. But my guess is if its zilla then its probably an on/off type. The on/off type of thermostats work by turning themselves off once a desired temp is reached and then turning back on once it gets below the temp. For example if your desired temp is 92 and your on/off thermo is at say 94, it will shut off until the temps get to around 89 or so and then turn back on, and it will keep doing this continously. A thermostat like a helix or like the herpstat(the one i have) will stay at the desired temp by adjusting the power output of the heating source. Proportional thermostats are definately better and will stay in a closer temperature range, but the trade off is the price. I have one herpstat that is used for my corn snake that is set for 85 and it rarely varies and if it does its by +/-.3 degrees. The on/off thermostats will usually have a much greater temperature range but will usually get the job done. That might be the reason for the temp difference. Oh and to add all of my thermostat probes are hot glued to the inside of the enclosure. I have heard of putting it directly on the heat source but this has worked for me and I've had no temp issues. Hope it answered your question

I have a zilla 500 and it did the same thing until I put the probe directly on the heater, ie, in between the heater and the glass. Now it's almost dead on!

Sorry but the probe should be in tank so that it can read the temperature as the reptile feels it.

By placing it under the tank you not only get the full force of the heat but you get more than what it is adjusted for since there will be heat build up from the small area and heat cant escape.

Yes the variance is from the room itself/day vs night/ warm day vs cold. The only way around this is to have an enclosed rack system or maybe insulate 3 sides of the tank with foam core.

My thermometer probe is in the tank on the glass and it reads 94 degrees F. My thermostat prob is in between the glass and the UTH on the outside of the tub. I used to have it on the inside, and the temp would fluctuate from between 86 and 100 degrees F. I don't know why, but that's what it would do. Now that it's on the outside, it's dead on. I also found that the temp of the thermostat wouldn't read correctly before, either. There's a dial on it and the temp was never what it said it was supposed to be. Now it's almost dead on. I'm going to do what works to keep my temps on, and if that means not following the directions that came with the package, that's what I'll do! I was constantly adjusting the temp up or down a few degrees. Now I don't have to touch it! It's perfect!

So now i dont know what to do? Tstat probe on outside i think im gona try, between glass and heat pad, and ill put my thermometer probe inside under substrate on the heat pad and adjust i guess.

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Originally Posted by yeroc1982

So now i dont know what to do? Tstat probe on outside i think im gona try, between glass and heat pad, and ill put my thermometer probe inside under substrate on the heat pad and adjust i guess.

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I have this same thermostat and mine is set up this way and the temp never fluctuates more than 1.5 degrees. Try it this way and you should be good to go.

So I switched up my heatpad to flexwatt and seems to be alot better. Still have my tstat probe on inside and ne'er goes above 93 now. Think the other heatpad I was using was garbage.