on /off thermostat

hi ive been a ghost on the website for about 3 months now and im looking to get a BP ive had my set up now for a month now and before i get my first BP just wanted abit of advise. The on /off thermostat ive got gets the temp up to 91.5 then goes off and the temp drops to 88 which takes about 15 mins to drop before it goes back on. Is this drop in temp then getting back up to temp ok for a BP or would it be better to get a different thermostat. im using a heatmatt and the the tub im useing is http://www.bluelizardreptiles.co.uk/.../9632100002224 Medium - 24" x 8" x 15". Ive tried a plastic tub but it just wasn't holding heat any help would be greatly appreciated

Many on here will recommend you getting a proportional thermostat, which keeps your UTH or lamp, whatever at a constant temp. Bp's don't like sudden temperature changes. But a 2-3 degree drop, isn't a big deal, in my opinion.

I think proportionals are better in the long run but my boaphiles are controlled by a double Ranco. Meaning if one malfunctions, the second one will turn on before the temp goes more than 2 degrees either direction.

The on/off therms like Ranco can be annoying due to the loud "click" every time it turns on.

Yes, proportional thermostats would be much better in maintaining a constant temperature (and in prices too:rolleye2:) but in my opinion on/off thermostats would be fine as long as there arent any drastic and/or sudden changes. Furthermore, the snakes bodies are much better at storing heat than the tub and thermometer probes so theyd lose/gain heat much slower. In this respect I'd think that their body temperature would barely fluctuate, and probably be unnoticable to them. I'd say your temps are fine.

Hello, and :welcome: to BP.net.

You will be fine with an on/off thermostat. What kind do you have?

this swing effect is quite common. I personally don't like that much of a shift. There are a handful of solutions.

1 Proportional T-stat. The base models run about 105-135 $ it will resolve that problem.

2 heat the room up to 80ºF that will help slow the over shooting and slow response of the t-stat you have to the temps.

More thermal mass, glass works quite well it is slower to heat than plastic tubs and the temps inside will not raise as high as quickly and will take longer to cool down. You could use either the uth on a sheet of glass (polished edges in case it will prevent cuts) with the tub on that or just use a tank, the open tops have humidly issues that can be resolved by a cheap humidifier or misting. The tank can be easily turned on its side as well that will solve humidity issues as well.
Personally heating issues take priority (burns and failure to digest properly) over humidity (poor shedding)

I hope this helps some.
A

the stat i have atm is
http://www.888reptiles.co.uk/product...ctGroupID=1772

the one ill look to getting
http://www.bluelizardreptiles.co.uk/.../9632100000041

the tank im using has 2 pains of glass in the bottom with with a little gap between them to fit the UTH in

Quote:

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Originally Posted by podge

the stat i have atm is
http://www.888reptiles.co.uk/product...ctGroupID=1772

the one ill look to getting
http://www.bluelizardreptiles.co.uk/.../9632100000041

the tank im using has 2 pains of glass in the bottom with with a little gap between them to fit the UTH in

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Those are two I've never heard of before. It's cool to check out the different equipment that you guys have over in Europe. I'm going to have to go to the Hamm show one of these days, just to see what kind of cool equipment you guys have that we don't have here.