HELP! Thermostat/UTH HELP!

So, I recently brought home my first BP, and I thought I had done plenty of research. I also asked the people at the store a THOUSAND questions each. Even asked them if I missed anything and they laughed at me. I'd been prowling websites, reading books, talking to reptile store managers, but none of them mentioned buying a thermostat.

When I set up the tank I put the UTH (S) on the one side and covered it with about 2 inches of Aspen. I had put the probe about a centimetre deep in the Aspen because I didn't think my bp would go much deeper than that. It read between 87-90, never higher or lower. Recently I've been browsing this website more and more because my BP hasn't left his cool side.

I read a few posts saying that you are supposed to put the thermometer probe ON THE GLASS. That the bps can and generally will burrow down and burn themselves if its not regulated. Worried- I immediately did so and found that on the glass it went up to 115. I was so mortified and worried I immediately unplugged it. Luckily it's summer and my apartment is about 80F right now.

I am going to go buy a thermostat tomorrow even if I have to put it on credit. I would like to know which is best and most accurate, also how to attach it to my UTH which is an Exo Terra Desert Heat Wave.

I feel so awful and stupid for not knowing. I lifted the hide and it doesn't look like he dug in or anything. I'm tempted to take him out and check him over but at the same time it's only his 2nd day here and i don't want to stress him out. What should I do?

Get a hydrofarm online. It works great.

Most stores will only have the "major" brands like the repti 500r which I do I have one. It doesnt indicate actual temp but a dial you can zero in on using a temp gun.

Your best bet would be to live with whatever thermostat you can find till you can go to a show or order. For value I like the hydrofarm because it has a digital temp indicator.

The probe showed go between the heat source and the mat. The thermostat plugs into the power source and the mat plugs into the thermostat. I like plugging in a power-strip to the thermostat.

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Originally Posted by rperry03

Most stores will only have the "major" brands like

The probe showed go between the heat source and the mat. The thermostat plugs into the power source and the mat plugs into the thermostat. I like plugging in a power-strip to the thermostat.

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my heat source is the UTH, so should I also put the probe on the glass over the UTH? And the thermostat can plug into the ExoTerra Heat Wave Mat?

I suggest this over anything you can possibly find at a pet store. Don't freak out.
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...1645348&sr=8-1

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Originally Posted by fr3nchvanilla

my heat source is the UTH, so should I also put the probe on the glass over the UTH? And the thermostat can plug into the ExoTerra Heat Wave Mat?

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^^^what leah said^^^

The probe goes on top of the mat in between the mat and glass, the mat plugs into the thermostat, and the thermostat plugs into the wall.

Is that, in your opinion, the best thermostat to get? I'd rather just get the best instead of having to upgrade later. I already feel horrible for not knowing. Also, is it only available online?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rperry03

^^^what leah said^^^

The probe goes on top of the mat in between the mat and glass, the mat plugs into the thermostat, and the thermostat plugs into the wall.

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Thank you, I guess I was just having trouble understanding.

I always put a reptile carpet over the spot with the UTH, that way they will never be right up against the bottom of the tub with the UTH. My heat probe is on the carpet, then i use a temp gun to get the temp on top of the substrate.

No, the best thermostat you can get you will pay over $100 for. If you search thermostats on this site you can find the best. IMO it's a Herpstat, but I use Johnsons and that Hydrofarm without issue so far. It's cheap, and fast shipping so it's usually what I recommend.