Thermostat Question

I was wondering if one Helix DBS1000 will control UTH's that heat to different temps? I have 4, 10 Gallon tanks with ZooMed UTH's, and each tank is operating with its' own separate Zilla thermostat now. I want to move to a proportional, I just can't afford separate proportionals, and don't want to run into the same problem I had with using one on/off to regulate heat in multiple tanks with each UTH heating to different temps. Thanks!

I don't know about the Helix, but the Herpstat 2 and 4 can regulate multiple enclosures at different temps.

The Helix only has one probe so it will give all the uth the same power a the one with the temp probe. If they are different sizes or just have a big temp differences between your uth I doubt it well run them at the same temp. If every variable was the same in every tank it should work but the only way to see is to test it. Take your animals out if you do because you have no way of knowing what the uth will do running that way.

The Herpstat4 controls four items and has a temp probe for each so each device is accurate. Its $340 on most websites.

I don't understand why my UTH's have such a difference in temps..I ordered them all (same brand/same size) at the same time from the same distributor, and this is what I get :confusd: Now I have to buy the Helix and test it out knowing it may not work, which could be a waste, or spend a fortune on the Herpstat 4 which is something I shouldn't even need for four simple tanks :mad:

Why do you need to change your setup? If you have them on four tstats why change it to one?

The Herpstar4 is really a nice unit and has alot of nice features. For example it has high and low temp alarms. Its also much cheaper than buying four separate units of the same quality.

If all of your animals are in identical set ups with identical temps/heat mats, then using one thermostat is fine. You can plug in a power strip into the single thermostat and plug in all of your heating elements to that power strip. Just make sure everything is the same. The herpstat starting model is only $99 and is proportional.
If your animals require different temps, then you should buy a herpstat 4.

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Originally Posted by satomi325

If all of your animals are in identical set ups with identical temps/heat mats, then using one thermostat is fine. You can plug in a power strip into the single thermostat and plug in all of your heating elements to that power strip. Just make sure everything is the same. The herpstat starting model is only $99 and is proportional.
If your animals require different temps, then you should buy a herpstat 4.

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This was what I originally intended, however the heat mats do not heat to the same temps, throwing everything off, and leading me to this thread. Everything is the same (including the animals' ideal temps), with the exception of the temps to each individual tank, and I'm unsure why.

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Originally Posted by KMG

Why do you need to change your setup? If you have them on four tstats why change it to one?

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I am looking to go to a proportional without spending $300-$400 on 4 tanks.

I would try the Helix. I bet your current temps are different because of the tstats your using. Many people here have found that the lesser quality tstat, though the same, will show and produce different temps even when set up the same way.

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Originally Posted by KMG

I would try the Helix. I bet your current temps are different because of the tstats your using. Many people here have found that the lesser quality tstat, though the same, will show and produce different temps even when set up the same way.

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That's what I was thinking, but wanted more input before purchasing the new thermostat.

I contacted ZooMed and the rep said that she had never heard of trying to operate multiple units on one thermostat, and that she would not recommend that. She also could not explain the variance in each unit. I'm pretty impressed with ZooMed right now :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by TheLuckyGecko

I contacted ZooMed and the rep said that she had never heard of trying to operate multiple units on one thermostat, and that she would not recommend that.

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Sounds like you talked to a "winner" LOL
There will be a little temp variance but it shouldnt be huge. you can plug all the pads into a power strip and then plug the strip into the stat