Hydrofarm Swing Temp

So, after reading the write-up that Aaron (Serpent Merchant) did, and having that odd drop in temperatures yesterday, I've got a question.

I went ahead a purchased a Hydrofarm. The swing temp on that thing, how far off does it have to be? Say I want my tank at 90 degrees. How much cooler does it have to get before the sensor or whatever kicks in and it heats back up to 90?

Any other interesting info anyone wants to throw out there in the Hydrofarm before it arrives in the mail would be appreciated. I'd rather know now than have to be tinkering with it and disturbing my snakey snake.

Once I've got that, I'm gonna' hook it up to my UTH and then put my dimmer on the heat-lamp. Heck of a lot more efficient that way, right?

One other question. I was told 75 degrees is basically too cold for a BP (or at least entering the danger zone). How hot is too hot?

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Originally Posted by BWyant

One other question. I was told 75 degrees is basically too cold for a BP (or at least entering the danger zone). How hot is too hot?

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Yes 75 is too cold, ambient should be about 80-85 and a hot spot of no more than 95.

The hydrofarm has a swing of 2 or 3 degrees I think, so that means that the heat won't come back on until the probe is reading 87 or 88 if it is set to 90 degrees.

Yes i believe its a 2 degree swing switch. The Hydrofarm thermostat will kick on and heat source back up when the probe reads two degrees lower then set temperature. They're pretty simple not much to them but they work pretty well i used one for a long time.

I believe the hydrofarms are 3 degrees below the set point and one above. They also have a large accuracy range (+/-2ºC about 4ºF up or down). Part of the issue is not as obvious or as easy to detail. The probe is metal and slower to react to changes than most. This can add to the swing fairly dramatically, a heat source that is quick to heat and with a thin enclosure material the heat source heats faster than the probe responds so instead of shutting off just above the set point it continues to over shoot this as the probe starts to change the same on the cooling cycle the probe having more thermal mass than the similar sized part of enclosure it takes longer to cool thus dropping farther than the expected swing. Typically a cool room temp and a thin wall material like a tub accentuate the 'swing' producing higher and lower than even the 4º range. Add to the error potential of the stat this can be exceptional (set at 90 the stat will shut off at 91 and on at 87º this is correctly functioning and perfectly calibrated. I have never seen one (I own 7) that was even approaching correct temps. This adds to the issue, I would recommend a good accurate thermometer one of at least 1º +/- accuracy. sadly they can be quite costly thus reducing or eliminating any savings.

Well... Hopefully the Hydrofarm attached to the UTH and the dimmer on the lamp will be a step up. We'll see what happens. After this last little heat spike and seeing how variable my temps really are, I've gotta' step it up somehow. I can't imagine Monty is enjoying the temperature swings he's experiencing right now, going from 93ish in the morning down to 83ish at night on the hot side. There any stress signs that I should be looking for as a result of this? The last day he's just been in his hide, but I did feed him for what was apparently the first time in four weeks the other day.

I guess after this upgrade, the next step is a new apartment, a rack and a Herp-Derp-4. :P

Thanks for the info, ya'll.