UTH and Thermostats What Should I Set it to

Im running a UTH with a thermostat. I have the probe sandwiched between the UTH and the glass bottom. On top I have a quarter inch to half inch of reptibark. What should I set the thermmostat to to get bellyheat of 85 degrees? How much is lost through the glass? Is 89 degrees too high to set thermostat to?

Your going to have to play with it. I usually start at the target number and slowly adjust it up until the surface temp is where I want it.

So set it to 85 and check it a couple hours later. Adjust it and check in a few more hours. Keep doing that until the tanks surface temp is where you want it. Just know the temp takes a good while to adjust. Don't think 15 minutes is enough.

If you have something to measure heat with just set the t-stat to 85, measure the temp on the substrate after a little while and slowly adjust the t-stat up until you get the desired temp on the substrate.

Different t-stats and uths have variances. So definitely pick up a temp gun of some type to get accurate measurements and adjust as needed.

Here is a good thermometer to test your surface temps.

http://www.acurite.com/environment/t...red-probe.html

I bought an infared temperature gun. But i am struggling with it. Seems my substrate temp is always changing. I am using sort of an "off brand" (petsmart house brand) UTH. Maybe thats why. It's appearing that the temperature variues on the bottom of the UTH.

Im using this

http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/produ...14455488dt.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c...mage_20980.jpg

Are you running a proportional tstat?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KMG

Are you running a proportional tstat?

---

No.... I realize I may need one.

I am using these. $15 dollar thermostats Called STC-1000. I have 2 wired in a box. 1 controls UTH other CHE. I am finding they work well but they are constantly cycling everything on and off. Thinking about a herpstat 2 but at $200. It has to be WAY better than my current system. I could run 2 dimmers in between the tstat and the heaters to keep the cycling down.

http://img.rakuten.com/PIC/20623313/...0/20623313.jpg

Herpstat2 would be good. They are great units. I have two 1s, a 2, and a 4. I love them all.

Once you get one your temps will stay steady.

200 bucks is hard to swallow. I just missed their yearly sale too.