Budget rheostats/thermostats for ZooMed UTH?

I'm quite tight on cash right now and I want to know some reliable rheostats for a ZooMed small UTH that are relatively cheap - also, preferably locally available at places like Wal-Mart and Home Depot. Thanks in advance.

Also, would general electrical dimmers such as: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-3...5?N=5yc1vZc34i work fine with a UTH? Apologies for double posting, edit button isn't appearing on the OP.

Your gonna get suggestions for these http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

They can be found at some WalMarts and on their website they have a list of retailers, maybe they have one near you. I have had one before but it failed after just a few months so I do not like suggesting it to he honest.

I now use Herpstats and have a 1, 2, and 4. They are awesome. The Herpstat 1 is not to expensive and will last you a long time. They also have a Basic which is cheaper. Check out the link to compare the models. I believe in doing it right the first time, that may cost more up front but saves more in the long run.

http://www.spyderrobotics.com/store/

Dimmers can work in a pinch but they are not ideal. A dimmer is dumb and does not know when the temp in the cage rises or falls. It delivers the same amount of power to the uth at all times so if your room temp goes up your uth temp is going to go up, maybe to a critical temp. The tstat on the other hand knows that the temp changed and adjust accordingly to keep your animals safe.

A good tstat is the best and most important thing to have when keeping reptiles. Dont be cheap and don't cut corners. Try to do it right the first time.

In my personal opinion "budget" and "thermostat" shouldn't be in the same sentence. When you get an animal you should be able to #1 afford it, and #2 provide it with the best care (and least risks). Please re-consider and perhaps getting an actually reliable thermostat (which aren't really "budget" - well, it depends what your budget is). If you can afford $100 (it's not that much to be honest) consider a herpstat from Spyder Robotics. My herpstats have allowed me to be a worry free owner for years.

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Originally Posted by Shintaro

Also, would general electrical dimmers such as: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-3...5?N=5yc1vZc34i work fine with a UTH? Apologies for double posting, edit button isn't appearing on the OP.

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Yes, they will work short-term while you wait for a decent thermostat to show up and I have done so, but only in cases where the ambient temperature of the enclosure doesn't fluctuate because an RHP on a t-stat is controlling that, even if the room temperature swings.

You could purchase on those hydrofarms or Big apples thermostat until you can afford a Herpstat OR even better go to a local reptil forum, here in Canada we have reptilescanada.com and ALOT of people sell extra thermostats, for example someone is selling 2 Vivarium electronics for 100$ each or $150 for both. Thats prolly the second best option, if you cant afford a new 1, look at buying a used (most still work always make sure they work before you buy)


And from here on out, try to save 10-20$ a week (skip lunch 2 days a week) and put in a piggybank in 2-3 months boom you can get yourself a nice brand new herpstat and your snake will be happy as ever

Careful with cutting corner because of being tight on cash and wanting to get something cheap, burn are not cheap to treat ;)

A reliable thermostat is the single most important piece of equipment you need and it is worse the investment.