thermostats

what is a reliable and good thermostat for keeping temps up? any recomendations? i need to buy one, and since i'm going to be getting an animal plastics cage soon (yay!), i'm going all out and want to make sure everything is as perfect as can be. i'm also going to head over to wal-mart to pick up one of those acu-rite temp things i hear so much about...but i need a good thermostat. and then what else do i need to set it up properly?-i'm thinking of ordering the belly heat option in my cage. is there anything specific i need? all help is very much appreciated!

I think, for the most part, people reccomend 4 brands.

Non-proportional (meaning they switch on and off):
--Johnsons (~$75)
--Ranco (~$75)

Proportional:
--Helix (~$130)
--Herpstat (~$110)

If you'll be running flexwatt, I think most people reccomend getting a proportional vs an on/off. But someone can correct me if I'm wrong on that one.

I personally use a Herpstat--and so far, so good :)

Yea go with the helix dbs 1000 thats if u have flexwatt ran alot of people use them and really easy to use. there about $140 bucks and there worth the money. I got 3' flexwatt, helix dbs 1000 and as soon as i get up to walmart im going to buy that acurite theremometer its like 13 bucks thats just my :2cent: hope every thing works out for ya.