I'm having a heck of a time with heating

Ok, I plan on purchasing a BP soon and am finding out that heating in a glass aquarium is much more complicated than I originally thought. How do you do this effectively? What do you recommend? From reading some FAQ's, I was thinking the following:

2 Ranco thermostats controlling 1 UTH each (one on warm side (92 degrees), one on cool side (82 degrees)).
1 ceramic heat emitter on top of tank hooked to Ranco that is regulating the warm side.

Now what I would like to do is use a nice proportional thermostat like a Helix but I don't want to purchase 2 of these to work with the plan I just described because that is a lot of money. There has got to be a better way of having the proper temps.

What is your setup? What equipment do you use for the proper temp gradients?
:confused: :confused: :confused:

1 UTH (warm side)
1 Infrared light (warm side)
1 Herpstat with probe under warm hide
1 Accurite thermometer/hygrometer with probe under warm hide
screen lid aluminum foiled held down with ducttape with opening for lamp
a/c in the house set at 75

I manage perfect temp gradient and humidity 84~ 94~ with 55% humidity.

You could buy a Herpstat II which would run both heat sources of the one unit. They are about $200 but well worth it from what I have reead.

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Originally Posted by BostonMacK

You could buy a Herpstat II which would run both heat sources of the one unit. They are about $200 but well worth it from what I have reead.

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Save the 200.00 bucks set it up like this

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=32800

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

Save the 200.00 bucks set it up like this

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=32800

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yea, i have read all that but i am looking for something more precise. I think i'll look at the herpstat II with dual heating pads (one cool, one warm). I don't want to skimp on the supplies, especially the thermostat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by clawlan

yea, i have read all that but i am looking for something more precise. I think i'll look at the herpstat II with dual heating pads (one cool, one warm). I don't want to skimp on the supplies, especially the thermostat.

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If only more beginners started like this. :-)

i wouldn't get a CHE unless your house is going to be very cold. the 2 UTH should work fine with a covered screen. two pieces of 11" flexwatt with the herpstat II or the 2 rancos and your going to be set. or you can do what i mentioned before with a ranco for the warm side and a cheap zoomed for the cool side.

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Originally Posted by slartibartfast

If only more beginners started like this. :-)

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i wish i started like this... i took the easy/cheap road and ended up probably costing me more in the long run.

how does one use flexwatt? Just set the tank on top of it? Or does it stick to the bottom of the tank? Should the tank be propped up so that there is a little room for airflow under the tank (like recommended with heating pads)? Do you recommend heat tape over heat pads? And my last question, when using heat tape, how should I arrange it under the tank? 1/3 warm side, 1/3 nothing, 1/3 cool side? or should it be 1/2 warm side, 1/2 cool side?