I've had it!!!

I'm so mad at myself. I got a 40 watt bulb to try and heat up my warm side. Thinking it was a low wattage, I put a towel on top of the lid and left for work.

Got home, checked the temps. 103 on the warm side, 90 on the cool side!!!:rage: I feel like such an idiot.

I'm going to bite the bullet, I made some money today and I'm going out tomorrow and buying a thermostat, that rheostat is not cutting it for his heat pad.

I want to buy a Zoo-Med Repti-temp 500R. Can anyone tell me exactlly how it works?

Does anybody even have this thermostat?

I'm sorry but I have a couple of Helix's. Did it come with a manual to read? Could you call the place of purchase for some instructions??

Ive never used it, but a few members here say they aren't worth the money.

I've used it, and it's better thought of as a rheostat. It will flucuate and keep you on your toes unless your room is an incredibly constant temperature.

It only has a small dial with a color indicated temperature; I used a felt tip permanent marker to mark where the ideal temps were.

Might as well save your money for a helix or other thermostat. You will want one in the end.

I bought one when i first got my setup. let me say this, less than a week later i bought a Helix and a Johnson thermostat. if you are low on cash and need a quick fix, the reptitherm 500 is the best of rheostats but i strongly suggest to get a thermostat in the near future.

the reptitherm has a dial that turns all the way from low to high. place the probe in and you have to toy with it for a little while.

I have two of these running on my racks and im very happy with them. Id say, if youre only using the T-stat on one tank, just get one of these guys unless you are completely willing to purchase one of the more expensive models.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's impossible to regulate temps and humidity in an open top container. Even with a thermostat!!!! You should look at some links on how to cover and insulate the walls and the TOP of your enclosure. A towel is not an effective cover. Think about making the tank airtight first. Then make holes for air to enter the cool side and flow out the warm side. My BP is very happy and healthy and growing like a weed. She is in a twenty gallon long tank with a single small uth pad and that's it. No bulb, no misting, no towels!!!! And the temps and humitity are spot-on all the time. Take a look at how tubs are set up. They are just airtight containers until someone drills a few holes in them. That's why they work so well.

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Originally Posted by Jenn

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's impossible to regulate temps and humidity in an open top container. Even with a thermostat!!!! You should look at some links on how to cover and insulate the walls and the TOP of your enclosure. A towel is not an effective cover. Think about making the tank airtight first. Then make holes for air to enter the cool side and flow out the warm side. My BP is very happy and healthy and growing like a weed. She is in a twenty gallon long tank with a single small uth pad and that's it. No bulb, no misting, no towels!!!! And the temps and humitity are spot-on all the time. Take a look at how tubs are set up. They are just airtight containers until someone drills a few holes in them. That's why they work so well.

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a towel on mine works fine. i think its a matter of what room its in and temperature in the house plays more of a role.

Ranco or Johnson is the cheapest that I would recommend. The rest are usually made in China crap. You will be more frustrated when you buy it and still have problems. Been there done that.