Vote for BP.Net for the 2013 Forum of the Year! Click here for more info.

» Site Navigation

» Home
 > FAQ

» Online Users: 531

0 members and 531 guests
No Members online
Most users ever online was 47,180, 07-16-2025 at 05:30 PM.

» Today's Birthdays

» Stats

Members: 75,905
Threads: 249,104
Posts: 2,572,106
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
Welcome to our newest member, Pattyhud
  • 07-26-2009, 09:54 PM
    I<3Dreamsicles
    Are these good thermostats?
    http://www.petco.com/product/108340/...t=OnSiteSearch

    its a zilla "temperature controller" and they had them at the local petco for $50.

    Also can someone tell me whats with the prices. the expensive one does less watts but is smaller? (im guessing this is the one they had at the store)
    does anyone know the difference between the two? Like if its the same product why is one so huge... unless theyre counting the cord? :confused:

    im pretty sure the $50 one had a probe... BUT the one that says 1000watts on the package in the pictures, is the one that they want $50 for at the store.... idk im really confused... :rolleye2:

    also the bigger looking one (500watts) one had 3 outlets on it for three different heating elements i guess. but i cant tell if the cheaper one has the same stuff, and or probe.
  • 07-26-2009, 09:59 PM
    mrshawt
    Re: Are these good thermostats?
    No, unfortunately they are P.O.S.'s.

    If you're looking for a cheap but reliable tstat, look up "ZooMed Repti temp 500r." Much better for a small price of $30 or so at most websites.

    Or...if you're looking for a higher price range, check out the Ranco or Johnson tstats here.

    Or better yet are the Herpstat and Helix.

    But I use a 500r and recommend it. Just make sure it has a backup, like a $10 Lutron 300W lamp dimmer in case it fails (true of any tstat regardless of price).
  • 07-26-2009, 10:11 PM
    I<3Dreamsicles
    Re: Are these good thermostats?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mrshawt View Post
    No, unfortunately they are P.O.S.'s.

    If you're looking for a cheap but reliable tstat, look up "ZooMed Repti temp 500r." Much better for a small price of $30 or so at most websites.

    Or...if you're looking for a higher price range, check out the Ranco or Johnson tstats here.

    Or better yet are the Herpstat and Helix.

    But I use a 500r and recommend it. Just make sure it has a backup, like a $10 Lutron 300W lamp dimmer in case it fails (true of any tstat regardless of price).

    Yeah i guess that would be better then buying one of these zilla things.... I wanted one of the 500r's but petsmart only has them online... idk. my parents are weird about buying online? or offline. what ever it would be...

    Can the 500r only do one heat source at a time? Also whats the wattage rating on it?

    Ill try to get one asap. like today. because i need one. My UTH is doing bad... it heats the substrate perfect but if I touch the glass at the bottom it it HOT. cant even hold my finger there for over 5 seconds... That wouldnt be good.... So ive been keeping it off, or turning it on to warm up then unplugging it.... :oops:
  • 07-26-2009, 10:14 PM
    mrshawt
    Re: Are these good thermostats?
    The 500r has two plugs to control two different heating devices but will control them to the same temp. The wattage might be 500W but I'm not sure. Look at ZooMed's website and they have the product manual.
  • 07-26-2009, 10:26 PM
    I<3Dreamsicles
    Re: Are these good thermostats?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mrshawt View Post
    The 500r has two plugs to control two different heating devices but will control them to the same temp. The wattage might be 500W but I'm not sure. Look at ZooMed's website and they have the product manual.

    ok thanks..

    :oops: yeah 500w would make sence :rofl:
  • 07-26-2009, 10:40 PM
    I<3Dreamsicles
    Re: Are these good thermostats?
    they dont say on the site but im gonna say its 500watts.....
  • 07-26-2009, 11:38 PM
    Blue Apple Herps
    Re: Are these good thermostats?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mrshawt View Post
    The 500r has two plugs to control two different heating devices but will control them to the same temp. The wattage might be 500W but I'm not sure. Look at ZooMed's website and they have the product manual.

    You can plug in a strip outlet and it can control more than that, just so long as they are all identical and you don't exceed the total wattage that the t-stat can handle.

    As for the OP, for a few bucks more you can get a Johnson or Ranco t-stat. They also show up used sometimes in the classifieds for not much $$.
  • 07-27-2009, 12:11 AM
    Joe Cope
    Re: Are these good thermostats?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mrshawt View Post
    No, unfortunately they are P.O.S.'s.

    If you're looking for a cheap but reliable tstat, look up "ZooMed Repti temp 500r." Much better for a small price of $30 or so at most websites.

    Or...if you're looking for a higher price range, check out the Ranco or Johnson tstats here.

    Or better yet are the Herpstat and Helix.

    But I use a 500r and recommend it. Just make sure it has a backup, like a $10 Lutron 300W lamp dimmer in case it fails (true of any tstat regardless of price).

    I am actually gonna buy a ZooMed Repti temp 500r online right now. Haha.
  • 07-27-2009, 12:12 AM
    I<3Dreamsicles
    Re: Are these good thermostats?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by blueapplepaste View Post
    You can plug in a strip outlet and it can control more than that, just so long as they are all identical and you don't exceed the total wattage that the t-stat can handle.

    As for the OP, for a few bucks more you can get a Johnson or Ranco t-stat. They also show up used sometimes in the classifieds for not much $$.

    wow i cant believe i couldnt think of plugging in a strip outlet....
    what do you mean identical?

    If i got a more expensive one I would probably get the ranco ETC one

    http://www.reptilebasics.com/Ranco-E...0-p-16171.html

    what do you have to do with the wiring? the $60 ranco and johnson ones say you have to wire it.

    ehh. i probably dont really need it, but i might be able to use it in the future...

    what temp should i keep the UTH on during the day then? or all the time? 85º?

    is the reptile basics a good place to buy it from? + its $70 w/ shipping.
  • 07-27-2009, 12:22 AM
    mrshawt
    Re: Are these good thermostats?
    You want a warm side of 92-94, with a cool side/ambient above 75 but below 85. Also, you don't need any kind of night drop.

    And yes, Reptile Basics is one of the best sites you will find. When it says unwired, it means you need to wire in a power strip to it. It requires little skill in electronics know-how. But for extra moolah, you can have Rich from Reptile Basics wire it for you.
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.1