Heat Pad too HOT!

I also have to check mine every hour but am about to get my thermostat. Dimmers really suck if the heat changes in the room.

Kuzar, I use a lamp dimmer for my one and only tank and it is set very much below half way, how are you measuring the temps of the bottom of the tank/tub and above the substrate? I live by my temp gun, if your using a digital thermometer they are not as accurate with the hot spots and can be easily pushed out of the way by your bp and give inaccurate readings. I suggest the dimmer as a short term thing with a temp gun (tempguns.com has a great model on sale for $35), the dimmer won't protect your bp if it decides to short out or there's an issue with the power. A thermostat however, will.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

the dimmer won't protect your bp if it decides to short out or there's an issue with the power. A thermostat however, will.

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Actually, a t-stat will fault out to full power while a rheostat fault out open and no power will pass though.

Try this one on for size.
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...3126231&sr=1-1

i use the repti-temp 500r myself and although i have to monitor the temps VERY closely and adjust the thermostat every now and then, i really dont mind cuz it just gives me something to do.

It baffles me that one wouldn't want to purchase a thermostat to protect their pet. It's one of the single most important investments that you can make for your animal. When you calculate the cost in terms of the lifespan of your snake, it's just pennies a day investment.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Kuzar, I use a lamp dimmer for my one and only tank and it is set very much below half way, how are you measuring the temps of the bottom of the tank/tub and above the substrate? I live by my temp gun, if your using a digital thermometer they are not as accurate with the hot spots and can be easily pushed out of the way by your bp and give inaccurate readings. I suggest the dimmer as a short term thing with a temp gun (tempguns.com has a great model on sale for $35), the dimmer won't protect your bp if it decides to short out or there's an issue with the power. A thermostat however, will.

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I see, well I'm currently using one of those thermometer/hydrometer combos. I haven't yet recieved my snake (coming tomorrow), we'll see if it gets the job done. However, I do eventually want to get a thermostat, but I heard they are pretty expensive.
Anyone know any cheap and reliable thermostats available?
PS: I stickied the temp wire directly to the hot spot on the inside of the tub, opposite the heat pad, then put some newspaper over it. If it reads 95 degrees, how much heat is lost going through the newspaper?
Thanks for the help everyone:)

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Originally Posted by TheWinWizard

Try this one on for size.
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...3126231&sr=1-1

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Sorry for sounding dumb :confused:, but how does it work?
Do you plug the heat pad cord into the thermostat, then plug the thermostats cord into the wall? Then you can control the heat pad temperature with the thermostat? Thanks, this seems to be the most stressfull part of keeping snakes.:tears:

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Originally Posted by Kuzar

Sorry for sounding dumb :confused:, but how does it work?
Do you plug the heat pad cord into the thermostat, then plug the thermostats cord into the wall? Then you can control the heat pad temperature with the thermostat? Thanks, this seems to be the most stressfull part of keeping snakes.:tears:

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That's basically how it works. You tape the probe from the thermostat to the bottom of the heat pad. You sill need to use a thermometer though. Want to make sure it's no too warm.

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Originally Posted by TheWinWizard

That's basically how it works. You tape the probe from the thermostat to the bottom of the heat pad. You sill need to use a thermometer though. Want to make sure it's no too warm.

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So, it isn't an actual plug? You tape the probe to the heat pad and it can control the temps just from the probe, no plug ins?