Why is this digital thermostat so cheap?

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Originally Posted by Anya

Not the problem. I'm a student, and am not to get a job until I finish school. I could have one, but I shouldn't, see? But at the same time, this year my family is building a house, and money is tight. My dad was an angel and bought Axel and his set-up for me. Some may say, "Why on earth would you take on the expense of an animal at that point??" I bought Axel to take my mind of stress of life, and to be a hobby. I'm caring for him to the best of my ability, and although the dimmer is okay right this moment, I AM having to fiddle with it constantly, as my home (a drafty/baking hot trailer) right now isn't even SLIGHTLY temp controlled. I am at the mercy of mother nature, and she isn't being very merciful. I'm terrified to leave the house during the day, because often when I get home (or wake up in the morning for that matter...) My temps have wildly fluxuated. I'm planning on being out of town part of next month and part of august, and I just can't take him with me. Someday I want to get into some hobby breeding and fun stuff like that, and at that point, I'll buy one of the more reliable thermostats to control a rack. But as for Axel, I need something that will keep his uth nice and stable for the time being. I just can't plunk down 60-120 bucks right now, and that's that. lol.

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Well that makes total sense. In your situation I don't see why the hydrofarm wouldn't be okay until you are able to get a better one, which could be a while away. :)

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Well that makes total sense. In your situation I don't see why the hydrofarm wouldn't be okay until you are able to get a better one, which could be a while away. :)

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Haha, thank you for understanding. :oops:

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Originally Posted by Anya

Not the problem. I'm a student, and am not to get a job until I finish school. I could have one, but I shouldn't, see? But at the same time, this year my family is building a house, and money is tight. My dad was an angel and bought Axel and his set-up for me. Some may say, "Why on earth would you take on the expense of an animal at that point??" I bought Axel to take my mind of stress of life, and to be a hobby. I'm caring for him to the best of my ability, and although the dimmer is okay right this moment, I AM having to fiddle with it constantly, as my home (a drafty/baking hot trailer) right now isn't even SLIGHTLY temp controlled. I am at the mercy of mother nature, and she isn't being very merciful. I'm terrified to leave the house during the day, because often when I get home (or wake up in the morning for that matter...) My temps have wildly fluxuated. I'm planning on being out of town part of next month and part of august, and I just can't take him with me. Someday I want to get into some hobby breeding and fun stuff like that, and at that point, I'll buy one of the more reliable thermostats to control a rack. But as for Axel, I need something that will keep his uth nice and stable for the time being. I just can't plunk down 60-120 bucks right now (or anytime terribly soon), and that's that. lol.

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then thats the best way to go i have a 4 tub rack running off of it right now and it keeps everybody just right so thats the way i would go until you can buy a more expensive setup thats what im planning on doing but until then they work great.

It sound like the hydrofarm is a perfect option just watch the temps that is all, you are doing that already now you just need to check them once. If you find the temps are spiking higher than wanted and them lower (4-6º) try moving the uth to a sheet of glass (if you are using a tub) the mass weight of the glass will drop the highs and raise the lows. If you are using a tank it isn't likely to be a problem.

I use a Herpstat and 2 Hydrofarms.

Both work amazing. the Hydrofarms, I know they will always be 88 - 90 (for my Macklots) and 91 - 93 for my leopard gecko

And I NEVER worry about those temps. they are always the same.

It would be alot better than a light dimmer! It would hold the temp no matter what happens to the room temp!

Here is the difference between the Hydrofarm, Ranco, and Johnson thermostats.
The Hydrofarm is designed for heat mats used in horticulture applications, which are comparable in wattage and temperatures, to the Under Tank Heaters used in reptile applications.
The Ranco and Johnson thermostats are designed for commercial heating and air-conditioning applications, which is why they have such a high power handling capability, and are more expensive. It just so happens that they are easily adapted to run reptile heating sources, and space heaters, if you have a dedicated reptile room.

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I bought Axel to take my mind of stress of life, and to be a hobby

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i could not have said it better myself, i too am in the same boat, i had a BP when i was a kid, and i bought another one now for the very same reasons as you.

Not to hijack your thread, but kind of the same question, right now im using a 15 gallon tall tank with the smallest UTH on a new pastel i just purchased, this tank will go to my younger normal BP, which is on a 10 gallon. Anyways, next expo is in july, which i plan to go and purchase a new tank and of course a bigger UTH, more aspen bedding and other supplies, and at the same time i want to purchase a thermo to go with the bigger UTH, as opposed to the dimmer i have hooked up now.

My budget is between 70-80, maybe a 100, whats the best for that price range? (under 100)

i looked at thermo's on ebay but im completley lost on what i should be looking for, i keep getting alot of stuff that looks like it should be hooked up to a boiler for a school cafeteria or something.. any links to the ones you guys are using?

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Originally Posted by FrankieCarbone

My budget is between 70-80, maybe a 100, whats the best for that price range? (under 100)

i looked at thermo's on ebay but im completley lost on what i should be looking for, i keep getting alot of stuff that looks like it should be hooked up to a boiler for a school cafeteria or something.. any links to the ones you guys are using?

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Here are some links you can use:

http://www.spyderrobotics.com/home/products.html

http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermostats

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...1529683&sr=1-7

http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiT...5950692&sr=1-1

Herpstat Proportional Thermostat

seems to be right up my ally, any place where i can find this one for 100 or under shipped?