Thermostats?

I am thinking I am going to go ahead and buy a thermostat for when I can get the new guy moved into the same room as my girl (after quarantine) and I was wondering where you guys find these Ranco/Johnson ones for cheap? I don't really know what Im looking for either, so that might help, but I would only have two UTH's that would need one, so I don't need anything for 6 etc, which seems to be all I can find for 80+ bucks. I keep reading about suggestions for getting Rancos and Johnsons for around $30, but I've had no luck locating them?

http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=75

Is this the reptitemp 500r Ive heard some people here use? It says up to two UTH's, which is what I need it for, but does it have two probes? Will one probe work since the UTH's are the same size? And the probe goes between the pad and the tank bottom, right? Does it need to be in the middle?

I've been considering a thermostat too, and considering the one you posted.


If it says it can control 2, then it should be able to.

i use the 500R on two applications and they run great. For your use, you wont have any issues using that stat :)

For the money you spend on that thermostat, its definitely one of the better ones out there. Up from that, when you decide you might need more, i would recommend a Herpstat.

For the Zoo Med 500R there, you would need to buy the second probe. It comes only with one, But it is able to control up to 500watts of heating elements/lighting. and has two spots you can plug things in to it.

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Originally Posted by MsPrada

http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=75

Is this the reptitemp 500r Ive heard some people here use? It says up to two UTH's, which is what I need it for, but does it have two probes? Will one probe work since the UTH's are the same size? And the probe goes between the pad and the tank bottom, right? Does it need to be in the middle?

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If the heat pads are identical, it will heat them identically. It is a good idea to moniter the temps of both tanks though.

Most people say to stick the probe between the UTH and the tank but that never worked for me, those probes are too huge. I just aluminum tape it to the outside of the UTH and it works just fine.

Thanks. I only need something for small scale right now but I have done some research on the helix and herpstat which I plan to get if I get more snakes (which is a def for the future, far future that is) but I didnt want to spend too much $ on just these two guys. Esp after spending what I did at the show. Phew.

They are the exact same heating pad, but I have an accurite in both tanks. Now, this is a silly question, but where do you get aluminum tape?

The Reptitemp 500R is what I've been using... It only has one probe but would probably work fine for heating two tanks.

I'm having a hard time getting it set to the right temperature consistantly, but I've been blaming my stick-on Zoo-med heating pad.

I've read the fluctuation can be between 5-7 degrees. Is this too much of a fluctuation for a BP to take? My home temps are pretty stable.

If you have another $20 or $30 to spare just go for the Ranco or Johnsons... I have the Reptitemp and really do not like it... But for now it is my only option.

I have to constantly tweak it. Last night I found Sharon's UTH at 100 degrees! Not good. It's best to spend the extra and not have a burnt snake... If I lived in the US I would've gotten a better thermostat already.

But it's entirely up to you.. Everyone has different opinions and experiences. Do what you feel is best. :)

I don't have that specific thermostat, but I have similar ones (on/off that are not digital), and honestly, I'd rather pay the extra money to have a digital one. They're far more accurate and you can plug more things into them. I use Johnson's Controllers that I got from Reptile Basics, and they've been great.

If you can afford the $80, go with a Johnson. They are the most reliable and stable of all the stats.

The ZooMed stat is a great 'for now' stat, that once you have dialed in (which can take some time) it stays where it should be. I've only ever had 3 degree flux max with them.

Here is the scoop on probes and tstats: The ONLY stats that can have more than one temperature programmed and controlled - ie that have more than one probe - are the Herpstat II and Pro. That is it.
When you have two enclosures and want both warm sides controlled, a ZooMed stat will do the trick. It has two plugs, but you can add extenders as long as you do NOT come close to the 500 watt limit. Since UTHs typically run at 8-10 watts each, you won't have to worry about that. :)
When you have TWO UTHs on each enclosure, as I do, and need to control both the warm AND cool sides, then you need two tstats or the Herpstat II.

And yes, it's best just to tape the thermostat probe to the bottom of the pad. Works just as well then, since it's not the stat number you read but the thermometer number. :)

I can afford in most likely in the winter. I mean I can get it now, the Johnson that is, but right now my temps are good. Im just worried about the winter. I think I'll just wait and get the Johnson then. Do you guys have a link where to find it? Thanks

I use the Ranco's I got from Reptile Basics. I've got 4 of them and haven't had any problems...


Rob

Don't you have to wire them though? I thought I saw some on ebay but you had to wire them.

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Originally Posted by MsPrada

Don't you have to wire them though? I thought I saw some on ebay but you had to wire them.

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Reptile Basics sells the un-wired and pre-wired versions.

If you go with Rich at ReptileBasics.com, you can get one pre-wired. :) He's the greatest.

And just my opinion, but I suggest you get the thermostat ASAP. You never know when something might happen, and having the tstat helps to reduce those chances by a great deal. They're expensive, yes, but well worth the cost in saved sanity. :D

Ive decided to get two UTHS for the guys' cool sides and get rid of the lamps. I'm thinking I will go ahead and get a different, more expensive, one that I can do two different times on and plug four things into. What do you guys suggest for this?

What are the probes everyone is talking about?

I thought that the thermostat plugs directly into the uth, am I mistaken?

the probes are what go from the thermostat to wherever you are going to measure the temp, the probes are the actual thermometer part of the thermostat (or at least the sensing part)

Anyone know of a good unit that will control temps and humidity. It would be nice to have it all in one.... ive seen this one (http://www.reptilesupply.com/product...oducts_id=2472) but is it any good?