Questions about Thermostats

Helix's and herpstats do NOT control the humidity of a rack right? So what do you use to control humidity? Or do you just leave humidity alone depending on where you live? And also why do you tape the probe on the heat tape and not inside the tub? Thanks. Sorry for the newbie questions.

Thermostats are for temperature control, not humidity. I use a DIY rack, and RBI rack, and a tank and I don't need anything other than a water dish for humidity in any of them. You tape the probe on the heat tape because you are controlling the heat tape. You control the maximum temp it gets to, if it's not in direct contact with the heat source then you aren't controlling the heat source....

Thermometers go inside to read temps, thermostats go outside to control temps...

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Thermostats are for temperature control, not humidity. I use a DIY rack, and RBI rack, and a tank and I don't need anything other than a water dish for humidity in any of them. You tape the probe on the heat tape because you are controlling the heat tape. You control the maximum temp it gets to, if it's not in direct contact with the heat source then you aren't controlling the heat source....

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So if the heat tape is 91 degrees it is also 91 degrees on the hot side inside the tub?

LGray pretty much covered it. Humidity does not have to be controlled as precisely as temperature for Ball Pythons. As long as you keep the humidity above 50% they are happy. In a rack system this can be easily accomplished with a appropriately sized water bowl.

No, that's why you need to read the temps inside the tub also. I use a temp gun...well worth the money. But digital thermometers/hygrometers are good too (like this one http://www.amazon.com/Chaney-Instrum...9399659&sr=8-1) On my DIY rack with my tubs I have the thermostat set to 94 degrees, which keeps it steady inside the tub according to my temp gun at 90 degrees.

The degree that you set it at completely depends on what you use for substrate and where you live....

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Originally Posted by LGray23

No, that's why you need to read the temps inside the tub also. I use a temp gun...well worth the money.

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Absolutely. I'd recommend a Temp gun such as the PE1 or PE2 from http://tempgun.com/.
I own both models and couldn't be happier with them.

Thanks for covering that for me! I think i understand finally. Hahaha i think my head is just fried from too much school. So the thermostat probe is placed on the heat tape and a temp gun or thermometer is used for inside the tub, and if temp increases or decreases inside it, you need to toggle with the thermostat. Did i get this right?

Yes, but I'd be surprised if you have to toggle with a good thermostat. I use herpstat, Johnsons, and Hydrofarm, and I never ever have to touch the herpstat or johnsons.

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Yes, but I'd be surprised if you have to toggle with a good thermostat. I use herpstat, Johnsons, and Hydrofarm, and I never ever have to touch the herpstat or johnsons.

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Not even if outside temps change drastically? (as in from about 80 to 73 degrees)

Depends, that kind of change you may have to....but my temps are pretty consistent so I don't.

alright i understand now. thanks for explaining it so well to me!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Thermostats are for temperature control, not humidity. I use a DIY rack, and RBI rack, and a tank and I don't need anything other than a water dish for humidity in any of them. You tape the probe on the heat tape because you are controlling the heat tape. You control the maximum temp it gets to, if it's not in direct contact with the heat source then you aren't controlling the heat source....

Thermometers go inside to read temps, thermostats go outside to control temps...

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This is a very good description let me add a little to it. With the probe on the heat tape you set the heat tapes temp but the inside of the tub will be different. This is certainly one method but unstable room temps can toss it off some. With an enclosed rack (solid sides, and mostly solid back) the variation even in an unstable room temps (my situation as well) is not huge just a degree or two here and there. I use 91 degree on the taped probe and get 89-92 inside the tubs as the room temps change.

The alternative is to place the probe into the middle tub. In my opinion this can work quite well in a static enclosure does not work well in a rack. There are guidelines that really should be followed.

The Probe MUST not MOVE It must be firmly fixed over the middle of the tape inside the enclosure. I use hot melt glue in my enclosure to do this. The problem with a rack becomes evident with a fixed probe it means basically the middle drawer become unusable as the probe cannot be removed easily from the tub and so cleaning becomes a problem.


The second thing I personally do is use a second on off t-stat (hydrofarm likely would be great for this) as a back up incase a big poo was to land exactly on top of the probe. a link to how to do that...

http://www.spyderrobotics.com/home/s...edocument.html

here is a great how to vid with a compromise to solve both issues,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2jgkjJ0cHY

The problem is you cannot run a tub over the probe and the bit of tub bottom as described unless you make a low spot or something for it. You still have to give up some space to the probe.

In both methods the probe must be firmly fixed to the flex watt. it cannot come loose! The back up protects against failure and probes floating around. I really recommend a back up it is 40 bucks for safety system that will save everything in your rack.

I hope this helps clear some points sorry it is so long.