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Inexpensive thermostat?

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  • 01-08-2012, 06:17 PM
    blueberrypancakes
    Inexpensive thermostat?
    I am looking for a less expensive, but still reliable good quality thermostat. Any recommendations?
  • 01-08-2012, 06:22 PM
    The Serpent Merchant
    Define cheap. Herpstats can be obtained for $100-$150 Rancos can be obtained for $50-$75, and hydrofarms can be obtained for even less. I would go in that order as far a quality
  • 01-08-2012, 06:50 PM
    blueberrypancakes
    Ugh, I am trying to save money, but the more I think it over, I think I should just go with quality once instead of something for right now that I will want to replace later. So, which HYerpstat model should I go with to monitor 5 tubs in a rack system?
  • 01-08-2012, 06:57 PM
    The Serpent Merchant
    A Herpstat ND will be fine.
  • 01-08-2012, 09:28 PM
    kitedemon
    You do even need the ND the regular would be fine. Few use the night drop feature.

    Don't take this the wrong way but should you be looking at expanding when you are having trouble spending a few hundred bucks on the primary health and safety tool needed? It is like buying a car with no wheels and trying to save cash by attaching bicycle wheels. You get what you pay for, and IMO a fail safe t-stat is not really an optional item especially with a rack.
  • 01-08-2012, 09:48 PM
    blueberrypancakes
    I'm not having trouble purchasing it, I'm just cheap!:P In my second post on this thread, I said that I had decided to go with quality instead of cheapness...
    My 1989 Oldsmobile rides just fine on it's four wheels without being a Benz, by the way. I don't see anything wrong with wanting to get a reasonable, reliable product for less money. I know with a lot of things you get what you pay for, but with other things you don't have to spend as much to get something that works just fine for your purposes.
  • 01-08-2012, 11:07 PM
    SpencerShanks
    I've been thinking about getting a VE-100 (http://www.reptilebasics.com/ve-100) for a short while now. Planning my first rack system, so this little thing is kinda important. Unfortunately I haven't heard much about them. The price is pretty reasonable, and I personally like the looks over the basic Herpstat or Helix.
  • 01-08-2012, 11:12 PM
    The Serpent Merchant
    A VE-100 is not a proportional thermostat like a Herpstat or Helix. It is a on/off type like a Ranco or hydrofarm. A proportional thermostat will regulate temps. much better than a on/off type. If you are going to get an on/off type thermostat you might as well get the cheaper Ranco.
  • 01-09-2012, 03:19 AM
    blueberrypancakes
    Thanks SerpentMerchant. I almost bought the VE-100 today before seeing your post, it was what the pet store recommended when I said that their options were substandard... (why does everyone love zoo-med so freakin much??) So you def just sold the Herpstat ND, final choice. :D
  • 01-09-2012, 01:01 PM
    UpNorth
    There's a saying in the automotive world that sort of applies here:

    Cheap, Fast, and Reliable. Pick two.

    Bottom line is the less you spend, the more issues you "may" have.
  • 01-09-2012, 01:05 PM
    Dabonus
    Also keep an eye out for used units. You can save a lot of money picking up a higher end model thermostat without a lot of hours on it.
  • 01-09-2012, 04:56 PM
    blueberrypancakes
    Thanks, Dabonus. I was searching for a used herpstat today, but I didn't see anything interesting... Ordering one when my husband gets home... (he has the money :P)
    I like the cheap, fast or reliable thing... that's true!
  • 01-09-2012, 11:39 PM
    kitedemon
    Same for good, cheap, quick for having work done you can get any two. I have an ND it is great but most do not suggest a night drop is needed. The regular herpstat is exactly the same with out this feature.

    It does have one interesting use (not so much with racks but...) if the room cools over night you can switch the time on the ND 12 hours so night is day and day is night and then instead of a drop it is a lift over night to compensate for the cooler air temp. Racks don't work well in cool rooms that are unstable so it is moot point with them.

    I didn't mean to offend you BTW it is too common to hear of people whom have ten snakes and no good t stat, and loose them all to a failure.

    I would really suggest a failsafe t-stat system of some sort especially with a rack it is too easy to dislodge a probe and cook all the snakes. Or cause fires...
  • 01-09-2012, 11:51 PM
    The Serpent Merchant
    Re: Inexpensive thermostat?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by kitedemon View Post
    Same for good, cheap, quick for having work done you can get any two. I have an ND it is great but most do not suggest a night drop is needed. The regular herpstat is exactly the same with out this feature.

    It does have one interesting use (not so much with racks but...) if the room cools over night you can switch the time on the ND 12 hours so night is day and day is night and then instead of a drop it is a lift over night to compensate for the cooler air temp. Racks don't work well in cool rooms that are unstable so it is moot point with them.

    I didn't mean to offend you BTW it is too common to hear of people whom have ten snakes and no good t stat, and loose them all to a failure.

    I would really suggest a failsafe t-stat system of some sort especially with a rack it is too easy to dislodge a probe and cook all the snakes. Or cause fires...

    One nice use for the ND is breeding, it allows you more control over your temps. I second a back up thermostat (should be an on/off type) but that can wait. Getting a good thermostat up and running is far more important and issues are rare.
  • 01-09-2012, 11:54 PM
    MadAboutReptiles
    Re: Inexpensive thermostat?
    You can get a zilla 1000 watt for 30 bucks on amazon.
  • 01-10-2012, 10:26 AM
    blueberrypancakes
    :) I have a Zilla, that's the t-stat that I don't want... I mean, I was happy to get it 'cause I had nothing, but that's what I let Petco talk me into wasting my money on.:mad:
    You didn't offend at all, Kitedemon. It's difficult to convey tone over teh internets, I guess the smilies help there. I appreciate that everyone really cares about the animals on this site and that you would try to talk sense into someone who didn't...
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