best cheap thermostat and one other question

What have people had luck with that is relatively inexpensive at keeping the temps accurate? Also I need to add more humidity to my cage so can i put a much larger water bowl in there? I assume bp cant drown since there bodies are pretty strong.

You can use a lamp dimmer, the ones that go for $10-20 at home improvement stores. That's what I use, paired with Ultratherm heat pads which are relatively low-heat anyway.

But lamp dimmers aren't nearly as reliable, since you can't pick the exact temperature. But some control is better than none. I haven't had any problems with my Ultratherms on dimmers. If you've got several snakes and aren't on a budget, and you're using a higher wattage heat source, it's probably a good investment to get a sturdy thermostat. From what I've seen there are decent ones that sell for $30-50, but I can't personally recommend any.

A larger bowl will help with the humidity. Drowning won't be an issue - BPs don't usually seem to soak or drink much, anyway. You can also boost the humidity by adding more insulation to the cage (especially if it's an aquarium).

Hope that helps at least a little. I'm sure someone with more experience will pitch in. Good luck.

Hydrofarm thermostat from amazon is good. I haven't had any problems with it yet. It's 25-30$ on Amazon.


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There as no such thing as a good cheap thermostat. You get what you pay for.

Of all available, what is your preference?

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Originally Posted by snake lab

There as no such thing as a good cheap thermostat. You get what you pay for.

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Originally Posted by snake lab

There as no such thing as a good cheap thermostat. You get what you pay for.

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X 2

Cheap means there will be temps fluctuation.

Cheap means you'll have to replace it a lot sooner than a reliable thermostat.

Rehostat or dimmer is not something I recommend long term and if your room is not stable year round this mean adjusting the temps daily even sometimes more than once daily.

Thermostat are very important something where no one should cut corners the animal's safety depends on it but yours as well as a cheap thermostat and or a heat source not properly controlled can become a fire hazard as well.

I would never recommend anything less than Ranco or Johnson on the low end (those are on and off t-stat) or Herpstat, Helix, and now Vivarium Electronics

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Originally Posted by snake lab

There as no such thing as a good cheap thermostat. You get what you pay for.

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Almost 2 years ago, I lost my entire collection due to a malfunction with one of the best T-Stats money can buy. I lost my snakes, but didn't burn down my apartment building. I'm glad I didn't have a cheap T-Stat, or the outcome could have been much worse.

With-in reason, you really do get what you pay for.

We have a herpastat. Can't remember what model, would have to ask Hubby.

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Originally Posted by satomi325

Hydrofarm thermostat from amazon is good. I haven't had any problems with it yet. It's 25-30$ on Amazon.


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I've used them now for a year and a half without any problems.

The prob with the hydrofarm and and on/off style is flex watt gains and looses heat faster than the probe does. So you end up with fluctuations in the temp. I have a hydrofarm and it works awesome but I will def be investing in one of the new herpstats in the comming weeks. Good as a backup or temporary one but that's all I would recommend it for.


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Reptile Basics

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Reptile Basics

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I second this suggestion. I currently use Helix (purchase from RBI) but would like to get one of their new models they are offering.

Helix, spider, johnsons controls, ranco , viv. All good i listed them in order of what i think ate best to worst of that category but all good

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Originally Posted by interloc

The prob with the hydrofarm and and on/off style is flex watt gains and looses heat faster than the probe does. So you end up with fluctuations in the temp. I have a hydrofarm and it works awesome but I will def be investing in one of the new herpstats in the comming weeks. Good as a backup or temporary one but that's all I would recommend it for.


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Johnson Controls is like this also. But it doesn't bother the snakes if the high fluctuates 2-3 degrees. it doesn't have to be sitting a 90 at all times. If it's anywhere from 88-92 the snakes are happy so I am happy.

IMO, you would only really need a proportional for an incubator.

Within the stores and among the staff, we have tried pretty much all of the brands we carry. Helix is one of the best, but for an inexpensive thermostat for those using heat pads or heat cable, the Zilla brand thermostats are pretty decent. We use them in a few of the stores to regulate the temperatures for our colubrid and arachnid cases, and I personally use them at home to regulate my heat cable. For our rack units in the stores, we utilize Helix thermostats.

For the average person at home with a handful of animals, the Zilla thermostats should meet your needs without putting too much of a dent in your pocketbook.

-Jen

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Originally Posted by snake lab

Helix, spider, johnsons controls, ranco , viv. All good i listed them in order of what i think ate best to worst of that category but all good

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snake, what makes the spyder better than the viv but the spyder (herpstat 1 basic) is only basically $1 more? I am asking because I am looking at getting a three tub rack and want to get a nice t-stat for it.

I'd say the best cheapest is the herpstat intro @ 99$ it is hard to beat.

I like helix too but I prefer the herpstat line generally. Ecozone has really nice units too but priced them selves quite high. I too have an issue with the VEs they do not have full specs and after a number of emails I still don't have an answer to what the accuracy of the probe is. I can only assume that it is the same as the others but that is just guessing it could be much different. There also has been a few of people whom have them that have reported trouble with the units not accepting temp changes and not holding settings after a power failure. I don't have one but these issues and the missing specs are a BIG concern for me I cannot recommend them after the members here and on another forms issues with them.

I have a Helix, a couple VEs and use the Zillas-> (mainly as a backup)
They all work great, I have my QT on the Zillas only.
I have not had any problems with my VEs and they work great, even have one on my incubator that will hopefully get used this season but it is holding temps great.;)