Thermostat Opinion

Hey everyone,

I am finally moving away from tanks and doing a rack with tubs. It will be a small rack to start that will be housing three separate snakes (BP, Jungle Carpet Python, RTB). This will only be a temporary system for the JCP and RTB while they are young enough. I will eventually move to Animal Plastics enclosures. What I want to know is what thermostat you would recommend to control heat for three different species of snakes. I currently have hydrofarms but I was wondering if there is a thermostat that can control multiple tubs. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Alex

Herpstat 4. I use them and love them:

http://spyderrobotics.com/products/herpstat_4.html

Wow, that thing is sweet but very pricy. Im not quite in the market for that right now.... anything else you recommend or is that pretty much what I will have to pay if I want one thermostat for 3 tubs?...

It seems like a lot but really good t-stats are $100 for just one so up to 4 for that price really isn't bad. You could probably get away with hydrofarms for now but why waste money on cheap ones when you can buy the right one once? It will be cheaper in the long run to have a good t-stat. I love my 1basic for my BP. It is really good. If I ever end up with a small rack I am getting a higher model.

My vote, keep using hydrofarms until you can afford a Herpstat or te Vivarium Electeonics (VE) as a second choice.

A Herpstat Intro is only $99. It's the most basic of the Herpstat series, but it works great for a rack.

And Herpstats are one of the more safe and reliable thermostats around.

Hydrofarms on Amazon for $30 is good for a budget, but aren't as reliable or accurate as the Herpstat.

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Sorry to edit my post I was assuming the snakes don't have the same temp requirements. If they do have the same temp requirements then yes Herpstat 1 would be my vote.

I haven't looked into keeping other snakes yet. I am unfamiliar with the temp requirements of the other two species.

The Herpstat 2 can control 2 seperate temperature zones. I don't know of anything other than the Herpstat 4 that can control 3 seperate temperature zones.

So with the herpstat do you just plug the heat mats or flex watt in and you're good to go? No probes?

It comes with 4 probes, it is literally like having 4 Herpstat 1's in a single box.

I bought a herpstat2 for my first thermostat and now i hate myself. I hate myself for not getting the herpstat4 the first time. Reptiles are addicting, snakes are addicting. Buy the best the first time, you will save money in the end

Herpstats are the way to go. Here's a basic write up I did on the different herpstats available.

Okay here is a simple guide to follow:


Herpstat I (original) - 1 channel - NFS

Although the basic Herpstat controls only one temperature gradient it is equipped with multiple outlets so that you can connect multiple heat sources AS LONG AS THE HEAT SOURCES ARE THE SAME. i.e. you can connect two identical pieces of flexxwatt to a single herpstat. This product is no longer for sale directly from spider co but you can still find it floating around on the market.


Herpstat ND - 1 Chanel -NFS

essentially the same same device as a herpstat I, the Herpstat ND comes with the Night Drop feature to lower the temperature on the same channel during set times in the day. This product has been deemed obsolete thanks to the new line of Herpstat I and II, which feature Night Drop.


Herpstat I basic - 1 channel - $115.00

The herpstat I basic is essentially the same system as the original Herpstat. It is a baisc Herpstat without Night Drop or humidity control. It is a relatively inexpensive and fully functional thermostat with the reliability that Spider Robotics is known for. The new design makes it much more aesthetically pleasing and the fuses are user replaceable, making the 2012 Herpstat I basic much more economical than the original system.


Herpstat I - 1 Channel - $139.00

The 2012 herpstat I is an upgraded version of the original Herpstat. Equipped with Night Drop and humidity control it is more versatile than the original. The Herpstat I has one channel so that you can control a single temperature gradient with the added feature of night time temp drops. It comes grounded which makes it ideal for racks made of conductive materials.


Herpstat II - 2 channels - $195.00

The herpstat II has two channels for controlling two different heat sources at different temperatures. It functions in the same way that two different Herpstat I's would. The Herpstat II features Night Drop to bring the temperatures lower at set points during the day. You can run two separate racks or enclosures from one thermostat safely and efficiently. The 2012 Herpstat II's also have humidity control which is an upgrade from the older counterparts. The 2012 also comes grounded, the original Herpstat II did not..


Herpstat PRO - 4 channels - NFS

Although expensive the Herpstat PRO is great for breeders, and people with large collections. You can run 4 separate racks or enclosures, using different heat sources, from one control system. The herpstat PRO also includes the Night Drop feature. This product is no longer available new from Spider Electronics, but can still be found with some resellers, and of course on the market as used devices..


Herpstat 4 - 4 Channels - $339.00

The Herpstat 4 is essentially the new and improved Herpstat PRO, although outfitted with all the same features as the PRO, it also includes humidity control which makes it great as a vivarium regulator. The Herpstat 4 also features grounded outlets.




So there you have it, most of this information of course can be found on Spider Robotics website http://spyderrobotics.com/index.html. My personal recommendation for people with relatively small collections would be to get the new 2012 herpstat II. For the money, it's a great product and is outfitted with some great new features.


Cheers,
Chris.

This is a very good video done for comparison of two of the top thermostats done by a member here:
Herpstat - VS VE200

BTW Jinx it was an excellant video. :gj:

If you need 3 zones you are going to buy 3 t-stats or buy a herpstat ecozone or digital aquatics. The herpstat at the end of the day is less money (the others are sold bare no probes so everything is an added expense.)



I have never understood the I am getting a rack 300$ is too expensive comments. I found the single largest expense with racks was heating the room. If you can afford 300$ for a t-stat how are you going to heat the room the rack is in? When I was running an oil heater to keep my snake room 80º I was spending more than 300 a month to do so.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

If you need 3 zones you are going to buy 3 t-stats or buy a herpstat ecozone or digital aquatics. The herpstat at the end of the day is less money (the others are sold bare no probes so everything is an added expense.)



I have never understood the I am getting a rack 300$ is too expensive comments. I found the single largest expense with racks was heating the room. If you can afford 300$ for a t-stat how are you going to heat the room the rack is in? When I was running an oil heater to keep my snake room 80º I was spending more than 300 a month to do so.

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I am also a college student with student loans and I am strapped for cash...

I get that, but if you can't afford the T-stat can you afford the cost of power for the rack? My rack was costing me over 500$ a month. If you can't pay for a t-stat can you pay for power? Racks need to be in warm rooms and that can cost huge bucks depending on the conditions.

I agree with kitedemon. If you can't afford one, how can you afford the other?? Not trying to be mean.

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