Thermostats

I'm looking to purchase a digital thermostat to connect to my uth and have been getting mixed reviews. I need some advise on which ones are the best for the money. I'm hope'n to be able to buy one for around 100 dollars

I have 2 tanks and both have UTHs and both are connected to hydrofarm thermostats. Can find them on eBay for about $28-$32 total that includes shipping. That's where I got mine. You don't need to spend up to a$100 a hydrofarm for $30 will do great,alot of ppl here use them,but to each there own.

is nice to see you have the money to spend to make you snakes home and health as good as possible.. Good luck.

I use Helix. Others also recommend Herpstats. Also very good Thermostats.


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If you're willing to pay, then buy a Herpstat by Spyder Robotics. They are the best thermostats you can get. The base model costs $99.

Hydrofarms work ok if you're on a budget, but I will always recommend the Herpstat if you're willing to pay for it. What you pay is what you get.

I have a Hydrofarm on my quarantine rack, but a Herpstat on my main enclosures.
The Hydrofarm is an On/Off type thermostat where it turns on, if the temp drops below the set temp and turns off when it reaches the set temp. It has about a 3 degree temp swing. So basically it gets hot-cool-hot-cool.
Herpstats are proportional thermostats where it keeps the temp constant by regulating how much power goes into the heating element itself. What I like the best about Herpstats is that they turn into the Off position if they malfunction. Most T-stats do not do that and leave their heat mats to turn on full blast, which is a potential hazard. Higher models also have other safety functions.

Thanks... The hydrofarm has the best reviews out of all that I have seen under 100. I just wasn't sure how long they hold up. This will be my first setup with a ball python and just wanted to make sure I do it right with the best equipment that I have the money for. I'm gonna order the hydrofarm and give it a try. Thanks for the reply

Herp stat sounds great.

now,Satomi,I think for what you have the amount of snakes and reptiles the yeah a herp stat is great..but for a snake or a couple a hydrofarm is fine and it's what a lot of ppl use with no problems at all. If you hydrofarm conks out,how long will it be before u actually realize,your snake won't burn to death in that period of time. Atleast with me,I check my tank and the probes and temps every single day!!! ...my probe broke loose from the mat two days ago( was my fault) I woke up 8 hrs later to Kocur still in his hide and when I checked the UTH mat with an ir gun it was 127.. I immediately disconnected everything,took him out and he was perfectly fine,belly was fine etc...


I think people here go very very overboard about every single little detail..I know ppl with snakes that have just heat rocks for heat,ppl that have no t stats hooked u to there matts,ppl that have no UTHs to begin with and just a bulb and these snakes are healthy and perfectly fine.

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

Herp stat sounds great.

now,Satomi,I think for what you have the amount of snakes and reptiles the yeah a herp stat is great..but for a snake or a couple a hydrofarm is fine and it's what a lot of ppl use with no problems at all. If you hydrofarm conks out,how long will it be before u actually realize,your snake won't burn to death in that period of time. Atleast with me,I check my tank and the probes and temps every single day!!! ...my probe broke loose from the mat two days ago( was my fault) I woke up 8 hrs later to Kocur still in his hide and when I checked the UTH mat with an ir gun it was 127.. I immediately disconnected everything,took him out and he was perfectly fine,belly was fine etc...


I think people here go very very overboard about every single little detail..I know ppl with snakes that have just heat rocks for heat,ppl that have no t stats hooked u to there matts,ppl that have no UTHs to begin with and just a bulb and these snakes are healthy and perfectly fine.

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Overboard?? Or taking every precaution to keep our animals safe and at optimal living situation?

Personally I would recommend the herpstat. I would only use a hydrofarm temporarily.

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Originally Posted by satomi325

If you're willing to pay, then buy a Herpstat by Spyder Robotics. They are the best thermostats you can get. The base model costs $99.

Hydrofarms work ok if you're on a budget, but I will always recommend the Herpstat if you're willing to pay for it. What you pay is what you get.

I have a Hydrofarm on my quarantine rack, but a Herpstat on my main enclosures.
The Hydrofarm is an On/Off type thermostat where it turns on, if the temp drops below the set temp and turns off when it reaches the set temp. It has about a 3 degree temp swing. So basically it gets hot-cool-hot-cool.
Herpstats are proportional thermostats where it keeps the temp constant by regulating how much power goes into the heating element itself. What I like the best about Herpstats is that they turn into the Off position if they malfunction. Most T-stats do not do that and leave their heat mats to turn on full blast, which is a potential hazard. Higher models also have other safety functions.

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Do all of the Herpstats have the function of going into the off mode if they malfunction? I am planning on getting the Herpstat 1 Basic and it says it does not have the "built in safety power relay" is this a different function than the one you are talking about? The reason I am wanting to go with the Herpstat 1 Basic rather than the Herpstat Intro is because is says they are not recommended for racks. Which model are you running?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

Herp stat sounds great.

now,Satomi,I think for what you have the amount of snakes and reptiles the yeah a herp stat is great..but for a snake or a couple a hydrofarm is fine and it's what a lot of ppl use with no problems at all. If you hydrofarm conks out,how long will it be before u actually realize,your snake won't burn to death in that period of time. Atleast with me,I check my tank and the probes and temps every single day!!! ...my probe broke loose from the mat two days ago( was my fault) I woke up 8 hrs later to Kocur still in his hide and when I checked the UTH mat with an ir gun it was 127.. I immediately disconnected everything,took him out and he was perfectly fine,belly was fine etc...


I think people here go very very overboard about every single little detail..I know ppl with snakes that have just heat rocks for heat,ppl that have no t stats hooked u to there matts,ppl that have no UTHs to begin with and just a bulb and these snakes are healthy and perfectly fine.

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Hydrofarms can work. Yes. I use one on my QT rack. It's in temporary use at the most.
It's not as accurate or steady as my Herpstat though. Kitedemon(who no longer posts), was notorious for hating Hydrofarms. He went through testing dozens and concluded that they can have huge temp swings and/or just fail to properly function. In the end, Hydrofarms are designed for hydroponic gardening, not reptile enclosures. It was just merely adopted into reptile keeping, while the Herpstat was designed specifically for it.



I think the Hydrofarm works way better than the Zoomed/Zilla/Petstore T-stats. But I still prefer the Herpstat. It doesn't matter how many snakes you have or what kind of enclosures you use. It's all about how much are you willing to pay for the safety of your animal and the accuracy of your temperature regulation. I'm not saying, don't use a Hydrofarm. Tons of people have used it fine. But if you're willing to dish out the money, buy something that is guaranteed to be quality and reliable.


And holy crap @ the heat rocks.....Most dangerous thing you can put into a reptile enclosure. I can guarantee that no body in the reptile hobby will ever recommend using one. And anyone using a heat rock, shouldn't own a reptile......

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Originally Posted by MsGolightly

Do all of the Herpstats have the function of going into the off mode if they malfunction? I am planning on getting the Herpstat 1 Basic and it says it does not have the "built in safety power relay" is this a different function than the one you are talking about? The reason I am wanting to go with the Herpstat 1 Basic rather than the Herpstat Intro is because is says they are not recommended for racks. Which model are you running?

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Yes, that's the function I was talking about.
I do believe you can use the Intro on racks, depending on how many levels and how much heat tape you run. But it's their recommendation to use the 1 or higher since they have a higher wattage capacity to handle multiple levels of heating element. But you can always email Spyder Robotics themselves.

I run a Herpstat 2.

If you're determined to spend less than $100, look at Vivarium Electronics. The VE-100 is in your price range, and a better way to go than the HydroFarm. As far as proportional vs on/off, if you're using a natural substrate like cypress or repti-bark, they hold heat well enough to maintain a constant temp even with an on/off Tstat. Just don't use one for "white light" heat lamps. Aside from causing stress, it's annoying as hell having lights turn on and off.

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For my cornsnakes in individual tanks, I have hydrofarms on them. It's easier (and was cheaper for 5 tanks) to get hydrofarms. Plus, with being cornsnakes, if the heat is off, the snakes don't care as much. My room temp can be sufficient for them. For my large rack of corns and kings, I have a herpstat since I've got all that flexwatt to run. My BP tubs are on a herpstat 2.

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

I have 2 tanks and both have UTHs and both are connected to hydrofarm thermostats. Can find them on eBay for about $28-$32 total that includes shipping. That's where I got mine. You don't need to spend up to a$100 a hydrofarm for $30 will do great,alot of ppl here use them,but to each there own.

is nice to see you have the money to spend to make you snakes home and health as good as possible.. Good luck.

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Hydrofarms have a 5± degree sway. So, while cheap and semi efficient, they aren't great. I went through two before I jumped on a herpstat. Thankfully, Amazon has great return policies.

Splurge on a spyder robotics herpstat, my 1 is awesome and I've had no issues period. Plus the customer service is almost too perfect to believe!

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I have a few Helix units that have been flawless. I know they're a little above your range, but if you want an excellent product, I highly recommend them.

The reptile system from Digital Aquatics looks pretty interesting also. Not as pricey as some of the Spyder or Helix units, but super flexible and upgradeable. Being able to access and control it remotely over the web is pretty cool.

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This topic is like asking about underware.............everyone can and will give you a different answer.
The cheaper t-stats can be good IF you get one that works properly.
I have a couple of the Zilla 1000s and two work great while one has been warrantied a couple times, one is on my QT rack and the other good one is on my bearded dragons.
I love my VEs from Reptile Basics ;)

My question to you BEFORE you spend any money: Are you planning to expand your collection in the near future?

If not then go cheaper but remember you might need more later.:gj:

I went with the Zilla 1000 for two reasons, C Serpents (where I purchased the rack) stated they use them on their racks and two I will be getting the herpstat 4, but didn't have the money at the time so didn't get herpstat only to go to herpstat 4 in just a lil while.
That being said I've had no issues with the Zilla thus far and I'm happy with it, until I expand further and get the herpstat 4

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

Herp stat sounds great.

now,Satomi,I think for what you have the amount of snakes and reptiles the yeah a herp stat is great..but for a snake or a couple a hydrofarm is fine and it's what a lot of ppl use with no problems at all. If you hydrofarm conks out,how long will it be before u actually realize,your snake won't burn to death in that period of time. Atleast with me,I check my tank and the probes and temps every single day!!! ...my probe broke loose from the mat two days ago( was my fault) I woke up 8 hrs later to Kocur still in his hide and when I checked the UTH mat with an ir gun it was 127.. I immediately disconnected everything,took him out and he was perfectly fine,belly was fine etc...


I think people here go very very overboard about every single little detail..I know ppl with snakes that have just heat rocks for heat,ppl that have no t stats hooked u to there matts,ppl that have no UTHs to begin with and just a bulb and these snakes are healthy and perfectly fine.

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We don't so much "go overboard" - we just remember we are advising people and try to give the best options where we can.

Overheating can kill a reptile very, very quickly. And a burn can certainly happen in less than a few hours. Bluntly - you got lucky.

What others decide to do is, ultimately, up to them. When their animals get injured that's down to them.

If they were following advice however then it's also down to the person giving it. And few of us choose to advise things that could go wrong.

As time goes on you will notice a funny thing, those who "go overboard" ( as you put it ) have less problems or injuries than the ones who are more lackadaisical. :rolleyes:

Problems are best avoided rather than fixed after the fact - especially from the animals point of view.


dr del

I wouldn't say getting a thermostat is "going overboard". That seems a bit of an exaggeration. Getting basic safety equipment is...well...basic.

Some people will get lucky in nearly everything. Some will smoke and not get cancer. Some will not wear their seat belts and survive auto accidents. Lucky survivors are no reason to avoid basic precautions.

If you end up being one of the unlucky ones whose snake gets a burn, the same idiots who suggested it was going overboard to get one won't help you pay the vet bills and they sure can't do anything to fix your animal. It'll all be up to you and you'll wish you had listened.

Get a thermostat. Get the best one you can afford, whatever price range that ends up being.

Plenty of good reasons to have thermostats, no good reasons not to have one.

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Originally Posted by 200xth

If you end up being one of the unlucky ones whose snake gets a burn, the same idiots who suggested it was going overboard to get one won't help you pay the vet bills and they sure can't do anything to fix your animal. It'll all be up to you and you'll wish you had listened.

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This should be a "greatest quote", this is probably the best thing I have read in a couple days.:gj::gj::gj: