Thermostat for lamp, need help on howto install

Hi, so i bought a exo terra red lamp for heat for my ball python. I ofcourse bought a dome for it (the flukers one) and a thermostat for it (the thermostat is called century digital thermostat controller)

I’m wondering how/where i would place the probe near the lamp for the thermostat to work right? (If possible outside the actual tank since i prefer not to have wires inside the tank) (i do not have hot glue but alluminum or other tape would work i’m guessing?)

and when i got the thermostat in the mail it said on the box that it was for heat mats. I assume it will do the same for a heat lamp?
thank you for help in advance!!!

I believe I have the same thermostat. I have it hooked up to my CHE. I have the probe suction cupped to the wall inside the tank, an inch or two above the substrate. Yes, wires inside the tank are something to watch for, and checking to make sure the probe hasn't been deattached from the wall. I have the probe and wires from both my thermostat and thermometer inside the tank, and I find that as long as you try to put them in a place the snake will likely ignore, and check on them every day, it seems to be fine. Try to put them somewhere the snake isn't likely to pee.

I'm assuming that heat lamps work generally the same as CHEs here. Perhaps someone will be able to provide a different idea, but I think putting the probe in the enclosure is inevitable with top heat.

You would be better off with a CHE...... bulb life will be shortened with a thermostat, especially if its an on/off type.
Overhead heating, the probe would go in the enclosure unless you use a plain lamp dimmer. Then you would use a temperature gun to get it all dialed in.
Tape DOES NOT ever go inside an enclosure.

I think the least likely possible probe placement to be moved is hanging directly below the bulb. I.e. zip tied on the lid from the edge to the center beneath the lamp and hung several inches down/a few inches off the floor. Adjust the thermostat settings based on measured floor temp with a temp gun. That is a wire in the tank, but even if a snake moves it, it'll swing back into the proper place (yay gravity), and as long as it is off the floor they can't sit on it.

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I haven't tried this yet, but I had the same question with my RHP's. (I just ended up inserting the probe between the RHP and the ceiling of the cage before tightening everything down.)

For probes that are placed lower down I think this should work: Get a length of sew-on 1" (about 3cm) wide Velcro, and silicone it to the the wall where you want the cord of the probe to run up. The other side of the velcro can grip on that to secure the cord to the wall.

Thanks for the responses, i was told ceramic heat bulbs are more prone to complications or over heating, which is why i went for the bulb.. if anyone else has experience with che let me know!

I've never used a CHE, but they are highly recommend over the bulbs. They might be better controlled by dial rheostats w/o the probe. This would mean that you have to remember to read the ambient temps with weather changes, and adjust the output accordingly.

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Originally Posted by Jasmijn

Thanks for the responses, i was told ceramic heat bulbs are more prone to complications or over heating, which is why i went for the bulb.. if anyone else has experience with che let me know!

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From those that try to run them unregulated......

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Originally Posted by distaff

I've never used a CHE, but they are highly recommend over the bulbs. They might be better controlled by dial rheostats w/o the probe. This would mean that you have to remember to read the ambient temps with weather changes, and adjust the output accordingly.

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i may switch my red bulb then even though i just got it today, it can be regulated with the probe i got too though right? And the dome i have should be ok?

While again, I haven't used that particular equipment, your Fluker dome should be fine. It is built to run a hot fixture 24/7. (I have used heat lamps many times for a bin of baby chicks, but the set up is a bit different - more open, and the chicks themselves tell you which way to regulate the heat by how they disperse under it. Then, I just adjust the angle/height of the lamp.)

Yes, the probe should be able to regulate it. The trick is just finding a place and means to secure the probe so the snake doesn't mess with it; my snakes tend to think electrical cords are fun jungle vines.

(Cont., edit timed out.)

Most of the time, I see these lamps just set with the dome of the lamp directly on the top screen of the enclosure. I don't know if CHE's are manufactured to run well at constant full power, but assuming they do ok with that, you can lessen the heat going into the enclosure by raising the lamp. If your top screen is also the access into the enclosure, you could hang the lamp from something to make it less fiddly to open. Otherwise, set the dome on bricks, or something else fire proof, that your top screen can support.

If you are planning on switching from the red bulb to a CHE, with your fluker's dome, I have to point out that on the packaging and instructions for the dome, it will probably say it should not be used with a CHE. I only bring this up, because I have a fluker's dome and that's what it said on the packaging for mine. Also with the instructions that came with the Zoomed CHE I have, also says it should not be used with a dome fixture, and should only be used with a wire cage fixture. Being a sucker for rules, I bought the wire cage even though I already had the dome, lol.

I have read on different forums that people use regular clamp lamps as well as dome fixtures for CHE, as long as the socket is porcelain, it shouldn't overheat and melt. Obviously, it also depends on the maximum wattage of the dome fixture, and wattage of the CHE, as well as the temperature of the room that everything is in. Just something to take into account and watch out for, hope that helps!

Ok thanks, that’s true mine thought the probe cord was a very fun jungle vine, i’ll get a che for sure when i have the chance:)

The lamp does not make to top of the tank too hot? My controller is on/off and the top of the tank is a sortof wire screen

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Just to make sure

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Originally Posted by Jasmijn

The lamp does not make to top of the tank too hot? My controller is on/off and the top of the tank is a sortof wire screen

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Just to make sure

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I hung mine so that it's above the screen a fraction of an inch. I was worried about the same thing. The previous owner had it resting directly on the mesh and you can see where the plastic surround deformed a bit from the heat. It hasn't got any worse now that it's not touching. I've also seen a few people that lay a couple small dowels over the top to rest the fixture on.