which t-stat?

I am going to be upgrading to AP T3 cages by the end of summer and would like to know which t-stats people are having the best luck with. i will eventually get 2 T3s which will be in the same location. will i need 1 or 2 t-stats? I saw on ap.com that they recommend using a proportional tstat...is there a reason for this? is it really necessary?

any input is greatly appreciated

I personally think proporational is the way to go on racks and cages. There are two main proportional thermostats out there: Helix and Herpstat. I have three Herpstats (Two regular and one Herpstat II) and have never had any problems with them. I hear equally good things about Helix. My advice would be to check the options and price and make a decision from there.

I used to have two T3 cages where I used a JC thermostat, which is the on/off type tstat. The temps were very stable (2-3 degree variance) and I was happy with how it worked.

I have since moved to an AP rack system, one of the racks uses the heat cable which I control with a Herpstat proportional thermostat.

I haven't used a helix thermostat, I'd be interested to see how it works with the heat cable. Just considering my options, the herpstat has one feature that I could see as a possible advantage over using a helix to control heat cable. The heat cable requires more "juice" than flexwatt heat tape does, and the herpstat enables you to adjust the power output to match the efficiency of the heat source you are using. I'm not sure the helix has this same feature.

The herpstats I use have worked perfectly. The next thermostat I buy will be a helix, just so I can make a final decision for myself between the two products.

Helix is used exclusively by large breeders such as NERD, VPI, RDR, etc. That's got to mean something. ;)

I have had flawless success with my Helix units. I was turned on to them by Adam at 8ball. My old time pal Bob Clark uses Helix aswell. Good luck with you decision. I purchased mine from www.beanfarm.com and have always has perfect service!

I'm getting rid of my thermostats and going to 55 gallon drums with fire inside ... the snakes can wear those little knit gloves with the finger tips cut off and everyone that comes to the shop can drink from bottles wrapped in brown paper bags.

Less trouble that way. :D:D:D

-adam

Go for the plastic drums. Not only do they put off great heat by a pleasant odor aswell :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by cueball

Go for the plastic drums. Not only do they put off great heat by a pleasant odor aswell :rolleyes:

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Great, now I'm going to get yelled at for advocating metal drums over plastic!!! ... LMAO! ... I'm just pure EVIL I tell ya. :twisted:

-adam

We'll let that one go Adam, we all know you're a little disgruntled this week, with all your schemes and plotting!

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

We'll let that one go Adam, we all know you're a little disgruntled this week, with all your schemes and plotting!

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Just plotting what day we're going to clean next week with 4th of July on Tuesday and all .... maybe I'll make Big Brad come in on Tuesday with a sparkler in his teeth while he cleans??? :D:D:D

-adam

You're on a roll man.........starting the 4th of july weeked a little early? :beer:

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

You're on a roll man.........starting the 4th of july weeked a little early? :beer:

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I wish ... we still have a little over 120 babies to clean for the week, 3 clutches to set up in individual tubs, and two clutches to set up out of the incubator ... then off to Fish & Wildlife/Northwest airlines tomorrow to ship snakes out overseas ... then rat barn ... THEN we party. ;)

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

then off to Fish & Wildlife/Northwest airlines tomorrow to ship snakes out overseas -adam

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Where in the world are you shipping snakes to???

Namibia?

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Originally Posted by cueball

Where in the world are you shipping snakes to???

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Hong Kong.

-adam

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Originally Posted by well_armed

i will eventually get 2 T3s which will be in the same location. will i need 1 or 2 t-stats?

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What do you think about this wise one?

Hong Kong=shocking :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Hong Kong.

-adam

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Who would have thought Adam was actually getting into the Asian meat-packing business. Not only do pieds look good...appearantly they're tasty too.

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Originally Posted by well_armed

I am going to be upgrading to AP T3 cages by the end of summer and would like to know which t-stats people are having the best luck with. i will eventually get 2 T3s which will be in the same location. will i need 1 or 2 t-stats? I saw on ap.com that they recommend using a proportional tstat...is there a reason for this? is it really necessary?

any input is greatly appreciated

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i've used just about all the stats out there, i currently choose to use proportional stats on my racks. i use both herpstat and helix, both work fine, personally i favor helix. they have been around longer and have stood the test of time ,imo. on/off stats will work also, just a little more sway or difference in your cage temps. one benefit to using a proportional stat may be if your cage is in a non-heated or low 70's deg. room they will help to keep temps more stable by not turning on/off. the proper heat source is just as vital as the proper stat! it would be hard to be a radiant heat panel and a helix for a cage setup!

vaughn

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

I'm getting rid of my thermostats and going to 55 gallon drums with fire inside ... the snakes can wear those little knit gloves with the finger tips cut off and everyone that comes to the shop can drink from bottles wrapped in brown paper bags.

Less trouble that way. :D:D:D

-adam

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i think this is the way i will go. ;)

but seriously thanks for all of the input. i'm going to have to make a deciusion between Helix and Herpistat. if i read the posts correctly i only need 1 t-stat if both cages will be stacked, right?

thanks again for the help and the laughs

You *should* be ok doing that but no guarantees. Sometimes the floor of the room is dramatically cooler than the ceiling. You'll have to play around with the probe placement to make sure both racks are heating evenly.