I've had it!!!

I'm so mad at myself. I got a 40 watt bulb to try and heat up my warm side. Thinking it was a low wattage, I put a towel on top of the lid and left for work.

Got home, checked the temps. 103 on the warm side, 90 on the cool side!!!:rage: I feel like such an idiot.

I'm going to bite the bullet, I made some money today and I'm going out tomorrow and buying a thermostat, that rheostat is not cutting it for his heat pad.

I want to buy a Zoo-Med Repti-temp 500R. Can anyone tell me exactlly how it works?

Does anybody even have this thermostat?

I'm sorry but I have a couple of Helix's. Did it come with a manual to read? Could you call the place of purchase for some instructions??

Ive never used it, but a few members here say they aren't worth the money.

I've used it, and it's better thought of as a rheostat. It will flucuate and keep you on your toes unless your room is an incredibly constant temperature.

It only has a small dial with a color indicated temperature; I used a felt tip permanent marker to mark where the ideal temps were.

Might as well save your money for a helix or other thermostat. You will want one in the end.

I bought one when i first got my setup. let me say this, less than a week later i bought a Helix and a Johnson thermostat. if you are low on cash and need a quick fix, the reptitherm 500 is the best of rheostats but i strongly suggest to get a thermostat in the near future.

the reptitherm has a dial that turns all the way from low to high. place the probe in and you have to toy with it for a little while.

I have two of these running on my racks and im very happy with them. Id say, if youre only using the T-stat on one tank, just get one of these guys unless you are completely willing to purchase one of the more expensive models.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's impossible to regulate temps and humidity in an open top container. Even with a thermostat!!!! You should look at some links on how to cover and insulate the walls and the TOP of your enclosure. A towel is not an effective cover. Think about making the tank airtight first. Then make holes for air to enter the cool side and flow out the warm side. My BP is very happy and healthy and growing like a weed. She is in a twenty gallon long tank with a single small uth pad and that's it. No bulb, no misting, no towels!!!! And the temps and humitity are spot-on all the time. Take a look at how tubs are set up. They are just airtight containers until someone drills a few holes in them. That's why they work so well.

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Originally Posted by Jenn

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's impossible to regulate temps and humidity in an open top container. Even with a thermostat!!!! You should look at some links on how to cover and insulate the walls and the TOP of your enclosure. A towel is not an effective cover. Think about making the tank airtight first. Then make holes for air to enter the cool side and flow out the warm side. My BP is very happy and healthy and growing like a weed. She is in a twenty gallon long tank with a single small uth pad and that's it. No bulb, no misting, no towels!!!! And the temps and humitity are spot-on all the time. Take a look at how tubs are set up. They are just airtight containers until someone drills a few holes in them. That's why they work so well.

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a towel on mine works fine. i think its a matter of what room its in and temperature in the house plays more of a role.

Ranco or Johnson is the cheapest that I would recommend. The rest are usually made in China crap. You will be more frustrated when you buy it and still have problems. Been there done that.

The Repti-Temp 500R is a dial-type thermostat that isn't worth the plastic its made of....

I used one way back when and when it broke, rather than shut off, it just ran the heat element it was supposed to control at full power....good thing I was home to see it before it got too hot in there....

For a RELIABLE entry-level thermostat, Ranco or Johnson Controls is the way to go. They are built like tanks and will last a long time.

I was looking at all your suggestions, but the fact is a simply CAN'T afford one of those thermostats. Maybe after I get a job, but college is wiping me clean.

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Originally Posted by Sh0rty

I was looking at all your suggestions, but the fact is a simply CAN'T afford one of those thermostats. Maybe after I get a job, but college is wiping me clean.

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I totally hear you~ I'm in grad school and I know how it feels to live on Ramen (just ask my kids!) Can you beg? Borrow? Have any left over from financial aid? Look on Craig's List for your area and maybe check out an animal shelter; you never know, they might have one to lend until you can get yours! Good luck!

Ooops, I nearly forgot> a Helix is $135.00; that can be saved up!! Don't give up, for the safety of your snake!! :)

what I'll probably end up doing is getting the Repti-Temp for the time being. Better then a home-made rheostat. Then in the summer when I save a little money, I'll pick up a better one.

Oh man, don't even talk about Ramen, that's my breakfast lunch and dinner. I got the freshman 15, but in reverse!!!

I have been using the 500R since I got my bp about 3 months ago. I'm not having any problems with it. My only complaint really is that it allows for about a 4-5 degree variation in temp. The way I have mine set, it turns on when it gets to 89* and turns off at 94*. I do have a couple small pieces of advice for you though. Make sure you have your t-stat and thermometer probe set right next to each other. You may even want to use a nylon zip tie to fasten them together by the probes. Also, you will need to monitor the temps at least daily as you may need to adjust the setting as external temps fluctuate.

Overall, my opinion is that if you have one snake, one tank or tub, it will work for you better than a rheostat. If you're planning on running a rack with multiple tubs, I would invest in one of the higher end stats...

Good luck!

really, the reptitemp is awful. it would freak out on me. dropping to 72 and then spiking to 114. its not healthy at all for these animals. i spent the money and invested in a johnson ( 87.00 with shipping i think ) and it works perfectly. i only ever slightly adjust the thing if it gets well below freezing outside ( my snake is near a wall that is an outdoor wall ). other than that, its perfect. the reptitemps are 53, i'd see if you could get the other 30ish dollars and just spend the money once. and believe me, i know the money thing is a pain ( <<< fellow college kid! ).

good luck!

Hmmm... Maybe you got the lemon of the bunch, or I got the one good one out of the lot. I have mine set up on an outer wall also, but don't have any problems with temp spikes... And for the price, it works great for me. I got mine through reptilesupply.com for just over $20...

http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=75

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Originally Posted by Inknsteel

I have been using the 500R since I got my bp about 3 months ago. I'm not having any problems with it. My only complaint really is that it allows for about a 4-5 degree variation in temp. The way I have mine set, it turns on when it gets to 89* and turns off at 94*. I do have a couple small pieces of advice for you though. Make sure you have your t-stat and thermometer probe set right next to each other. You may even want to use a nylon zip tie to fasten them together by the probes. Also, you will need to monitor the temps at least daily as you may need to adjust the setting as external temps fluctuate.

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A good thermostat maintains a set temperature regardless of what the outside environment does. That's the whole point of having a thermostat. IMO the Repti-Temp barely even does that, not to mention the lack of safety features built it. If the fuse that turns the power on and off blows, the thermostat runs at full power. Not a very good scenario when live animals in confined spaces are involved...it's just a bad product overall. If you used one of the better thermostats for just a week, trust me, you'd agree.

Ok, granted the ReptiTemp is a piece of ****, but it's a WHOLE LOT better than no stat or a crummy dimmer! What this guy wants is something 'good enough' until he can afford the good stuff! I hear that, since I am also a college student living on loans. :)

I say, go for it and get the ReptiTemp...but get it at ReptileSupply.com. They are dirt cheap there for the same product. I currently have 4 running (mostly due to QT arrangements) one of those I've had for 6 months or more and no problems yet. Yes, you do have to tweak the thing from time to time, but it's a ton better than having your temps all over the place. Get it and set it up ASAP, then start saving the $80-$120 for a really good Johnson or Helix.

I think that using a $9 dimmer is a better idea than depending on a $20 thermostat. The temps in my snake room stay pretty consistant, so both my racks in there are on dimmers and I never really have to mess with them except for dropping the breeders at night. I would never trust a Reptistat after reading about the crazy fluctuations. I use a Helix for the rack in my living room and a Herpstat for my incubator, and I can't see myself ever buying a thermostat that wasn't a digital proportional. My .02 is to rig up a dimmer and start saving for a Herpstat.

I just ended up getting another UTH and building another rheostat for it. I also replaced that mesh top with plexiglass what I drilled about 10 holes into. MUCH better.

OH, btw I am a girl :D

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Originally Posted by PythonWallace

I think that using a $9 dimmer is a better idea than depending on a $20 thermostat. The temps in my snake room stay pretty consistant, so both my racks in there are on dimmers and I never really have to mess with them except for dropping the breeders at night. I would never trust a Reptistat after reading about the crazy fluctuations. I use a Helix for the rack in my living room and a Herpstat for my incubator, and I can't see myself ever buying a thermostat that wasn't a digital proportional. My .02 is to rig up a dimmer and start saving for a Herpstat.

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Is there any reason why you use a Herpstat for the 'bator? I'm planning for my first clutch during the '09 breeding season (cross fingers!) Also, you mention your rack in the living room. My son insists on the rack and cages being his bedroom since it is quieter in there (once he moves his big amp outta there!) I'm wondering if you've had any problems with the rack in your living room? Do you drap a cover over it at night (if you're still up) so the light doesn't bother them? Would sound at night bother them? Thanks so much and sorry for all the questions!

Edit: Did I just hijack this thread???? :/

Haha maybe just a little.

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Originally Posted by starmom

Is there any reason why you use a Herpstat for the 'bator? I'm planning for my first clutch during the '09 breeding season (cross fingers!) Also, you mention your rack in the living room. My son insists on the rack and cages being his bedroom since it is quieter in there (once he moves his big amp outta there!) I'm wondering if you've had any problems with the rack in your living room? Do you drap a cover over it at night (if you're still up) so the light doesn't bother them? Would sound at night bother them? Thanks so much and sorry for all the questions!

Edit: Did I just hijack this thread???? :/

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I haven't had any problems with it being in my living room. Nobody is home during the day when they are sleeping, and I do hang a navy blue pillowcase over the front of it from evening until morning. Even when we are home that room doesn't get much traffic. The only snakes in there are 3 breeder females and they were all eating fine and they are all breeding fine. Also, all the light in that room comes from my dart frog tanks, and they are on the same light cycle as my snake room, on timers.

The only reason I use the Herpstat for my incubator is because it's newer and my Helix was in use when I got it. I have a night drop cord for the Helix, but I don't have one for the Herpstat, so it made sense. So far I am loving the Herpstat more than my helix though.