PLease help - thermostat suggestions wanted.

[greg728]

I have a zoo-med uth for my glass tank, and I just realized by doing the research that I should hook up a thermostat to my uth... What are some suggestions of reliable thermostats that people are using?? And once I plug my heater into the thermostat, where do I measure my temps at?? Directly on the glass or should I measure the ambient?? Do I need a thermostat with probes? Can I hook up 2 probes for warm & cool sides? How much $$ am I looking at, and where can I purchase one? Sorry for all the questions, I really need clarification.

[greg728]

p.s. the guy at the at pet shop I got my snake from never mentioned any of this. he acted like he knew everything but i realize now how ignorant some people really are...

[stevepoppers]

If you're strapped for cash, this cheap hydrofarm will work. If not, I'd get a herpstat from spyder robotics. If you get a better model, you'll have several probes, each with their own independent thermostat, all in one unit. Pretty much overkill for one tub, or even one rack (of the same species).

The basic setup goes like this:

substrate
thermometer probe
enclosure bottom
thermostat probe
heat source

Edit: Also, there is a sticky either in general balls or in ball husbandry about glass tank setups. It has a ton of info on it.

Yeah, pet shops are not to be trusted. Listen to breeders and fellow enthusiasts only. Even vets have been known to make big mistakes. Like so bad that one blinded someone's ball trying to remove unshed eye caps.

[snakesRkewl]

Tried and true cheap repti-temp 500R
http://www.ihome.com/product//11442-...ermometer.html

I prefer the herpstat proportional for a better quality thermostat.
http://spyderrobotics.com/products/herpstat.html

The thermostat probe goes under the tank taped against the UTH.
To set your temperature you place a probe for your thermometer directly on the UTH inside the enclosure.
Your looking for a 90 to 92 degree hot spot.

Shame on the pet store for selling you a UTH and not mentioning that it needs to be plugged into a thermostat.
The last Zoo-med 16 watt UTH I check went to about 120 degrees plugged directly into the wall

[bsash]

I love the Johnsons Controls thermostats! I actually bought two more after my first one that I purchased I liked it so much. I guess I'm set on thermostats for awhile, but I guess if anything happens to them, I always have a replacement.

[stevepoppers]

Shame on the pet store for selling you a UTH and not mentioning that it needs to be plugged into a thermostat.

Dude, I ordered a ReptiTemp from my local petshop, and they looked at the thing like they had no idea what it was. From the fact that they said they'd never used it before, I'd safely wager they didn't.

And are you aware that there is a comparatively priced digital alternative to the ReptiTemp?

One of my ZooMeds hit 140. =O

[Vypyrz]

Personally I use a Herpstat, but I have used both Ranco and Johnson before with no issues. Also there is the Helix. Mainly, it's going to come down to what you want to spend and what kind of features you want...

Here is another link. It's Reptile Basics...

http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermostats/

[BMorrison]

Herpstat all the way. Buy directly and get the grounded one, Dion is top notch. If it's for a tank I set the t-stat between 100-102 to get about 90 degrees for the hot spot. Hope this helps!

[snakesRkewl]

And are you aware that there is a comparatively priced digital alternative to the ReptiTemp?

I am aware of it but until I have used it and until it gets reviews that are favorable I won't suggest using it

[stevepoppers]

If it's for a tank I set the t-stat between 100-102 to get about 90 degrees for the hot spot.

It's off by that much? And you're measuring under the substrate? I just wouldn't expect that much heat loss.

I am aware of it but until I have used it and until it gets reviews that are favorable I won't suggest using it

Ah. Perfectly reasonable. I've just heard enough failure stories of the ReptiTemp. And that the Hydrofarm holds temps well. I believe it's proven for the seedling boxes it's marketed for. It's got to at least be easier to adjust.