Temp Fluctuations - how much should they?

[Razaiel]

I wondered how much temps fluctuate in a viv - is it OK/normal for them to fluctuate within a few degrees throughout the day? I have new CHE and new thermostat (which I thought might be faulty as the temps seemed to be fluctuating between 85 and 100 at the hot end last night). So I swapped it for my daughter's relatively new dimming thermostat this morning at 7 and it held exact temps all day - until about 7 this evening - when it had dropped a degree, then it dropped another degree, only to go up again about 15 mins later. Now it has dropped another degree again.

The viv (it's a new set-up) is positioned on my long dressing table and the hot end (where the CHE is) is under a window - would the open window cause the fluctation - though I would have thought the thermostat would compensate for this. One of the ventilation holes is also right behind the CHE - is this what could be causing it or is the fluctation throughout the day of just a few degrees acceptable? It's a 4 ft long viv so there's plenty of room for thermoregulation.

And one more thing - I'm not used to dimming thermostats (it belonged to my daughter on a viv she had) but not only does the mains light stay on, but also the other light (which goes off on a normal stat).

[Razaiel]

Hehe - replying to my own message - but I think I may have sorted out the problem (fingers crossed)


The viv is a different one to the ones I had before - I got it second hand because I didn't have much money and hubby pointed out that the backing material, instead of being thick like our other vivs, is more like thin plasterboard. So I've put some towels over the back and temps now seem to be holding fine.

[jglass38]

With a dimmer or even an on/off type tstat you are going to get some temperature fluctuations. Dimmers have no thermostat so what you set it at is a constant temperature. Any temp changes in the room will throw off the temps in the enclosure. On/off type tstats cycle the power to the heating element on or off as needed. While more stable than a dimmer, you will still see temperature fluctuations. A proportional type stat is the best for keeping the temps the most stable as it just reduces power to the heating element when it reaches the desired temp rather than shutting the power off. Hope this helps!

[Razaiel]

Thanks, Jamie - the original new one I got for this set up is the same as this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HABISTAT-300W-...QQcmdZViewItem

and that seemed to fluctuate all over the place too - I take it that isn't a proportional stat either - could you recommend me one?

EDIT: actually think I've just found one - it's this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HABISTAT-PULSE...QQcmdZViewItem

~Sue

[jglass38]

Thanks, Jamie - the original new one I got for this set up is the same as this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HABISTAT-300W-...QQcmdZViewItem

and that seemed to fluctuate all over the place too - I take it that isn't a proportional stat either - could you recommend me one?

~Sue

Looks like its an on/off type. As far as proportional:

1. Helix
2. Herpstat
3. Big Apple Herp "Herp Power"

Not sure where you live or what the availability is (I assume UK from the ebay listing) but the company who makes the 300W tstat you linked also appears to make a proportional:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pulse-Thermost...QQcmdZViewItem

Good luck!

Jamie

[Razaiel]

I've dealt with them before - yes I am from the UK so I shall be getting one. All my other stats for my other critters are the normal on/off type - I can seen an expensive month coming up - just as I promised hubby I wasn't going to spend any more on reptiles for a while ...


Thanks for your help, Jamie

~Sue

[jglass38]

I've dealt with them before - yes I am from the UK so I shall be getting one. All my other stats for my other critters are the normal on/off type - I can seen an expensive month coming up - just as I promised hubby I wasn't going to spend any more on reptiles for a while ...


Thanks for your help, Jamie

~Sue

The spending never ends with this hobby! Glad you found something that'll work!

J

[Razaiel]

That's true - and once I've got all my vivs set up with new stats I'll start looking at everything and thinking ... hmmm wouldn't mind another snake


Actually, would you recommend heat mats over CHE?

[jglass38]

Actually, would you recommend heat mats over CHE?

I would. I don't like overhead heating elements. They dry out the air. The only time they make sense (for me) is if you can't keep the temps up in the enclosure because of a very cold room.

[Razaiel]

Ahhhh *sighs* more money ... oh well, they are my babies