Need Some Help... Tub/Tank sharing a Thermostat.

[Sarin]

Okay.. I am having SO much trouble setting up my tub and tank to the same thermostat. I thought it'd be as easy as plugging them both in but it's not. Here's my setup information.

I have a 20 L terrarium with a ZooMed 30-40 Gallon U.T.H Hooked up to a ZooMed Reptitemp 500R thermostat with NO problems at all. The thermostat probe is taped onto the outside of the U.T.H.

I am in the process of setting up a 34 quart tub which has a ZooMed 10-20 Gallon U.T.H. I've tried EVERYTHING and no matter what, the thermostat will not properly regulate both U.T.H's. It seems the tub is always colder then the tank.

I have two separate thermometers for each U.T.H and both are working fine.

Here is a picture of my setup:



All I can think of is the fact that one U.T.H is smaller then the other....



Do you guys have any ideas how I can regulate both without a problem? I don't mind 1-2 degree differences but we're talking about 5-6 degree differences.

I would just buy another thermostat but they cost me at least $40 here.

Thanks.

[mrshawt]

Yes, a main reason is because of the UTH size difference. Also, glass and plastic insulate differently. My only recommendation is the get another tstat.

[Buttons]

For that thermostat to regulate two seperate UTHs properly the tanks would have to be exactly or pretty close to the same.

[Sarin]

Darn... that's a shame. I'll see if I can get another tstat for cheap. In the meantime I will use my spare dimmer on the tub setup.

Thanks!

[Argentra]

That UTH on the tank is way too big! All you need on a 20long is a 10-20 sized pad.
That said, it's the difference in the pads that's making the temps different. Get them both to the same size and you won't need another t-stat.

[mrshawt]

Darn... that's a shame. I'll see if I can get another tstat for cheap. In the meantime I will use my spare dimmer on the tub setup.

Thanks!

http://reptilesupply.com has them for $25.

[Kaorte]

Another option, move the tstat probe to the tub and then hook a dimmer up to the big UTH and then into the thermostat.

Just a thought.

[Sarin]

Another option, move the tstat probe to the tub and then hook a dimmer up to the big UTH and then into the thermostat.

Just a thought.

I thought about that but it is too much of a hassle. I need to move the tub to get the snake out and therefore risking the probe to be misplaced and causing temperature spikes on Oz's terrarium.

http://reptilesupply.com has them for $25.

Thanks but I live in Canada. The shipping and exchange rates would kill me.

That UTH on the tank is way too big! All you need on a 20long is a 10-20 sized pad.
That said, it's the difference in the pads that's making the temps different. Get them both to the same size and you won't need another t-stat.

The 10-20 gallon was too small. My room temperatures are chilly so I upgraded to a 30-40 gallon. It only covers 1/3 of the tank and is a right temperature, he still has a cool and a warm side.