Tub Questions

[mrshawt]

Apparently there is something wrong with my dimmer, because I tested it last night on Toby's tank (which has a heat lamp). As soon as I plugged it into Mona's dimmer, the light got REALLY bright, even on the lowest setting. I was able to adjust it from there, but it didn't go low enough - and immediately raised his hot side from 90 to 97. Yikes. So I tried to buy a new one today, but unfortunately they didn't have anything at the store... guess I'll just order one online, and keep her UTH on top until it arrives. Thanks everyone!

Lowes carries them.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...-WH&lpage=none

[Patricia]

Btw, when I was at Wal-mart last week, I bought one of these by accident (thinking it was the probe kind): http://www.weatherconnection.com/pro...0364&s=froogle

Here's a picture of the actual AcuRite with the probe:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s....php?p=1091405

Plug that into the ReptiTemp 500R.

Or, here's a thread about using a light dimmer, how you have to think "backwards" to use it, and the markings to make (I have these added to my Faves for quick reference):
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...t.php?p=855662

Oh, those tiny nubbles that come with the ZooMed UTH raise the tank by only a few millimeters. You could buy bigger ones from various stores. Hubby put a long, wooden block on each end of our tank, raising it by over an inch.

HTH!

[mrshawt]

Here's a picture of the actual AcuRite with the probe:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s....php?p=1091405

Plug that into the ReptiTemp 500R.

The Accurite doesn't get plugged into the 500r.

[Patricia]

The Accurite doesn't get plugged into the 500r.

Duh! Thanks for coming to the rescue! The AcuRite goes inside the tank/tub, at the cool end, with the probe going to the warm end. It's the UTH that gets plugged into the 500R.

[Lolo76]

I knew what you meant, LOL. I actually tried to go to Lowe's just now, since I was heading down to the Peninsula anyway... but I couldn't find the darned store! I'll try again tomorrow, and go the one that's easier to locate. Thanks all!

P.S. I found some furniture movers (like coasters you slip under the furniture), and put those under the tub - raised it probably 1/8-1/4 of an inch.

[mrshawt]

I knew what you meant, LOL. I actually tried to go to Lowe's just now, since I was heading down to the Peninsula anyway... but I couldn't find the darned store! I'll try again tomorrow, and go the one that's easier to locate. Thanks all!

P.S. I found some furniture movers (like coasters you slip under the furniture), and put those under the tub - raised it probably 1/8-1/4 of an inch.

That should be all the space you'll need for airflow. If heat's building up too much under the tub, you could just lay down some hot glue in globs to raise it up.

[Gkwon]

How much are rheostats or thermostats. Im looking for a good price.

[mrshawt]

How much are rheostats or thermostats. Im looking for a good price.

The Repti temp 500r is about $25-30, depending on where you find them online. Johnson or Rancos are $70 (pre-wired, I think). Helix and Herpstats are over $100.

Best bang for your buck if you have one snake is the 500r. I use it and it works great, just make sure to have a backup like a light dimmer in case it goes on the fritz (as any tstat can).

I also recommend a tstat over a rheostat unless your house temps are always stable. Otherwise, you have to adjust the darn thing all the time to account fo temp fluctuations.

[Lolo76]

The temperatures here (both outside and in my house) are pretty stable - it rarely gets above or below 50-60, regardless of the season! So hopefully the rheostat will be sufficient for now, since I can't afford to buy 3 thermostats. That's all I have on Toby's glass tank, and I never have to adjust it.

[Lolo76]

Update: I finally got a new dimmer (thanks Lowe's!), and it made a huge difference. I now have the hot side stabilized around 90, but the ambient is still just over 70... I set up the heat lamp near the tub, which is SLOWLY raising the temperature. Getting better!