What should i use to controll the flexwatt?

[bamf64]

I am getting an '05 Hogg island boa and a 4x2x15 T10 cage for him, and i chose the 11" flexwatt as the choice for heating the enclosure. I dont want to go and spend 60-100 bucks on a ranco thermostat, so what kind of rheostat could i use to controll the flexwatt? will a cheap one from home depot work? I just need something to control the temperature of the flexwatt to the desired low to mid 80's *F.

[bamf64]

OR should i just go simpler and use a Zoomed UTH of the right size, but still use a dimmer?

[771subliminal]

I am getting an '05 Hogg island boa and a 4x2x15 T10 cage for him, and i chose the 11" flexwatt as the choice for heating the enclosure. I dont want to go and spend 60-100 bucks on a ranco thermostat, so what kind of rheostat could i use to controll the flexwatt? will a cheap one from home depot work? I just need something to control the temperature of the flexwatt to the desired low to mid 80's *F.

cant with wrong with a herpstat i use helix, ranco and herpstat and its my fav by far, it has the best features and they can control up 2 4 diff temp zones
http://spyderrobotics.com/products/index.html

[bamf64]

cant with wrong with a herpstat i use helix, ranco and herpstat and its my fav by far, it has the best features and they can control up 2 4 diff temp zones
http://spyderrobotics.com/products/index.html

did you read the post? i DONT want a rely expensive thermostat! i am wondering if i can use a cheap lamp dimmer to control my heating elements!

[blackcrystal22]

did you read the post? i DONT want a rely expensive thermostat! i am wondering if i can use a cheap lamp dimmer to control my heating elements!

Temporarily, not permanently.

He's saying that you will need to get an expensive thermostat eventually. They are part of the price and responsibility of the animal.
I have a Ranco from reptile basics. I got mine for $80.
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ranco-e...pre-wired.html

[bamf64]

Temporarily, not permanently.

He's saying that you will need to get an expensive thermostat eventually. They are part of the price and responsibility of the animal.
I have a Ranco from reptile basics. I got mine for $80.
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ranco-e...pre-wired.html

but im like really tight on money and i cant afford to get a ranco right now. it would be around august. but can i get a lamp dimmer until then?

[mainbutter]

I just don't trust flexwatt on anything other than pricey thermostats.

You can try it but you run risks. You REALLY have to monitor temps with both a digital thermometer and an IR thermometer often to be safe.

I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but no one is going to tell you that a dimmer is 'just fine' to run flexwatt.

[bamf64]

I just don't trust flexwatt on anything other than pricey thermostats.

You can try it but you run risks. You REALLY have to monitor temps with both a digital thermometer and an IR thermometer often to be safe.

I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but no one is going to tell you that a dimmer is 'just fine' to run flexwatt.

ah crap lol.

would it be ok to run with a heat pad?

[cinderbird]

I just don't trust flexwatt on anything other than pricey thermostats.

You can try it but you run risks.

THIS.

if you celebrate the holidays coming up, perhaps you can ask for a thermostat for Christmas?

What is best for your animals isn't always best for your wallet. There are heavy decisions you have to weigh when owning animals who rely on their environments and you for everything. And this may come off ass rude (which I don't mean for it to be) but i am wondering why you are getting an animal you can't afford to care for? If you don't have money for a thermostat.. do you have money for vet visits? Perhaps a payment plan would be a better option if its available? It would give you more time to prepare for your animal. Building cages is usually way less expensive than buying them. Thats a great way to cut costs.

I tried cheap "thermostats" i replaced mine in less than 3 weeks because it wasn't safe for my snake. The zoomedReptitemp500R i had would leave the INSIDE of my enclosures hot spot at 114 degrees F and that was when it was regulating! I sold that thing and got a Johnson Controls and haven't looked back since.

I understand you're looking for an inexpensive alternative but there are other areas where you can cut corners. (caging sometimes, hides, decor, etc) Heating is not one of them. IF you absolutely need to go the cutting corners route, don't use flexwatt. Everything I have ever read and seen about flex says it NEEDS a reliable thermostat. Flexwatt was not originally manufactured for reptiles, it was made as underfloor heating if memory serves me correctly.

[771subliminal]

did you read the post? i DONT want a rely expensive thermostat! i am wondering if i can use a cheap lamp dimmer to control my heating elements!

ill be honest i did read the post but most of skipped over the line you said your price point in, but the answer is still the same. when it comes down to how much you have invested in your hogg you want to have a thermostat that you can trust. you can spend $40 on a reo that "could" work but id rather spend the 70-80 on at least a ranco that i KNOW will work.