help me make a shopping list

[pbr]

So im going to get the rest of the stuff i need for pabst 30g tank but im not sure what that is all i have right now is a 100wt bulb 2hides water bowl beding help please i now i need a uth and better thermometers but what kind and what else
Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

[Kaorte]

You already have her set up in a tank, correct?

Do you need the light because your ambient temps are too low? Do you have any heat source currently?

Are you planning to just head to a pet store to get everything? You might find better deals on hides/water bowls/thermometers if you go to the dollar store or walmart/home depot.

[pbr]

Yes she is in a tank now and the only heat source i have is the lamp and its keeping it about 80-83 so i would like something else and i was hopein to get it all at a pet store but if there r better/chearper places (not online i NEED it today) ide love to know

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

[Kaorte]

Alright gotcha.

Yeah 83 is great for your ambient temps, but you will need a little more for your hot spot.

To be clear, you absolutely need a thermostat controlling your UTH. Now, Pet stores will generally carry some kind of thermostat, but they are usually expensive and not very good. I would suggest ordering one online. The Hydrofarm Thermostat on Amazon is the cheapest digital thermostat but isn't the -best- one available. If you have the cash, I would go for a herpstat.

In the meantime, another heat lamp can help you keep the temps up until your thermostat arrives. If you want to save money, buy a cheap dome light fixture from Home Depot instead of paying the pet store price for a light fixture that is basically the same.

As for thermometers, I find pet store ones to be over priced. I use Accurite Weather Stations and they serve me well as an all in one unit. I've found them at Home Depot in the past, but recently I haven't seen them. I would try lowes or Walmart. Just ask where the indoor/outdoor thermometers are and someone should be able to point you in the right direction. You want the unit that has a wired probe to measure the "outside" temp and measures inside temp and humidity at the unit.

[pbr]

Should i put a higer watt bulb in the hot side and put a 75wt onthe cool side and is a uth a MUST

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

[captainjack0000]

I'm not sure where you are at, what your ambient room temps and humidity are like, but I wouldn't use a heat bulb of any kind at all. I have used them before but hands down suggest a regulated UTH.

I would get the AcuRite thermometer somebody suggested above. I would get a UTH heating pad for the size of tank (like a ZooMed), and a way to regulate its temp. Some people on here will disagree with me for using a rheostat, but I use a dimmer switch from a hardware store and the AcuRite thermometer. I played around with the dimmer until I got the temperature I wanted and I haven't touched the dimmer switch since. I've just left the thing plugged in forever.

I assume you have hides, substrate/bedding, and a water bowl. If not, grab those too. (Edit: Now I see that you do have them....)

You might want 4 small blocks. I'm not sure what your tank will be sitting on, but if its like a desk or shelf, the little rubber feet the UTH pad comes with are horrible. You need someting to prop up your tank with to help air flow under the heating pad. Wire shelves are an amazing alternative. I don't even prop up the tank with those.

[mikel81]

In the meantime, another heat lamp can help you keep the temps up until your thermostat arrives. If you want to save money, buy a cheap dome light fixture from Home Depot instead of paying the pet store price for a light fixture that is basically the same.

If you do get a fixture from HD, make sure it has a porcelain base and is the correct wattage. Usually you will find cheap $5 dome lights with a plastic base and those will melt with a heat bulb running in it all day. I honestly would just get the one meant for a heat light from the petstore. Imagine it melting your animal's enclosure or starting a fire while you are away. Not worth saving a few dollars.