You are confusing a thermoSTATs and thermoMETERs

A thermoSTAT is a devise that uses a temperature probe to control a heat source

a thermoMETER is a device that measures temperatures

You need both. The thermostat has a temperature probe that will be taped to the heating pad. the thermostat will then keep the heating pad at the temperatures that the thermostat is set to (the heating pad plugs into the thermostat then the thermostat plugs into the wall)

you will then need a probed thermometer to measure the temperature inside the cage.

Here are some good thermostats, stay away from the thermostats sold in pet stores they are junk

Budget: http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

Mid-Range: http://www.reptilebasics.com/ranco-etc-111000-pre-wired

Best: http://spyderrobotics.com/home/products.html


Here is a good probed thermometer, they can be purchased at Walmart for $12. The probe sit on the floor of the cage directly over the heating pad, and the unit sits on the cool side. this will tell you how hot the hot side of the cage is, and how cold the cool side is. You want the hot side to be 90 degrees, and the cool side to be 80 degrees.



Heating pads cannot heat the air inside the cage. this means that if the room that the cage is in gets colder than 75 degrees you will need a heat lamp to increase the temperature of the air inside the cage.