UTH and Thermostats What Should I Set it to

[blackonblack]

Im running a UTH with a thermostat. I have the probe sandwiched between the UTH and the glass bottom. On top I have a quarter inch to half inch of reptibark. What should I set the thermmostat to to get bellyheat of 85 degrees? How much is lost through the glass? Is 89 degrees too high to set thermostat to?

[KMG]

Your going to have to play with it. I usually start at the target number and slowly adjust it up until the surface temp is where I want it.

So set it to 85 and check it a couple hours later. Adjust it and check in a few more hours. Keep doing that until the tanks surface temp is where you want it. Just know the temp takes a good while to adjust. Don't think 15 minutes is enough.

[wycked]

If you have something to measure heat with just set the t-stat to 85, measure the temp on the substrate after a little while and slowly adjust the t-stat up until you get the desired temp on the substrate.

Different t-stats and uths have variances. So definitely pick up a temp gun of some type to get accurate measurements and adjust as needed.

[martin82531]

Here is a good thermometer to test your surface temps.

http://www.acurite.com/environment/t...red-probe.html

[blackonblack]

I bought an infared temperature gun. But i am struggling with it. Seems my substrate temp is always changing. I am using sort of an "off brand" (petsmart house brand) UTH. Maybe thats why. It's appearing that the temperature variues on the bottom of the UTH.

[blackonblack]

Im using this

[KMG]

Are you running a proportional tstat?

[blackonblack]

Are you running a proportional tstat?

No.... I realize I may need one.

I am using these. $15 dollar thermostats Called STC-1000. I have 2 wired in a box. 1 controls UTH other CHE. I am finding they work well but they are constantly cycling everything on and off. Thinking about a herpstat 2 but at $200. It has to be WAY better than my current system. I could run 2 dimmers in between the tstat and the heaters to keep the cycling down.

[KMG]

Herpstat2 would be good. They are great units. I have two 1s, a 2, and a 4. I love them all.

Once you get one your temps will stay steady.

[blackonblack]

200 bucks is hard to swallow. I just missed their yearly sale too.