no. you buy the heat tape pre wired (reptile basics, I think?) The thermostat is a separate unit. Plug the thermostat into the wall, the heat tape into the thermostat. Put the probe on top of the heat tape and under the tub. Set the thermostat to the temperature you want your hot spot to be. Wait an hour or two. Check temp INSIDE tub with digital temp gun, on the floor of the tub (not air temp). Adjust thermostat until the temp reading is what you want your hot spot to be. The thermostat will turn on and off to keep the heat-tape from getting too hot or cooling too far so you don't burn or freeze your snakes.