Cheap but Reliable Thermostat?

[Chkadii]

This is slightly off topic, but... How do you set up a backup thermostat?
I have a herpstat 2 on my rack, and the heat tape is wired to a lamp cord, which plugs directly into the T-stat. Where does the second T-stat come in?

At risk of derailing the thread (though it looks like OP made their decision), here's a diagram I created at work because I'm a huge dork:

[KitaCat]

At risk of derailing the thread (though it looks like OP made their decision), here's a diagram I created at work because I'm a huge dork:

Hahaha, that's brilliant. I'm a huge dork too, no judgement here. Thanks for the explanation/visualization!

So if the goal is to have the backup T-stat on on/off mode, could you get away with using an on/off T-stat rather than a proportional one? Just for the backup, not the main T-stat.

[Jabberwocky Dragons]

Hahaha, that's brilliant. I'm a huge dork too, no judgement here. Thanks for the explanation/visualization!

So if the goal is to have the backup T-stat on on/off mode, could you get away with using an on/off T-stat rather than a proportional one? Just for the backup, not the main T-stat.

Right, you should always use an on/off t-stat for the back-up.

[Ax01]

Step 4 of the How-To-Guide for setting up a tank (found here - http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-With-Pictures!) lists thermostats for 3 price range. i myself got 2 Hydrofarms running since i only have 1 tank and 1 tub so far. once i set up a rack, i'll get the Herpstat to run the heat tape.

[EarMice]

I use Hydrofarm with a lamp dimmer. The lamp dimmer is set 5 degrees above my ideal temperature.