I have a 4 and 2. I'm glad I got the 4. If you at all think you will want more snakes, go with a bigger herpstat. Right now, you need at least a 2. The CHE can be run off a rheostat (lamp dimmer) if you can accurately read the temps with a heat gun, etc. and make proper adjustments. I have all my heating lamps and CHEs on rheostats / dimmers.