Flexwatt!

[Alicia Marie]

Okay, I've decided to attempt this flexwatt idea. . . although I'm a little nervous at setting it up. How much do I need for a tank 48x18x18 (lwh)? Also, I've read about people using a dimmer swith temporarily, then switching to a thermostat. Is this a good idea, and if I do it that way, how do you hook the dimmer in line with the flexwatt?. . . I think that's all the questions I have for now, but there will be more to come. Can anyone help? Bye the way, I'm housing corns, and the tank is divided down the middle 24x18x18.

[Shelby]

You could get either one or two feet of 11" wide flexwatt. Go for 2' if the room the cage is in is on the cooler side.

Dimmer switches aren't really very reliable.. they're ok if you are in a pinch, but if you can, go for the thermostat. Much more stable temps for your herps.

If you want to wire a dimmer though, all you do is take the power cord that is connected to the flexwatt.. split the wire in half somewhere in the middle of the cord and cut one of the halves. Solder the two wires of the dimmer (not the grounding wire, this is usually a different color from the power wires) to the cut wire and tape it up with electrical tape.

I hope that made sense.. if it didn't, I'll try again. lol

[Alicia Marie]

lol, no, it made perfect sense. . . I've seen diagrams, but never noticed which cord was the split one, and knowing nothing of electrical. . . might of ended up in a bit of a pickle :S. lol. . . Is okay to use the dimmer until I can afford the thermostat?

[SatanicIntention]

Or you could go to Home Depot and buy a Lutron Credenza lamp dimmer for $11. Ready to go and plug in

I need to invest in Home Depot stock...

[SarahMB]

Home Depot just opened a concept store a few blocks from my house!