Thermostat

[MasonC2K]

OK, I've got $50 I can spend on a thermostat to use to regulate my UTH.

Suggestions?

Thanks.

[jhall1468]

Well, IMHO, your only real options are bumping it up $10 and buying an unwired Ranco, or check ebay for a used Ranco. I'm not fond of the on/off thermos for UTH regulation, but if that's your price that's your best bet. I wouldn't touch the Zoo-Med therms.

[Freakie_frog]

I'm with justin your look into a rheostat

[BPNewb]

I'm just starting out myself, and was going to buy the Reptitemp 500r thermostat....opinions? What's the benefit of the Ranco one you mentioned?

[Kagez28]

i have a zoomed 500r, a johnson control, and a ranco.

personally my favorite is the johnson control, just cause it is smaller then the ranco. they are both very durable and can handle alot.

i will say the zoomed is not bad. i used one for my ball's tank for a couple months. the only downside is there is on temperature readout, it's pretty much guess and check. but since i will be getting a rack june 6th (yay!!) i decided to get a better thermostat. if you do get the zoomed what will happen is you will have it for a couple months/years and then later you will want a ranco or a JC. i keep a zoomed around just in case.

i have a extra zoomed barley used, pm me if you decide on the zoomed.

[Kagez28]

i forgot to post this, here is a nice comparison for the different thermostats available.

http://mgreptiles.com/THERMOCOMPARE.html

[BPNewb]

cool, that's really helpful .... what's the best place to shop for the 'better' thermostats? I've browsed Petsmart/Petco and the selection is poor (which I expected). The reptile shop where I got my BP is really limited in selection too. ... in your opinion is it necessary/recommended to drop the temperature at night? I've heard yes, and no...

[lord jackel]

... in your opinion is it necessary/recommended to drop the temperature at night? I've heard yes, and no...

No...unless you are breeding and it is breeding time.

Try Rich at www.ReptileBasics.com for the thermostats he carries all the good ones and is a great guy to deal with.

[jhall1468]

i will say the zoomed is not bad. i used one for my ball's tank for a couple months. the only downside is there is on temperature readout, it's pretty much guess and check. but since i will be getting a rack june 6th (yay!!) i decided to get a better thermostat. if you do get the zoomed what will happen is you will have it for a couple months/years and then later you will want a ranco or a JC. i keep a zoomed around just in case.

My experience with zoomed was terrible. I have personally seen temp readouts 10 degrees or more off. The difference between 92 degree heat tape, and 102 degree heat tape is one nasty belly burn.

Zoomeds are a waste IMHO. Spend the extra $20 now and you'll be able to continue using the Ranco or JC once you make the switch to Helix or Herpstat (which, if you intend on keeping any number of herps, you will make that switch). My first On/Off therm was a Ranco, now it controls ambient temps. You could buy the zoomed now, and then end up bying the Ranco or JC and then you've invested some $100 instead of the $60 the Ranco would have cost in the first place.

[PythonWallace]

You can make a rheostat for under $10 and use it until you find a used Helix or save up to buy a new proportional thermostat. I got my Helix with the night drop cord for $65 used. I think it would have been twice that to get a new one shipped w/ the cord. A rheostat is better than an on/off thermo if you have an UTH, as long as you keep an eye on it.