my petunia... he es pretty.

[addsdad]

Thermostats are very important. That heat tape is going to get way to hot without one. Good thermostats are johnson controls, ranco, helix, and herpstat. I have a johnson controls and a herpstat nd. Before that, I did use the cheaper zoo med 500r with no problems (others will say that they are no good). At the least, you need to have the heat tape plugged into a dimmer switch. You can find these in the lighting department at Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

[monk90222]

it is not... tell me more!

You mean the heat tape is just plugged into the wall outlet?....That is a good way to have Fried Python for dinner!Unregulated heat tape can run to like 120 degrees...get a Ranco at least (like 40 or so bucks on ebay) or you can go big time and get a Helix for around $130....plug the tape into the stat and then the stat into the wall...place the probe on the tape....Set the stat to 93 and your done.

[lindsey crashed]

thanks guys, so on ebay just search for a ranco thermostat..? what all will i need to know to get the right one?

[monk90222]

Check these out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ranco-Electronic...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ranco-Electronic...QQcmdZViewItem

[lindsey crashed]

awesome! thanks a lot, friend.

[monk90222]

awesome! thanks a lot, friend.

No problem, homie!...lol

[lindsey crashed]

so for now, i have a 75 watt red bulb, should i unplug the heat tape and just shine the light on the tub...? it will be a couple weeks till i can get the ranco...

[hondo1967]

You need the tstat to control the temp the heat tape will get to. You dont want the tape to get to hot.

[monk90222]

so for now, i have a 75 watt red bulb, should i unplug the heat tape and just shine the light on the tub...? it will be a couple weeks till i can get the ranco...

If the bulb keeps his ambient temps in the mid 80's, he'll be OK for a few weeks....

[lindsey crashed]

fabulous. thanks a lot.