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Where can i get a decent priced thermastate?
- Thread starter CassieK
- Start date
Twizzy
New member
This is one that I have used with my UTH in the past..not sure if it is the best but it worked okay
http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=75
But it is cheap but honestly if you have the right sized UTH for your tank and you use a probe thermometer..you probably dont need the thermostat unless you have major temp changes in your house..most of the smaller UTH's if used on just one side of the tank will just keep it the right temp and still give your snake lots of room to have a cool side..Hope that helps
Good luck!!
http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=75
But it is cheap but honestly if you have the right sized UTH for your tank and you use a probe thermometer..you probably dont need the thermostat unless you have major temp changes in your house..most of the smaller UTH's if used on just one side of the tank will just keep it the right temp and still give your snake lots of room to have a cool side..Hope that helps
Good luck!!
Get the thermostat. Ignore the part above about using a UTH without any regulation. Most UTHs without a thermostat or rheostat are FAR TOO HOT for corn snakes.
You can get a ZooMed 500R at reptilesupply.com or reptiledirect.com for about $23 plus shipping. You will still also need a digital thermometer with a probe.
You can get a ZooMed 500R at reptilesupply.com or reptiledirect.com for about $23 plus shipping. You will still also need a digital thermometer with a probe.
Blue Apple Herps
aka Matthew, PhD
Twizzy said:But it is cheap but honestly if you have the right sized UTH for your tank and you use a probe thermometer..you probably dont need the thermostat unless you have major temp changes in your house..most of the smaller UTH's if used on just one side of the tank will just keep it the right temp and still give your snake lots of room to have a cool side..Hope that helps
Good luck!!
Ummmm...completely ignore this advice. Worst advice ever. NEVER run any heating element without some sort of control. Whether it's a thermostat or rheostat, whatever. But DO NOT just let it run.
You could go with the ZooMed 500R for about $25 as was already mentioned. Some people say they've had issues with it; I used them for a while and they were fine. Or if you can round up a little more $$, you could get a Johnson or Ranco: http://www.reptilebasics.com/home.php?cat=250 They're supposed to be very good thermostats that have a nice digital read out for you to program the temperature.
Or the cheapest option, is if your room temps are pretty stable, just get a rheostat (or dimmer switch) and set the temp that way. But keep in mind it will fluxuate with room temps as it's set at a constant state and will not adjust like a thermostat.
Twizzy
New member
Sorry feeling a bit attacked here..If you reread my post I said to only not use the rheostat or thermometer if she is using a probe!! If you monitor and are using the right sized UTH ..I have never had one fail but I check my snakes daily morning and night so if one went bad I would know!! Not everyone can afford everything when they get into this hobby it is the sad part and if she is just using a rheostat it can be just as harmful if they arent properly monitoring the temps with a probe!! JUST MHO!!!!
MerlinsPop
New member
Twizzy... Glad you explained, because your original post omitted the part of using a rheostat. You did advise to use a probe thermoter, but that got a little lost in the next sentence. Don't feel attacked, it's just that your advice wasn't totally clear and some was left open to interpretation.
Twizzy
New member
Okay just adding a bit more as I feel that this may be something ..that folks have different opinions on..I have used 20and 30 gallon L tanks..With those I use the small UTH w/ a probe only if I'm in town..if I go away I then use a rheostat like the one mentioned.
My concern is and I have seen this so much since I got into this hobby that so many people go to the local petstore get sold these basic items and never monitor temps with a probe thermometer..It is so important to do this and just because you use a rheostat/dimmer even it doesnt mean your going to get the right temp still..Only the proportional digital display ones that are 130-175 will you get a total temp control.
So if this person can only afford 50 dollars like they are saying I'd rather see their tank monitored with a probe thermometer first off to see if the tank is too hot and if it is then they need to invest in a control like the ones we have all mentioned earlier.(Even my dimmer/rheostat on my rack needs daily adjusting with temps fluctuations)
We all have seen folks that have started this hobby and not been given all the info and are on limited funds. Personally I do months of research prior to getting into anything but not everyone has done that or found a site like this to get good advice..Sorry If my posts last nite were a bit sketchy..but it was late and wanted to lend a hand. I'll defer in the future to those that have been around longer.
My concern is and I have seen this so much since I got into this hobby that so many people go to the local petstore get sold these basic items and never monitor temps with a probe thermometer..It is so important to do this and just because you use a rheostat/dimmer even it doesnt mean your going to get the right temp still..Only the proportional digital display ones that are 130-175 will you get a total temp control.
So if this person can only afford 50 dollars like they are saying I'd rather see their tank monitored with a probe thermometer first off to see if the tank is too hot and if it is then they need to invest in a control like the ones we have all mentioned earlier.(Even my dimmer/rheostat on my rack needs daily adjusting with temps fluctuations)
We all have seen folks that have started this hobby and not been given all the info and are on limited funds. Personally I do months of research prior to getting into anything but not everyone has done that or found a site like this to get good advice..Sorry If my posts last nite were a bit sketchy..but it was late and wanted to lend a hand. I'll defer in the future to those that have been around longer.
Blue Apple Herps
aka Matthew, PhD
Twizzy said:
You're not being attacked, but your advice is. You mentioned nothing about a rheostat. And if you can't afford to properly house your snakes, then don't get a snake. It's that simple. And rheostats are not 100%, nothing is. But they're better than just letting a UTH run. Any UTH I've ever had experience with will reach well over 100º if just plugged in. That is dangerous for your snake. If you want to risk it, fine. But telling others its ok is poor advice. Plain and simple.
Back to the OP, use a thermostat or at the very least a rheostat. DO NOT just let any heating device run, even if you are monitering temps. It is a recipe for disaster.
tsst said:
I've used several 500Rs and once set properly I would check them often but they don't need adjusting at all once set and watched for a decent amount of time to allow for everything to settle and warm up. Sure they usually have a range of 3-5 degrees, but 81-85 is ok as long as it doesn't go over 85.
As for only having $50 to spend, well, Accurite digital indoor/outdoor thermometer with probe, dual display and hygrometer $11.88 plus tax at WalMart. ZooMed 500R $23 plus shipping ($8-9 usually) from above mentioned online sources. Still well under $50 for both. You could probably get a digital thermometer with probe from the same source as the thermostat for under $10 also.
CassieK
Animal Fanatic
thank you every one for the comments & advice. I am oredering one of the repi 500r and i will go to walmart later to get a better thermomater. Thanks again for all the advice. I did reseach corn snake quite abit but it was some of the little things like what works best to keep your snake happythat i couldnt find. All the stuff i found just said get a UTD and thermometer and your good. I have it turned of so she wont get burned and i have just the ceramic heat bulb keeping her tank warm till i get what i need.
Thanks
Cassie
Thanks
Cassie
Twizzy
New member
blueapplepaste said:
Sorry but I'm just really finding you to be very harsh..First off yes folks should highly consider what they are getting into prior to this like alot of us have..Be well assured my snakes are all very well cared for and have the funds to give them the best and then some!!
BUT and I repeat BUT there are many that get pets/reptiles that don't understand everything that is involved with it..and from a caring point of view was just trying to help this person with what is a good way to start in my opnion with limited funds. Yes having it all is optimal but it sounds like they just cant do it!
So they have to get rid of there snake?!?!?blueapplepaste said:
blueapplepaste said:
Now as for your UTH hitting 100 dgrees have no idea how large of a one you are using but i only have ever used the small ones and they keep the tanks just at the right temp! So there are many degrees to think about here but basically telling the person they need to get rid of their snake just because they maybe got in over their head is HARSH!! I'm sure with sometime and proper monitoring & more funds they will be able to get everything they need!!
Heck I wouldn't feed my dog ol'roy food since it has an ingredient in it that will kill your dog but many do. You just seem to be very black and white and I was just trying to help this person that obviously is new to the hobby. Do you really think if you tell them to go buy some expensive piece of equipment they will ..that they cant afford and that they seriously are going to get rid of their snake?!?..We are here to try to help and make the best of a situation.
Anyways I'm done with this and will move on and Cassie I wish you lots of luck and hope you get everything you and your snake need in time..Dont let this discourage you please..and I'm sure you just want what is absolutely best for your snake..Good luck and I cant wait to hear..How he or she is doing!!!!
CassieK
Animal Fanatic
the original UTH that i had had is own monitoring system it broke and i got a cheap one for now cause. i am in college and my feoncee's brother got hit by a car last moth it cost us $400 to go back home and see him (he is doing just fine now) i had also spent about $100 to get her completly set up with a better lide and hides and stuff like that. I also spent $78 on getting her food. I dont make much money and was fired when i told my boss i had to go home to see my feoncees brother. I just dont have the funds right now and i know it is something that can't wait. please dont think of me as and irisponsible owner just lot things happend at one time and i cant afford much of anything.
Cassie
Cassie
Rich in KY
Fortunate Fool
CassieK said:
Cassie I don't think anyone here thinks you are irresponsible. We all understand how financial emergencies happen. It is very responsible for you to ask what is needed on here and going out to get the best solution you can afford.
If you have any questions in the guture feel free to ask them on here.
Susielea
Lily
Hi Cassie, just a small point, if you're using a ceramic heat bulb then you don't need a UTH. I have all my corns on ceramic heating at present and they are absolutely fine and have been for the last 5 years!
You should still be regulating the temperature with a thermostat and checking with a probe thermometer (on top of substrate and inside hides for ceramic heating).
If you're already doing this there is no need to pay out for a heat pad and rheostat/thermostat and another thermometer!
Best wishes,
You should still be regulating the temperature with a thermostat and checking with a probe thermometer (on top of substrate and inside hides for ceramic heating).
If you're already doing this there is no need to pay out for a heat pad and rheostat/thermostat and another thermometer!
Best wishes,
Blue Apple Herps
aka Matthew, PhD
Twizzy said:
I apologize for coming off as harsh. Re-reading my posts it definately seems that way. And do not doubt that you care for your snakes. I'm just saying that an unregulated heat source is a recipe for disaster.
I agree that people often get into reptiles (or any animal for that matter) w/o being fully informed. But again, suggesting an unregulated heating device is a sure fire way to hurt if not kill a snake. Sure optimal is having a Helix for every tank and so forth; not everyone can swing that (I know I can't). But a $10 dimmer switch or homemade rheostat shouldn't be too difficult; especially if the well being of the animal depends on it.
If its to the point where the animal's needs cannot be met (proper temps, food, vet visits if necessary, etc) then yes, they should give it up.
Flexwatt will get well into the 90's and I used to have a couple ZooMed UTH (the 20g size) that if just plugged in got up to 110º+.
I'm not saying to get rid of it. I'm saying that its needs to be fully met safely. If they cannot meet the snake's needs, is it fair to the animal that it's improperly cared for?
Which is why the 500R or rheostat was mentioned. Of course I don't expect someone new to the hobby and with only a snake or two to drop $125 for a thermostat. But they should be ready to drop $10 for a rheostat.
Indeed. Cassie, you made a good choice with the 500R. Keep in mind that it doesn't have a temperature reading (just hot - low). So you'll have to get a thermometer with a probe and use that to set the temp, which you said you're going to do which is awesome!.