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Automatic Thermostat

Trouble

New member
I don't know if they make such a thing, but I am looking for something to plug my heater in to that will turn it on or off depending on the temperature of the tank. Being as I live in the Northwest and it doesn't ever know whether it wants to be hot or cold throughout the day I want something that can regulate the terrarium temperature itself.
 
That is pretty much the definition of a thermostat. Take a look at the Helix and Herpstat models; they're the best. Good ones in the midrange are Ranco and Johnson thermostats. And if you're on a tight budget, the Zoomed 500R.

I used to have the 500R, it was Ok, but not great. I now have a herpstat and it's the best.
 
Yup - agreed, you're describing a thermostat. Depending on what sort of heater you're using, there may be a stat that's specially made for it.

What do you use?
 
i <3 my herpstat! i NEVER have to worry about temps. it costs a pretty penny, but in my opinion it is DEFINITELY worth it in the long run.
 
i NEVER have to worry about temps.

Only posting this for possible new people who might think its completely hands off...

Make sure that you still monitor your temps and check your set up regularly. I have a Herpstat Pro, and one of the probes came undone from the flexwatt. This caused it to think the flexwatt was cooler than it was (because the probe was away from the flexwatt) so the Herpstat kept increasing power to try and get the temps up; the temps went up alright, but the Herpstat didn't know because of the probe coming loose.

The temps in the cage got up to 114º!!! The flexwatt was about 125º. I noticed because all of the snakes in that rack were crammed against the front trying to stay cool. Luckily no one was hurt by this incident.

My point is, that while you don't have to worry about temps with a Herpstat or Helix the way you do with a rheostat or cheaper t-stat, you still must ALWAYS be mindful of the temps to prevent something going wrong like with what happened to me.
 
this is very true, thanks for pointin that out blueapplepaste! i have my probe wire rigged up so that it's siliconed right above the heat mat, so it's unlikely for it to come away fromt he heat source unless somehow the probe actually comes unplugged from the herpstat, which is rather unlikely the way i have it set up.

but yes, you definitely need to monitor the temperatures regularily, it's just a LOT easier with a herpstat.
 
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