so i just read on another thread that without a thermostat can heat up to over 100 degrees.. i do not have a thermostat.. im looking to order one but dont have one yet.. and i leave my heat pad on all day.. is this a bad idea.. should i turn it on and off throughout the day?? if so please let me know so i can order my thermostat right now
-
Hello!
Either you have not registered on this site yet, or you are registered but have not logged in. In either case, you will not be able to use the full functionality of this site until you have registered, and then logged in after your registration has been approved.
Registration is FREE, so please register so you can participate instead of remaining a lurker....
Please be certain that the location field is correctly filled out when you register. All registrations that appear to be bogus will be rejected. Which means that if your location field does NOT match the actual location of your registration IP address, then your registration will be rejected.
Sorry about the strictness of this requirement, but it is necessary to block spammers and scammers at the door as much as possible.
no thermostat
- Thread starter newtocorn
- Start date
newtocorn
I assume you have a digital thermometer with a probe placed against the bottom of your tank (viv) on the middle of the heat mat?? If not get one ASAP!!! Now thermostats are good but $$$, do a search on rheostats and read the post on how to build one, it is a great how to, step by step with pictures!! It is basically a dimmer switch that you can adjust heat levels just like you can adjust light levels using a dimmer. I have heard there are ones already made to use with lamps that you just plug your heater into and then plug lamp dimmer in wall.
Not sure what the cost of building a rheostat would be were you are but they cost about $10 US to build here so can't be that much were you live.
One thing I really like is the fact that dimmers seem to last a really long time, had one wired in to control over head lighting for over 20 years and I moved and have no idea how long it worked after that?? Probable still going strong!
Either way thermometer or rheostat you need some way to control heat and you need to check it regularly!
I wish I could find something that would monitor heat levels and and let me know (alarm, flashing light..) when they go above or below preset mins. and max. settings
I assume you have a digital thermometer with a probe placed against the bottom of your tank (viv) on the middle of the heat mat?? If not get one ASAP!!! Now thermostats are good but $$$, do a search on rheostats and read the post on how to build one, it is a great how to, step by step with pictures!! It is basically a dimmer switch that you can adjust heat levels just like you can adjust light levels using a dimmer. I have heard there are ones already made to use with lamps that you just plug your heater into and then plug lamp dimmer in wall.
Not sure what the cost of building a rheostat would be were you are but they cost about $10 US to build here so can't be that much were you live.
One thing I really like is the fact that dimmers seem to last a really long time, had one wired in to control over head lighting for over 20 years and I moved and have no idea how long it worked after that?? Probable still going strong!
Either way thermometer or rheostat you need some way to control heat and you need to check it regularly!
I wish I could find something that would monitor heat levels and and let me know (alarm, flashing light..) when they go above or below preset mins. and max. settings
newtocorn
If you do have a thermometer and can measure temps. you can just use paper towel or newspaper between heater and tank to adjust temps. Just monitor for a bit to make sure it stays close to 85 degrees. Personally I would go a little cooler then warmer if I had to as a snake in the wild would find a cool spot on a hot day but may be forced to endure a little cold on a frosty night in some states where they live.
If you do have a thermometer and can measure temps. you can just use paper towel or newspaper between heater and tank to adjust temps. Just monitor for a bit to make sure it stays close to 85 degrees. Personally I would go a little cooler then warmer if I had to as a snake in the wild would find a cool spot on a hot day but may be forced to endure a little cold on a frosty night in some states where they live.
no no themomiter either.....
... im going to get one from petsmart tomorow.. but the aspen is not too hot.. i put my hand under there and its really hot... i riped up one of my shirts and placed it at the bottom of the tank.. then put some aspen them shirt again then more aspen.. hope this takes some heat off of it.. and for after i get a themostat, am i supposed to stick the heat pad directly to the glass??? thanks ill read up on the dimmer rig
... im going to get one from petsmart tomorow.. but the aspen is not too hot.. i put my hand under there and its really hot... i riped up one of my shirts and placed it at the bottom of the tank.. then put some aspen them shirt again then more aspen.. hope this takes some heat off of it.. and for after i get a themostat, am i supposed to stick the heat pad directly to the glass??? thanks ill read up on the dimmer rigI don't stick pads as I have heard they are hard to remove if you need to change it if it wears out??
I would put shirt, paper towel, news paper between mat and tank as snake will probable burrow (dig) under shirt and aspen to lay on the warm, or possible hot in your case glass.
If money is at all an issue get the digital thermometer first and use paper towel newspaper to adjust temps for now. Also if you have legs on your tank then you can slide part of heat mat out from under the tank. It's not a bad idea to have legs or some thing to raise tank up to provide air movement and so as not to pinch connections of heat mat.
I would put shirt, paper towel, news paper between mat and tank as snake will probable burrow (dig) under shirt and aspen to lay on the warm, or possible hot in your case glass.
If money is at all an issue get the digital thermometer first and use paper towel newspaper to adjust temps for now. Also if you have legs on your tank then you can slide part of heat mat out from under the tank. It's not a bad idea to have legs or some thing to raise tank up to provide air movement and so as not to pinch connections of heat mat.
well i stupidly stuck my pad on there before reading about it... and yes money is somewhat of an issues but 10 dollars for a thermometeer and 10 or 15 more for a light dimmer i can deff do tomoro and i will.. i will also try to get the pad off and place a towel or something between the mat.. i also just taped the first layer of to the tank so the snake cant get under it.. hope it does burn itself by tomoro..
oh and yes the tank has legs.. well very littl ones. the heat mat came with little ribber legs to provide air flow.. thanks so much for your help.. i wasnt going to get any sleep wothout knowing what to do.. and im posting some pics of my viv in a few min so if u could check that out and tell me what u think i would apreciate it..
oh and yes the tank has legs.. well very littl ones. the heat mat came with little ribber legs to provide air flow.. thanks so much for your help.. i wasnt going to get any sleep wothout knowing what to do.. and im posting some pics of my viv in a few min so if u could check that out and tell me what u think i would apreciate it..
Hey
If mats already stuck on leave it alone!!!!
Tape shirt pieces or what ever down and all will be good!
For sure get a digital thermometer, and check out rheostat how to tonight to see if you can build one, if not look for the already built lamp dimmers, lastly with $$ involved get a thermostat but they are pricey
If mats already stuck on leave it alone!!!!
Tape shirt pieces or what ever down and all will be good!
For sure get a digital thermometer, and check out rheostat how to tonight to see if you can build one, if not look for the already built lamp dimmers, lastly with $$ involved get a thermostat but they are pricey
i researched the rheosta and looks easy.. im good at bulding thinks from sratch.. most the things i have except the dimmer.. i have the box, and extension cord.. if i make this rheostat i wont need a thermostat correct?
and y do you say leave the heating pad.. will it mess up if i take it off?
and y do you say leave the heating pad.. will it mess up if i take it off?
Nanci
Alien Lover
You can't adjust the temps with newspaper or pieces of shirts taped over the UTH. The snake can get under that. Tape always gets on the snake. You can use a piece of heavy floor tile. I've personally seen those heaters get to 120F. If it's 75 or so in your home, you'd be better off going without a heater until you get it straightened out, as long as you haven't fed the snake.
Shorty6
New member
Building a rheostat was super easy and cheap. I have two of them currently. The only thing is, unlike a thermostat you are going to have to adjust the rheostat if the temp of the room changes. It's no big deal to me, my dorm room is always at a cozy 72F.
No, if you use the rheostat you don't need the thermostat. I was about to spend $50 for a thermostat then found how to biuld one on this website.
I would also suggest getting a digital thermometer. I just had one of those POS sticky ones and it was a good 10 degrees off. I have an Acu-rite digital one that shows inside temp, outside temp, and humidity, and a smaller one from PetCo.
No, if you use the rheostat you don't need the thermostat. I was about to spend $50 for a thermostat then found how to biuld one on this website.
I would also suggest getting a digital thermometer. I just had one of those POS sticky ones and it was a good 10 degrees off. I have an Acu-rite digital one that shows inside temp, outside temp, and humidity, and a smaller one from PetCo.
ok well i took off the tape and the shirts today and i also disconected the heating pad...my house temp is set to stay at around 72F. i will also be getting a digital thermometer today.. do they sell them at petsmart petco?? and i will also make the rheostat today so my snake doesnt get too cold
Shorty6
New member
http://www.petco.com/product/100375/ESU-Reptile-Digital-Thermometer.aspx
That's the thermometer I got at PetCo, works great.
That's the thermometer I got at PetCo, works great.
just make sure to get a thermometer with a wired probe. Petsmart should have one for about $10, and another one for $30. No idea why that one model costs so much as its the same thing.
You can build the rheostat or buy a "lamp dimmer" from Walmart pre-made for $9.
Oh and if or when you do want a thermostat, reptilesupply.com currently has the ZooMed 500R thermostat for $20.99 plus shipping.
You can build the rheostat or buy a "lamp dimmer" from Walmart pre-made for $9.
Oh and if or when you do want a thermostat, reptilesupply.com currently has the ZooMed 500R thermostat for $20.99 plus shipping.