Thermostat Recommendations?

[Solarian_13]

I've moved recently and at my previous residence I had no problem keeping my corn's tank from fluctuating in temperature by no more than a few degrees farenheit, but now I've got very little control over the ambient temperature in my apartment and the temperature on the floor of the tank has been fluctuating excessively. I utilize an appropriately-sized UTH on one end of the tank, but at times the temps on the cool end of the tank are dipping down to ~65. So I've got a 50 watt infrared bulb in a clamp lamp and am intending to plug it into a thermostat so that it will switch on over the cool side when it gets too cold and turn off when it reaches the right temperature.

My question: Can I find a thermostat at Home Depot or someplace like that? Or should I order one online that is specifically meant for reptilian enclosures (like the ZooMed brand)? Any recommendations on features to look for, etc? Thanks!

 

[Elzy]

You should be fine in using a Home Depot or Lowes brand dimmer, just make sure you adjust the temps before putting it in your snake's viv. The reptile brand ones and the ones at home improvement stores do essentially the same thing (and I've found anything that's specifically marketed for use with reptiles makes the price go up tenfold!).

I'd also recommend getting a guard for the clamp lamp the bulb is situated in, so you don't risk your little one getting too curious and getting burned

 

[bitsy]

The excessive fluctuations will continue if you use a standard domestic dimmer. You really need a thermostat to deal with the problem, which means buying one made to work with your heat source.

I'd recommend buying a stat for use with the UTH and ditching the infra-red lamp completely. As long as the warm end floor is below the safe maximum (I aim for around 85) then it doesn't matter if the cool end goes lower than the ideal. The snake will choose its preferred heat zone - just make sure you have a good range of hides in there.

 

[Solarian_13]

I've been maintaining a fairly consistant warm end temp of approximately 85 with a layer of newspaper over the uth topped by aspen bedding as a substrate. I had found that aspen alone would not serve as a substrate as it allowed the warm end to get too warm and I was worried that if Toki burrowed down into the aspen and came into contact with the glass he could get burned. But I plan to pick up a thermostat this week if only for peace of mind.

I've already tried a dimmer with the infrared lamp, but I was being cheap when I bought it and I suppose kind of got what I paid for as it ended up being a piece of crap. (It sporadically turns itself off/on/high/low etc.)

Thanks for the suggestions all!

 

[Johan13]

I've been maintaining a fairly consistant warm end temp of approximately 85 with a layer of newspaper over the uth topped by aspen bedding as a substrate. I had found that aspen alone would not serve as a substrate as it allowed the warm end to get too warm and I was worried that if Toki burrowed down into the aspen and came into contact with the glass he could get burned. But I plan to pick up a thermostat this week if only for peace of mind.

I've already tried a dimmer with the infrared lamp, but I was being cheap when I bought it and I suppose kind of got what I paid for as it ended up being a piece of crap. (It sporadically turns itself off/on/high/low etc.)

Thanks for the suggestions all!

Get a thermostat for the UTH. Your corn could dig under the newspaper and get severely burned. Snakes are great diggers and often find a way. My ball python always digs himself under his newspaper bedding . Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[MichBill]

I purchased one of the Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats and am using it with a Zoo Med UTH. It is available through Amazon for $26. It has really worked great for me. I had previously been fussing with achieving the proper temperature using a rheostat and finally gave up and went this route. It applies current until you reach the target temperature that you select and then cuts the current until the temp drops about 3F. The temperature probe is relatively small and I attached it to the bottom of the tank over the UTH with a drop of hot glue and covered it with aspen substrate.

Ive been checking the temp numerous times each day and it has been very steady in the range I want.

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPRTC-Digital-Thermostat-Heat/dp/B000NZZG3S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1305914359&sr=8-2

 

[Evol_girl]

I purchased one of the Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats and am using it with a Zoo Med UTH. It is available through Amazon for $26. It has really worked great for me. I had previously been fussing with achieving the proper temperature using a rheostat and finally gave up and went this route. It applies current until you reach the target temperature that you select and then cuts the current until the temp drops about 3F. The temperature probe is relatively small and I attached it to the bottom of the tank over the UTH with a drop of hot glue and covered it with aspen substrate.

Ive been checking the temp numerous times each day and it has been very steady in the range I want.

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPRTC-Digital-Thermostat-Heat/dp/B000NZZG3S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1305914359&sr=8-2

I have this one too (also purchased through amazon for around $26!). It has never let me down - keeps it within about 2 degrees and its great.

 

[robeyeshua]

afraid of burning

i highly recommend big apple's bah 1000 with their 20 watt intellimat - you should go on their site and watch the demos - it literally is perfect as it will not get hot like the most of the uth's out there particularly - you can plug it directly in the wall socket uncontrolled and it will NOT get above 90 degrees - i have used them for 2 years with corn and boa species - it is an on/off control that will maintain within a 3 degree swing max and is affordable - almost nobody ever talks them but i would not use anything else - i have used $10 lamp dimmers and they are fine as long as you watch closely and the room temps do not swing a lot - check out their website!

 

[Solarian_13]

I purchased one of the Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats and am using it with a Zoo Med UTH. It is available through Amazon for $26. It has really worked great for me. I had previously been fussing with achieving the proper temperature using a rheostat and finally gave up and went this route. It applies current until you reach the target temperature that you select and then cuts the current until the temp drops about 3F. The temperature probe is relatively small and I attached it to the bottom of the tank over the UTH with a drop of hot glue and covered it with aspen substrate.

Ive been checking the temp numerous times each day and it has been very steady in the range I want.

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPRTC-Digital-Thermostat-Heat/dp/B000NZZG3S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1305914359&sr=8-2

I ended up picking up this thermostat at a local hydroponics shop. Haven't got it in place yet as Toki's in blue so I'm leaving him in peace until he sheds. As far as adhering it to the bottom of the tank with hot glue, does this present a problem when it comes time to clean the tank?

 

[Evol_girl]

I ended up picking up this thermostat at a local hydroponics shop. Haven't got it in place yet as Toki's in blue so I'm leaving him in peace until he sheds. As far as adhering it to the bottom of the tank with hot glue, does this present a problem when it comes time to clean the tank?

I don't have mine glued down, I have mine under a rock type decoration and that seems to hold it in place fairly well. It doesn't really seem to move around too much anyway, but I think as long as you have something (a decoration or otherwise) weighing down the end of the thermometer a bit that should suffice.

 

[Solarian_13]

Thanks all!

I ended up picking up this thermostat at a local hydroponics shop. Haven't got it in place yet as Toki's in blue so I'm leaving him in peace until he sheds. As far as adhering it to the bottom of the tank with hot glue, does this present a problem when it comes time to clean the tank?

I've had the thermostat in place for several weeks now and I'm thrilled with it! I no longer have to be constantly worrying about the temperature in the tank. While the cold side drops down pretty low, the thermostat is keeping the temp on the warm side between 83 and 86. Thanks for the help everybody! :crazy02: