Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering if anyone has used or is using the Zoo Med 150 Watt Rheostat, the 500 watt version or their 500 watt thermostat. I'm going to be using it for 39ft Zoo Med heat cord. I know I should get a ranco or johnson but I'm just starting out and I want to be able to save a bit of money. Thanks a bunch in advance.

Well I have the 150 watt rheostat that I use for the heat pad of my Colombian Rainbow Boa. Unlike a thermostat, it doesnt make sure the pad stays at a specific temp, so you're going to have to adjust it to keep the temps right. Thermostats, on the other hand, make sure that the heating device stays at a certain temperature.

By the way, the rheostat has been working fine for my boa. I have a Cal King, but I never had the heating under any control and she's been fine for 3 or 4 years now.

I haven't been in this forum often lately. What kind of kings do you have?
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Scott

Reptiles
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0.0.1 Colombian Rainbow Boa (Rocky)
1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon* (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Other
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1.0 Betta Fish (Tyrone)

These are my babies, the are Brooksi kings.

Very nice babies you got there. Simply a heat pad tucked under one end of each cage should be sufficient for them. The Zoomed rheostats work fine(like I said I have the 150 watt one), but you'll have to fiddle around with it a little to get your desired temperature, and you'll have to adjust it at different times of the year to keep it constant. All I can say about thermostats is that they will keep your heat sources at the desired temp at all times and you won't have to worry about adjusting it at different times of the year.

Just for the record I've kept my Cal King successfully for over 3 years(and still going) with a heat pad and no rheostat or thermostat. I mention this because care is the same for all subspecies of Lampropeltis getula. Just keep in mind you might have to keep the enclosure slightly more humid than most other kings because of you snakes' Florida origin.
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Scott

Reptiles
--------
0.0.1 Colombian Rainbow Boa (Rocky)
1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon* (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Other
-----
1.0 Betta Fish (Tyrone)

> Just for the record I've kept my Cal King successfully for over 3
> years(and still going) with a heat pad and no rheostat or
> thermostat.

Whether or not you can do that depends upon ambient temperature, size of enclosure, and the heat pad being used.

I personally MUST use a thermostat. The reason - I don't have an air conditioner, so the temperature of my house in summer fluctuates quite a bit. A rheostat would need constant adjustment. A thermostat adjusts itself. Not using one - well, to be honest, what I did before I bought thermostats - I just unplugged any additional heat in the summer, and the kings did fine (I only had 3 at the time though).
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3.3.4 L. getula californiae
1.1 L. getula nigrita
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
2.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

I completely forgot about that. In fact, I don't think I ever even thought about it! Back to basics for me lol.
-----
Scott

Reptiles
--------
0.0.1 Colombian Rainbow Boa (Rocky)
1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon* (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Other
-----
1.0 Betta Fish (Tyrone)

Well they are in a 29 gallon tank together, in separate 6qt tubs with the lids velcroed on. I need a thermostat cause I made a rack system. (its out of aluminum shelfing and is 8 high and open sided.) I'm also going to get a temp gun so this will make the temp selection easier. I talked to Tom Stevens who said that the Zoo Med heat cord/wire ran very hot so this is why I need the thermostat. My overall plan is breeding so I figured I should get my rack built.

Smart idea. Good luck with your snakes!
-----
Scott

Reptiles
--------
0.0.1 Colombian Rainbow Boa (Rocky)
1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon* (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Other
-----
1.0 Betta Fish (Tyrone)

Never used the rheostat.
The thermostat sucks. It really does. Your warm side temperature will very quite a bit.

At LLLreptile and BAH they have a much better inexpensive thermostate.

LLL markets it as Alife 1000
BAH markets it as BAH-1000

I believe they are the identical thermostat however. They will keep the warm side temp much more consistent.

As far as a rheostat goes - I don't know, but I'm guessing a quality incadescent dimmer mounted in a junction box will be cheaper and possibly better. Though you will have to mount the junction box somewhere (and code probably says it has to be metal if not behind wall board) and wire it yourself.
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3.3.4 L. getula californiae
1.1 L. getula nigrita
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
2.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

Your warm side temperature will very quite a bit.

should have been

Your warm side temperature will vary quite a bit.
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3.3.4 L. getula californiae
1.1 L. getula nigrita
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
2.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

I don't know why I can't think of simple ways to put things. Yes Funky, a rheostat IS basically like a dimmer.
-----
Scott

Reptiles
--------
0.0.1 Colombian Rainbow Boa (Rocky)
1.0 Ball Python (Sultan)
0.1 California Kingsnake (Leota)
1.0 Eastern Painted Turtle (Yugi)
0.1 Red/Gold Bearded Dragon* (Irwin, R.I.P.)

Other
-----
1.0 Betta Fish (Tyrone)

I have had 3 of the BAH1000's for 8 months and have had no problems. I believe they only cost about $30 each. I run the 23 ft zoomed heatcable on one of them and it works fine. Just go to Big Apple's web site to order.