Reptile & Amphibian Forums

thermostats.... ive been trying to do a little research and actually just ordered a ReptiTemp 500R, just to try it out and get a feel for them, not sure if i should have or not but it looked like a good price so i figured it was worth checking out.

ive never used one before but would like to with the cages i plan on building. so anyone care to share thoughts on diff brands good ones bad ones and such, who uses what....

also anyone know the diff between a thermostat and a rheostat?
-----
-Stephen-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
0.1 col redtail boa (Dixie-my baby girl)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--brazillian rainbow boas 1 female for sure
2 or 3? maybe a breeding pair?
-- bearded dragon for the wifey my list got to big...

more distant future hopefuls
1 or 2 of each maybe a breeding pair?
--anery boa (ooooh)
--jungle carpet python (love to have 1 or 2)
--dumeril boa (ahhhh)

slightly more wishful thinking
--hypo br rainbow boa (love em)
--anery br rainbow boa (oooh even better!!)
--motely boa (gorgeous!!)

A thermostat adjusts the power output to the heat source to maintain a constant temperature. (Whatever temp you set it at.)

A rheostat adjusts the power output, but at a constant rate. If the room temperature changes, you would have to adjust the rheostat to compensate.

I use mainly Helix Thermostats, but I do have one Repti-temp 500R on my juvinille rack. It is an on/off type, but it has worked great for me so far. I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't have the bucks to put toward a Helix or Herpstat.
-----
Aubrey Ross

©
www.SlipstreamSerpents.com

ohh okay so a thermostat controls the temps automatically by either shutting off the power to the heat source, or restricting the power to the heat source....

and a rheostat restricts the power to the heat source but its only done manually? is that correct....

lol well if thats the case i would have been better off going to home depot and getting a $2 dimmer switch seemingly the same thing

and yeah helix and herpstat seem to be the most popular... unless i can rig one up to control 5 or 6 cages i would need 5 or 6 of them...sighs.... ill have to get myself a lotto ticket lol
-----
-Stephen-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
0.1 col redtail boa (Dixie-my baby girl)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--brazillian rainbow boas 1 female for sure
2 or 3? maybe a breeding pair?
-- bearded dragon for the wifey my list got to big...

more distant future hopefuls
1 or 2 of each maybe a breeding pair?
--anery boa (ooooh)
--jungle carpet python (love to have 1 or 2)
--dumeril boa (ahhhh)

slightly more wishful thinking
--hypo br rainbow boa (love em)
--anery br rainbow boa (oooh even better!!)
--motely boa (gorgeous!!)

Yes, $2 dimmer switch is a effective rheostat.

If you have multiple cages to control at different settings or non identical setups, I much prefer the Herpstat Pro, comes with four seperate channels each with a long probe. All the features built right in like adjustable night drop. One herpstat por runs $330ish, the same price give or take as two helix with additional night drop cords and timers.

I have four of the Herpstat Pro's and about a dozen Helix. All work just fine. Each with it's advantages...

Herpstat PRO:
- Four channel fully programable
- Long probes 10-12 feet
- built in night drop

Helix DBS 1000
- preferred for single application where night drop is not desired like hatchling racks.

Both are proportional so gentle heat, not on/off. Both are solid state and programed to shot off in the event of error so no wide open failures causing overheat to your cage/rack (no fried snakes).
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

man that herpstat pro sounds nice but over $300 eesh... im kinda rubbing wooden nickles together here so maybe a hand full of those $2 dimmer switches is the way to go lol just have to keep constant watch over it all....

heres is another question i have a digital thermometer with a two or 3 foot probe, and i like it it keep track of current high and low.... does anybody know if there are any made like this that have 2 probes?? that i can keep track of the warm and cool side of the cage....

i dont want to have to get 2 thermometers for each cage, if i have 6 cages thats 12 meters and even on sale $10 a piece adds up quick
-----
-Stephen-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
0.1 col redtail boa (Dixie-my baby girl)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--brazillian rainbow boas 1 female for sure
2 or 3? maybe a breeding pair?
-- bearded dragon for the wifey my list got to big...

more distant future hopefuls
1 or 2 of each maybe a breeding pair?
--anery boa (ooooh)
--jungle carpet python (love to have 1 or 2)
--dumeril boa (ahhhh)

slightly more wishful thinking
--hypo br rainbow boa (love em)
--anery br rainbow boa (oooh even better!!)
--motely boa (gorgeous!!)

Stephen,
...The companies that make those thermometers with the extended cords do make models that have multiple cords and display several different temps. The multi probe models are expensive though. IMO the non-contact infrared thermometers are the way to go. I paid hundreds of dollars for my Raytek several years ago when they were expensive because the technlogy was relatively new. The ones that a few forum vendors sell for $20 to $40 today are as good (probably better) as my old Raytek. I recently found some IR non-contact therms made by Cen-Tech on sale at the harbor freight store for $6 each. I have been playing with them and in spite of their advertised stats which say they are less accurate than the Raytek they read pretty close to it nearly every time I try them. Non-contact IR thermometers are invaluable tools for serious snake keepers. With a stick on thermometer or remote temperature probe you only get the temperature at one small point in the cage. With a non-contact IR thermometer you can shoot the snakes and the different areas in the cage and get a better understanding of the microclimates inside the cage and how the snakes are reacting to them.
Jeff

>>man that herpstat pro sounds nice but over $300 eesh... im kinda rubbing wooden nickles together here so maybe a hand full of those $2 dimmer switches is the way to go lol just have to keep constant watch over it all....
>>
>>heres is another question i have a digital thermometer with a two or 3 foot probe, and i like it it keep track of current high and low.... does anybody know if there are any made like this that have 2 probes?? that i can keep track of the warm and cool side of the cage....
>>
>>i dont want to have to get 2 thermometers for each cage, if i have 6 cages thats 12 meters and even on sale $10 a piece adds up quick
>>-----
>>-Stephen-
>>
>>0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
>>1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
>>1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
>>0.1 col redtail boa (Dixie-my baby girl)
>>0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
>>
>>hopeful for not to distant future:
>>--brazillian rainbow boas 1 female for sure
>> 2 or 3? maybe a breeding pair?
>>-- bearded dragon for the wifey my list got to big...
>>
>>more distant future hopefuls
>>1 or 2 of each maybe a breeding pair?
>>--anery boa (ooooh)
>>--jungle carpet python (love to have 1 or 2)
>>--dumeril boa (ahhhh)
>>
>>slightly more wishful thinking
>>--hypo br rainbow boa (love em)
>>--anery br rainbow boa (oooh even better!!)
>>--motely boa (gorgeous!!)

I have a Ranco ETC. It's a bit cheaper than the Helix, doesn't do night drop, but I don't think the helix does either. It runs about $70. Good Luck!

hey that doesnt sound too bad where did you get that one?
-----
-Stephen-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
0.1 col redtail boa (Dixie-my baby girl)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--brazillian rainbow boas 1 female for sure
2 or 3? maybe a breeding pair?
-- bearded dragon for the wifey my list got to big...

more distant future hopefuls
1 or 2 of each maybe a breeding pair?
--anery boa (ooooh)
--jungle carpet python (love to have 1 or 2)
--dumeril boa (ahhhh)

slightly more wishful thinking
--hypo br rainbow boa (love em)
--anery br rainbow boa (oooh even better!!)
--motely boa (gorgeous!!)

Repti-Racks.

>>thermostats.... ive been trying to do a little research and actually just ordered a ReptiTemp 500R, just to try it out and get a feel for them, not sure if i should have or not but it looked like a good price so i figured it was worth checking out.
>>
>>ive never used one before but would like to with the cages i plan on building. so anyone care to share thoughts on diff brands good ones bad ones and such, who uses what....
>>
>>also anyone know the diff between a thermostat and a rheostat?
>>-----
>>-Stephen-
>>
>>0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
>>1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
>>1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
>>0.1 col redtail boa (Dixie-my baby girl)
>>0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
>>
>>hopeful for not to distant future:
>>--brazillian rainbow boas 1 female for sure
>> 2 or 3? maybe a breeding pair?
>>-- bearded dragon for the wifey my list got to big...
>>
>>more distant future hopefuls
>>1 or 2 of each maybe a breeding pair?
>>--anery boa (ooooh)
>>--jungle carpet python (love to have 1 or 2)
>>--dumeril boa (ahhhh)
>>
>>slightly more wishful thinking
>>--hypo br rainbow boa (love em)
>>--anery br rainbow boa (oooh even better!!)
>>--motely boa (gorgeous!!)
-----
=========================================================
Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
=========================================================
Thanks,

I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.

The very best way to control the temperature in a cage is to use a proportional thermostat like the Herpstat Pro or the Helix or the Big Apple Proportional. Dave likes to use multiple Helixes or the better Herpstat for multiple cages but I use a single Helix 1000 with extra large fuse in it to control heaters for 12 cages. On the other side of the room I have several cages controlled by a single Big Apple Proportional and several others controlled by another Helix.

Next best method is a non proportional thermostat used in series with a rheostat. Even when using a proportional thermostat using it in series with a rheostat can lessen the fire hazard. With them in series if one fails the other can keep it from overpowering a heater.

Third best is just a rheostat IF, and it is a big IF, you are using it in a room that does not vary too much in temperature and you check cage temps and adjust often.

Fourth best is a non proportional thermostat only. These things are either all on or all off. If your heater is too powerful you will cook things in the cage when the heat is on and the cage will be cold when it is off.

Just my opinions,
Jeff

thanks for all that, thats helpful from both posts... so i just got back from harbor freight picked up one of those cen-tech and ready to put it to use...

i think (right now at least) im leaning toward using 4" heat tape and wiring it up myself to regular electrical dimmer switches... this is a pretty good set up because it give me the control i need plus it will be inexpensive

only thing with that is i have to be around to adjust it constantly, and it warm up quite a bit summer days here while im at work im a little worried about it getting two warm.

i also i got myself one of those cheap $20 on/off thermostats which i am regretting already it just seems useless. but after rereading your last post for the third time i think i understand what you mean now when you saw use a thermostat with a rheostat.

i can do what i planed on doing with the heat tape and dimmer and if i add one of these cheap thermostats into the loop. so now i can control everything with the dimmer, and if im not home one bright sunny afternoon and temps start to climb thats when the thermostat will kick in and shut everything down....

sorry i kinda rambled there for a minute just thinking out loud. but i think i got it and i think thats what im going to do now for sure it makes sense thanks!!
-----
-Stephen-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
0.1 col redtail boa (Dixie-my baby girl)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--brazillian rainbow boas 1 female for sure
2 or 3? maybe a breeding pair?
-- bearded dragon for the wifey my list got to big...

more distant future hopefuls
1 or 2 of each maybe a breeding pair?
--anery boa (ooooh)
--jungle carpet python (love to have 1 or 2)
--dumeril boa (ahhhh)

slightly more wishful thinking
--hypo br rainbow boa (love em)
--anery br rainbow boa (oooh even better!!)
--motely boa (gorgeous!!)

Stephen,
....If you have the rheostat in series after the thermostat it will work fine. The rheostat set fairly low will keep the full on power from the thermostat from applying too much power to the heat tape and if you get a hot day the thermostat will shut it all down.
Jeff

>>thanks for all that, thats helpful from both posts... so i just got back from harbor freight picked up one of those cen-tech and ready to put it to use...
>>
>>i think (right now at least) im leaning toward using 4" heat tape and wiring it up myself to regular electrical dimmer switches... this is a pretty good set up because it give me the control i need plus it will be inexpensive
>>
>>only thing with that is i have to be around to adjust it constantly, and it warm up quite a bit summer days here while im at work im a little worried about it getting two warm.
>>
>>i also i got myself one of those cheap $20 on/off thermostats which i am regretting already it just seems useless. but after rereading your last post for the third time i think i understand what you mean now when you saw use a thermostat with a rheostat.
>>
>>i can do what i planed on doing with the heat tape and dimmer and if i add one of these cheap thermostats into the loop. so now i can control everything with the dimmer, and if im not home one bright sunny afternoon and temps start to climb thats when the thermostat will kick in and shut everything down....
>>
>>sorry i kinda rambled there for a minute just thinking out loud. but i think i got it and i think thats what im going to do now for sure it makes sense thanks!!
>>-----
>>-Stephen-
>>
>>0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
>>1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
>>1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
>>0.1 col redtail boa (Dixie-my baby girl)
>>0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
>>
>>hopeful for not to distant future:
>>--brazillian rainbow boas 1 female for sure
>> 2 or 3? maybe a breeding pair?
>>-- bearded dragon for the wifey my list got to big...
>>
>>more distant future hopefuls
>>1 or 2 of each maybe a breeding pair?
>>--anery boa (ooooh)
>>--jungle carpet python (love to have 1 or 2)
>>--dumeril boa (ahhhh)
>>
>>slightly more wishful thinking
>>--hypo br rainbow boa (love em)
>>--anery br rainbow boa (oooh even better!!)
>>--motely boa (gorgeous!!)

And with the rheostat set low, it's kind of a failsafe on the thermostat, if the thermostat does stick in the on position, the dimmer will keep the temps from going way high, hopefully enough to keep your snake safe.
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

so now i have price out some inexpensive thermostats, then head out to Lowes and pick up a few dimmer switches and wire and boxes and whatever else i need to wire it all together.

then my cages are going to be 4'W x 2'D x 14?"T out of 3/4" melamine with a 1/4" melamine floor

im thinking about using 4" flexwatt, and running three 16" lengths this will cover about 1/3 of the whole floor...

now for those of you with experience, does anyone think that amount of flexwatt will be enough to heat a melamine 4'x2'x14" cage? or might another source be needed?
-----
-Stephen-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
0.1 col redtail boa (Dixie-my baby girl)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--brazillian rainbow boas 1 female for sure
2 or 3? maybe a breeding pair?
-- bearded dragon for the wifey my list got to big...

more distant future hopefuls
1 or 2 of each maybe a breeding pair?
--anery boa (ooooh)
--jungle carpet python (love to have 1 or 2)
--dumeril boa (ahhhh)

slightly more wishful thinking
--hypo br rainbow boa (love em)
--anery br rainbow boa (oooh even better!!)
--motely boa (gorgeous!!)

Stephen,
...That should be enough and possibly too much flexwatt to heat that cage as long as your room temperature is above 60.
Jeff

>>so now i have price out some inexpensive thermostats, then head out to Lowes and pick up a few dimmer switches and wire and boxes and whatever else i need to wire it all together.
>>
>>then my cages are going to be 4'W x 2'D x 14?"T out of 3/4" melamine with a 1/4" melamine floor
>>
>>im thinking about using 4" flexwatt, and running three 16" lengths this will cover about 1/3 of the whole floor...
>>
>>now for those of you with experience, does anyone think that amount of flexwatt will be enough to heat a melamine 4'x2'x14" cage? or might another source be needed?
>>-----
>>-Stephen-
>>
>>0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
>>1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
>>1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
>>0.1 col redtail boa (Dixie-my baby girl)
>>0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
>>
>>hopeful for not to distant future:
>>--brazillian rainbow boas 1 female for sure
>> 2 or 3? maybe a breeding pair?
>>-- bearded dragon for the wifey my list got to big...
>>
>>more distant future hopefuls
>>1 or 2 of each maybe a breeding pair?
>>--anery boa (ooooh)
>>--jungle carpet python (love to have 1 or 2)
>>--dumeril boa (ahhhh)
>>
>>slightly more wishful thinking
>>--hypo br rainbow boa (love em)
>>--anery br rainbow boa (oooh even better!!)
>>--motely boa (gorgeous!!)