Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What kind of thermostat do you guys use and recommend? I'm getting some new cages and need to buy a thermostat. Thanks!

I like my helix thermostats if you want a proportional one. They work well and only have one button so its user friendly. I just got a ranco and it seems to work great for what i'm using it for(not much fluctuation for being analog) but it does make a click every couple of minutes and might bother you if you sleep close to your snakes like i do. Also, if you are using heat lights, your bulbs will last longer on a proportional thermostat. I have heard that proportional thermostats use way more electricity than analog so i would love to hear if there is any truth behind that

I use four different types of Thermostats in my collection and they all have things about them I like and dislike.

Herp Power from Big Apple is the most accurate thermostat as far keep temps within a range with minimal flux the downsider to the Herp Power is that it is only rated for 300W so it if you have a four foor cage with two feet of 11 inch heat tape at 20watts per foot that gives you 400w for ten cages so it won't power two stacks of cages at the same time. I use these for a couple of individual stacks of five that I keep my breeder females in. the rotary style dial also makes it easier to qucker to adjust temps when breeding season comes along if you like to do it by hand like I do. Does come with a night drop cord that plugs into an appliannce timer!

The Herp Stat from Spyder robotics not sure of the wattage, but I am pretty sure they are rated for 500W! Easy to use thermostat very accurate, but not as accurate as the Herp HerpPower! Love the power matching feature. Night drop cord is available, but not sure if they come with it. Another plus is the probe is easily replaced in case of damage! A plus when your 3 Year old gets A little too happy with the scissors while visitng Daddy in the Snakeroom! I use the Herpstats on my 4' cages that house my males. one Herp Stat is good for about ten cages*(two stacks of five)

The DBS-1000 By Helix! Rated for 1000w I believe without a doubt the workhorse of the group! The Helix DBS-1000 has been around forever. On the same level of acurracy as the Herp Stat. Also the easiest to use only one button so they are for the most part idiot proof.(notice I said "for the most part" the human race never ceases to amaze me!). I use the DBS-1000 to heat cages that will not be cycled,babies-yearlings and so on!Also has neat accessories like the night drop photoeye. Once again I cycle my cages manually so I haven't used the photo eye so I am not familar with how well it works, but have fellow keepers that use them and love them.

I also use the BAH-1000 thermostats from Big Apple on a couple of sets of grow out racks and have to say that for $35 they are pretty accurate and are great to have on hand incase of another thrmostats failure!

These are all just my opinions on these products from what I have seen from actual usage! I think they are all great products!

Al Brown/Brown's Boas

Okay, well I'm getting a stack of four cages for my breeders (they're still growing right now), so would the helix probably work best for me? I'm looking for something on the cheaper side but that is accurate, reliable, and will last a while. Thanks

Herpstat Pro !
One unit can run 4 cages independently/simultaneously
Check into them,I believe Bean Farm currently has the best price.

i use Ranco's, and love them.
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www.bryansboas.com

I have a lot of thermostats and like two for different reasons.

My favorite is the herpstat pro, four seperate channels, it's like four thermostats in one housing, each with it's own programable night drop. Only thing not seperate is the clock, all four have to be on the same night drop timing but no big deal to me.

Second in line is the Helix DBS1000, great stat for a stack or rack you want to heat it 24/7 since it does not come with night drop built in. Yeah you can get the feature but is not cheap.
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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