Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What's the difference between rheostats and thermostats?
I have a zooMed thermostat and I'm not sure what to do with the probe part. The rather elaborate directions did not mention it.
I was expecting it to allow me to set my UHT to a particular temperature, but it just ranges low-high. What is the best means of actually detecting the temperature? Somebody out here recommended some kind of probe thermometer but the hardware store didn't have one. Can you give me a suggested brand?
geckoGirlsMom

Rheostats set a constant current through the heating device. They are subject to room temperature fluxuations.

Thermostats will attempt to maintain a constant temperature regardless of room variations. These are usually a bit more expensive.

Steven-RGR

I personally LOVE my thermostat. I bought 2 of them from Big Apple Herpetological. They are $100.00 - and a great value. Constant temps in my area - Minnesota - is a great value. it's worth the extra cost.
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Monte Meyer
Powergeckos
Email

Mealworms . . . .you can't eat just one

Personally, I prefer rheostats,
because it is a controlled temperature based on voltage, opposed to a controlled temperature based on a thermometer. A thermometer may be innaccurate once in a while. Plus, rheostats are cheaper.
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My Site

Thermostats allow you to choose a temperature, and it will adjust the temperature the UTH emits accordingly to your desired temperature. Rheostats simply provide a dial for you to turn the UTH on low/medium/high. The actual temperature will vary during weather changes.

I personally like using a rheostat more, because the extra maintenance keeps me on guard. I think people put too much reliance on thermostats, and I've heard stories from at least three people whose thermostats either malfunctioned or would not operate correctly.

As for measuring the temperature, get one of those baking oven thermometers from the kitchenware section of the Wal-Mart. I got a digital one that's moisture proof and about the size of a pen for $18. I just touch it to the bottom of the tank and get an instant reading.

How is your leo doing? It seems like you're learning pretty fast.
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Lovin' would be easy if your colors were like my dreams...

I purchased a light dimmer from Lowes and an indoor/outdoor thermometer with a probe from Walmart. I can adjust the UTH and monitor the temps with only about 5 degrees of fluctuation. Total cost, $20.00. HTH

I use both rheostats and thermostats. My experience is that rheostats work just fine, unless you have temperature fluctuations in your herp room. For instance, if you have significant overnight temp drops in your room, a rheostat will not work well because it controls current, not temperature. I only use rheostats for daytime temp control (lights and/or CHE), because my night temps can drop considerably. It is true that rheostats require more vigilance, but I check my thermostats several times a day, so that's somewhat a moot point for me. If you have fairly constant temps, go for a rheostat, because they're much cheaper. Oh, and get an indoor/outdoor digital thermometer with probe, and you can check your warm/cool temps with one device. About $10 at Wal-Mart or Target.

HTH,
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Jeannie

0.0.1 California King Snake (Rex)
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa (Lucas)
0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa (Bella)
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake (Bess)
1.1 Rubber Boas (Isaiah & Esther)
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise (Moxie)
2.0 DSH Cats (Amos & Silas)
1.0 English Springer Spaniel (Jimmy)
and...
2.0 Kids
1.0 Husband