Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have gotten several suggestions on rheostats and thermostats to use with my under tank heating pad for my corn snake. I would like to know the difference, pros and cons, what different people use, recommend, and where to buy it. I saw some that you had to like open up and rewire, that is NOT for me. I live in an apartment, I don't need the stress of worrying that I will burn down the building, I need something widely used and available, reliable and relatively inexpensive.

Thermostats are definitely more convenient. I have rheostats though. i buy them at lowes. they are foot dimmers for lamps. i connect one to a power strip and plug the heat mats into the power strips. Its pretty cheap. i can turn the heat up or down whenever i want. I use a temp gun to check temps. It has worked for me for years. i would also like to hear the pro's and con's as i am considering switching to a high end thermostat just because i have more money now than i did when the rheostats worked fine. I am a man but when it comes to DOY my wrists get limp and i will throw money at anyone that is handy. My projects always fail miserably. lol

Here's an affordable effective proportional thermostat you may want to consider.

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPRTC-Digital-Thermostat-Heat/dp/B000NZZG3S/ref=pd_cp_e_0

Well the UTH with the thermostat seems like a very good set up. Although it may add up buying two pieces of equipment. I'm sure they sell UTH with adjustable switch, don't they? Then you would still need a decent thermometer regardless which route you went. If you were gonna set up several cages than heat tape would be the way to go. You can go on youtube and search for how to install heat tape and you will see many videos that show you step by step and it really isn't difficult. But for one cage even Kevins suggestion of the heat pad would work. Just don't forget the thermometer with a probe. 15 bucks at Radio Shack.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
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