Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 3 level Freedom Breeder rack system. For those familiar with this system you know that there is a separate plug for each and every level.
I am using the system to hibernate my snakes through the winter so it gives me time to figure out what kind of thermostat I need.
Each level has heat tape and it's own plug.
Money is an issue.
Can someone please help?

Thanks
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1.1 Kenyan Sand Boas (new)
0.1 Rubber Boa
1.0 Eastern Hognose 2003 super red
0.2 Eastern Hognose Snakes
4.4 Western Hognose Snakes
1.1 Womas
Spadefoot
Black Knobbed Sawback
Northern Diamondback
Florida Redbellied Slider
Western Painted
Southern Painted
1.0 African Hedgehog
1.0 Sulcata

1 Pleco
2 Silver Dollars
3 Bosemian Rainbows
1 Cory Cat
1 Upside Down Catfish
2.0 Fire Guramis

uhh... I think that is it.

So much information has been posted on this subject in the last 3 weeks that I suggest you scroll down and look.

For the best control, go proportional. That is what you should use. At about $120 you can't really argue that it is expensive considering the cost of your animals and cages.

For not-as-good control but still good, get one of those cheap ZooMed thermostats (500 watt model) or even better a Ranco for around $60.00 or so.

For the cheapest control, use a lamp dimmer.

Need sources? Try Creative Pet Supply or www.herpsupplies.com.

true proportional may be the way to go

I'm wondering if there is anyone on here with a freedom breeder that knows exactly the way to go. I really want to get it right the first time.
I have scrolled down and seen what was on this forum. Keep in mind FB's have a separate plug per level.

Rudy
-----
1.1 Kenyan Sand Boas (new)
0.1 Rubber Boa
1.0 Eastern Hognose 2003 super red
0.2 Eastern Hognose Snakes
4.4 Western Hognose Snakes
1.1 Womas
Spadefoot
Black Knobbed Sawback
Northern Diamondback
Florida Redbellied Slider
Western Painted
Southern Painted
1.0 African Hedgehog
1.0 Sulcata

1 Pleco
2 Silver Dollars
3 Bosemian Rainbows
1 Cory Cat
1 Upside Down Catfish
2.0 Fire Guramis

uhh... I think that is it.

For heat tape (which is what FB uses) there is no better control than proportional. It doesn't matter if the cages are FBs or whatever. There are other ways to get good results, like using Ranco ON/OFF controllers. Dimmers are OK but you have no visual indication on where the power level is, and there is no compensation for ambient temp changes. There is no right way, just the best way and on down from there. With proportional there is no guesswork.

So you have 3 plugs or whatever. Plug all three into an outlet strip, and the outlet strip into the controller. Provided you do not exceed the wattage rating of the controller. What is the total wattage? Well, add up all the lengths of heat tape and multiply by the following values:

11"-wide Flexwatt: 20 Watts/ft
4"-wide Flexwatt: 8 Watts/ft
3"-wide Flexwatt: 10 Watts/ft (not sure here if 8 or 10, so use 10 to be safe.)

So, if one row is 4ft wide, the wattage for that row with 3"-wide heater is 40 watts. 3 rows at 40 watts is 120 watts. I think any proportional can handle that. Otherwise, get two controllers - one for two rows and one for the last row.

so looks like I need about 150 watts.

What can I do with the surplus wattage? Can I plug in a different rack sytem?
-----
1.1 Kenyan Sand Boas (new)
0.1 Rubber Boa
1.0 Eastern Hognose 2003 super red
0.2 Eastern Hognose Snakes
4.4 Western Hognose Snakes
1.1 Womas
Spadefoot
Black Knobbed Sawback
Northern Diamondback
Florida Redbellied Slider
Western Painted
Southern Painted
1.0 African Hedgehog
1.0 Sulcata

1 Pleco
2 Silver Dollars
3 Bosemian Rainbows
1 Cory Cat
1 Upside Down Catfish
2.0 Fire Guramis

uhh... I think that is it.

> so it looks like I need 150 Watts

Does the above statement mean you calculated 150 Watts of heating? I urge you to measure the heat tape, determine if it is 3" wide or whatever size, then calculate the wattage. Your controller wattage load capacity must be greater than what you calculated. I think most controllers now are at least 300 Watts capable, but check before you buy.

For example, say the controller will handle a 300 Watt load. Say your rack has 150 Watts of heater. You could theorize that you could plug another 150 Watts of heater into it. I wouldn't however. Better to go under the rating than be right at it. You could ask the manufacturer what they recommend. You could plug in another level though (like another 40 watts) with no problem. If your controller is rated 500 Watts and you want to connect two racks totaling 300 Watts, then fine.

One thing about Ranco thermostats, they can handle alot of wattage load, like 1600 Watts or so. In that case, one controller can run a number of 150 Watt racks.

Please follow Wattage ratings carefully. Being oblivious to ratings will surely result in problems (with the best case being failure of the controller and the worst case being a fire.) The safest way is to know the wattage load of your heaters and to never plug too many into a controller such that the wattage rating of the controller is met or surpassed. Then you will have no problems.