Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all,

I have always used dome lights for heating without a problem, but recently decided to make the change to UTH's. I bought a few for my BP's to "test the water". YIKES! My meter hit 110 !!! I know many of you uses dimmers, so here are my questions regarding heating:

1) When purchasing a dimmer do you simply get one from a home improvement store or a pet store?

2) Will I have to split the wire or does the pad plug into the dimmer?

3) Any suggestions on brands?

4) Any additional info is appreciated!

I live in South Louisiana and truthfully my snakes only need a hot spot for regulating temps. I can provide no heat and they would be comfortable with the ambient temperature of my home most of the year. LOTS of humidity here as well, but I always provide my snakes with a spot to bask. This is why I decided to post these questions. Hmmm... Wait til I attempt building a rack, hahaha.

TIA, and happy herpin'!

Todd
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1.1 Balls - Male het/albino, Female 66% het/albino
***Fingers crossed for next season!!!***

Where in South LA are you? I am in New Orleans.

I have had success with a varaible/slide switch from the hardware store where you split the UTH wire and add it into the system. You can adjust the UTH during the winter and summer, so it works great! And it is cheap to - mine was from Home Depot and under $3.

It isn't a digital guide, but if you can measure temps in the herparium accurately, you can turn up or down the electricity flow as needed.

Good luck.
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-Iman
1.1 Sugar Gliders (Gizmo and Nema)
2.0 Ball Pythons (Spot and Speck)
0.1 Colombian BCI (Belle)
1.0 Colombian Rainbow (Rex)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow (Just arrived!!!)

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Imans House of Herps

LOL!!!

I was born and raised in Nawlins', but currently reside in Baton Rouge. I grew up on the East side. Actually, we lived on the street where the entrance to the Louisiana Nature Center is located.

Thanks for the tip and I think I can swing $3.00, heheh.

By the way, congrats with the new arrival! *Beautiful snakes*

Todd
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1.1 Balls - Male het/albino, Female 66% het/albino
***Fingers crossed for next season!!!***

My meter hit 110 !!! I know many of you uses dimmers, so here are my questions regarding heating:
>>
>>1) When purchasing a dimmer do you simply get one from a home improvement store or a pet store?
>>

I tend to use a dimmer and wire it to a three outlet extension cord. Then I can plug in the pad or tape to that and adjust more than one thing with a switch.

>>2) Will I have to split the wire or does the pad plug into the dimmer?

Likely, though I know there are some out there that you just plug into.
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Sonya

Haven't we warned you about tampering with the structure of a chaotic system?
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