Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm throwing together some snake racks for the ball pythons I'm expecting to hatch any day now. I've never used heat tape before, what is the best thermostat for the money and any suggestions on where to buy the thermostat, heat tape, connectors/wire?

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1.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.1 Ball Python
1.1 Corn Snake
0.1 Gray band Kingsnake
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
0.1 Pueblan Milksnake
1.0 Bullsnake
1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback
0.1 Spouse
8 ball python eggs due any day now!

Oh wow, I am liking that pic..lol.. The best thermostat for the money depends on what your wanting out of it.. If you just need something to regulate the temps in a hatchling rack then a analog themrostat will be fine.. A Johnsons or Ranco will work for you pretty good. They will not be as acurate as a proportional stat but unless your breeding I personally dont think you need something like that.. As far as where to buy, well im bias..lol.... Here are some links

www.mgreptiles.com (my company)
www.lllreptile.com ask for scott
www.bigappleherp.com
www.beanfarm.com
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www.MGReptiles.com
Professional Heating Supplies

Thanks, I was kinda busy putting these racks together this afternoon and didn't take the time to read the discussion below on thermostats. I went to your website earlier and really appreciated all the comparisons you provided.

3 hours and $45.00 bucks later and the pic below is what I have. Not too bad, considering the eggs will be hatching any day now, and I had to rush. This is the first rack I've built, and I found that two magazines under each rubbermaid container made the perfect sized shim. The bottom container won't have heat, most likely and will just be used as a hibernation cage or more likely, storage.

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1.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.1 Ball Python
1.1 Corn Snake
0.1 Gray band Kingsnake
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
0.1 Pueblan Milksnake
1.0 Bullsnake
1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback
0.1 Spouse
8 ball python eggs due any day now!

Good looking rack indeed!!! Ladder racks are always a life saver..lol.. Looks like all you need is some 3" Flexwatt for some belly ehat and a tstat and your ready to go.. With a Johsnons or Ranco you will be able to expand on that rack as your hobby grows...
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www.MGReptiles.com
Professional Heating Supplies

yeah, and I need it ASAP. Just exactly what else do I need besides the thermostat, 3" heat tape, (like connectors, wire, plugs, etc. And how do I determine how much heat tape to get?

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1.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.1 Ball Python
1.1 Corn Snake
0.1 Gray band Kingsnake
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
0.1 Pueblan Milksnake
1.0 Bullsnake
1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback
0.1 Spouse
8 ball python eggs due any day now!

For what it's worth the Ranco is preferred over the Johnson.
I have both. The Ranco has a one degree differential while the Johnson has a two degree difference. Been using both for over two years for UTH pads with my BP's. This difference may not be the same for others, but it has for me.
For incubation a Herpstat is used. This digital has only a one tenth of a degree difference. Haven't tried other brands out there, but am very satisfied with the Herpstat.

Mike

I agree Mike. We use Rancos and Johnsons and while both are good thermostats, we prefer the one degree temperature differential of the Ranco over the two degree differential of the Johnson. For incubation, we are using the Helix with great results.
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Louis Kirkland
Game Balls
Game Ball Pythons

You should be able to get the Johnsons to a one degree diff as well.. Just curious about that.. .Its a model A419 right?
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www.MGReptiles.com
Professional Heating Supplies

I really tried with no success. Re-read the instructions many times. The Johnson still goes to a 2 degree shift.
Yes it is the same model you quoted.

Eventually I'll switch all to a herpstat and retire both Johnson and Ranco to the farm.

Mike