Proper Temp Thermostats

Piggybuns · 01-02-16, 05:15 PM

Hi there, as some of you know, I'm new to the snake-game. Ghost, my one and only lil corn snake baby is doing really good so far, she likes to explore and hide under multiple hides now instead of just her plastic plant, which is good. I moved her into a smaller tub for now rather than the whole 20 gallon and she seems to enjoy the more enclosed space. (Till she gets bigger of course.)

When I got her, I got a Reptihabitat 20long Snake Starter Kit With Tank, which came with a LOT of useful things to kick me off the ground for. But the little thermometer they gave me is this cheap plastic little round thing that I know for a fact is inadequate, the only thing I didn't really care for when I got it. I'd already researched corn snakes for 10 months before buying, so I double checked everything before I got it to be sure the substrate they gave me was right, the size was right, and the tank has a track-lid, so no pushing out kinda deal. It's actually pretty nice, except for that.

I want one of the digital ones with probes you can stick in multiple places to determine temperatures and establish a real good heating gradient, and just got my check. I'm expecting it to be pricy, so I'm not concerned about price right now, I'll do what I gotta do to keep her warm and comfortable! But uh, I'm completely new to this or how they work, or where they go in the tank. Or even how to work them, though I'm guessing the book will tell me.

So you guys have a lot of experience and most of you have multiple snakes. What's a good one to get? I don't know any companies in order to determine reliability, and I want to be sure what I get is good and not cheap like the sad little plastic one they gave me for now. (It was just a starter kit, I kinda knew I'd have to replace some things with nicer stuff which I plan to do here on Monday! I'm so excited to spoil her with all kinds of things. But important stuff comes first.) So far, the temp seems to be right, and the undertank heater is comfortable enough with substrate on top for her to sit and burrow under, but like I said I have no GOOD accurate way to determine what her temps are right now.

So... best ones to get? Ones to avoid? Added accessories to keep things regulated? I heard there was something that could change how a heating pad heats up (it controls it? I dunno maybe I heard that wrong.)

Wingbeats · 01-02-16, 05:26 PM

For regulating temperatures, a decent-but-cheap one is this one:
Click for link

It's made for regulating the temps of seeds, but the probe works just fine in a reptile tank as well! It keeps things within 1-2 degrees of the set temperature, which is just fine.

I use it to regulate the temps for both of my rainbow boas, and I've had no issues so far. There is definitely fancier ones out there, but I'm good so far

pet_snake_78 · 01-02-16, 05:31 PM

The ones I really like are called Herpstat. They also have good documentation on their website about thermostats in general see here. For a heat matt/head pad (and anything in an incubation situation), I always use proportional controllers.

For controller ACs/Refridgerators, I use a RANCO controller which is not proportional but has a tight range and can handle high wattage. They make some prewired see etc supply store and you can find one for about 80 USD. I also use these to control space heaters and attach a hydrofarm as a backup. I've had a hydrofarm stick in the ON position before, so I don't really trust them but find them find for a backup.

Finally, I use a few lamp dimmers. They are 11 bucks at lowes. I wouldn't do this for anything unreplaceable as they also could fail or accidently bumped.

**EL Ziggy** · 01-02-16, 05:38 PM

I use hydrofarm thermostats as well and have for years without incident. The higher end thermostats are made by Herpstat and Vivarium Electronics.

Wingbeats · 01-02-16, 05:46 PM

Huh, what the heck? I put in an Amazon link up there but it keeps changing to a different store. I'm so confused lol.

Piggybuns · 01-02-16, 05:50 PM

Oh okay. I'd heard of Herpstat earlier in another thread and was checking that out just now. I kinda like the Hydrofarm though, I think I'll go with that here on Monday, and get rid of the little plastic thing in the viv. Thanks so much guys! When I have everything set up and ready to go I'll get some pics in. I'm in the process of "designing" my tank now from the basics to some interesting decorations and better hides too, but I wanted to make sure I had a proper thermostat first.

:EDIT: You mean the Rakuten site? XD I dunno, maybe they have a redirect link from Amazon.

IW17 · 01-03-16, 11:02 AM

As far as controlling temps, the hydrofarm is a great value. Herpstat and vivarium electronic are considered to be the best,but you'll pay for that quality. If it was me, having only one snake, especially something as easy as a corn, I'd go with the hydrofarm.

Now to monitor your temps and temp gradient, go with something like this http://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-00891A...or+thermometer