cheap thermometer?

Gravelanche · 03-11-13, 04:33 PM

where can i get a cheap thermometer for a rack in canada.

the norm seems to be the VE-100 to 300 but i dont understand why they jump almost $50 or more as soon as they cross the border.

right now im using a manual setup with a probe thermometer and a table top light dimmer. costs about $40 for the 2 pieces after tax.

Terranaut · 03-11-13, 04:56 PM

I assume you mean a thermostat not a thermometer. Look into hydrafarms. Very cheap and mine have been very reliable.
I think it's Korbin who gets them cheap but don't quote me.

erichillkeast · 03-11-13, 09:43 PM

Ive gotten them (the hydrofarm thermostat that terranaut is talking about) on amazon (the american one) shipped with express delivery for 40$ each (I bought two) so I would look into that. Also the more you buy the less shipping costs per unit.

EDIT: Here is the amazon url. They are a bit more expensive than when I bought them, but still a lot cheaper than the VE ones.

Hurrok · 03-11-13, 10:21 PM

I use the HydroFarm ones as well, works great! Although I got 2 for about $50 a few months ago.

Here's the Canadian Amazon link:

Jumpstart Digital Thermostat for Heat Mats: Amazon.ca: Home & Kitchen

Gravelanche · 03-11-13, 10:25 PM

nice, might grab that one instead, right now im just using a probe thermometer and a regular old dimmer switch. just takes a bit of balancing. but the price is definitely right

Lankyrob · 03-12-13, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravelanche

nice, might grab that one instead, right now im just using a probe thermometer and a regular old dimmer switch. just takes a bit of balancing. but the price is definitely right

One problem with a dimmer - what if you are away from the houses and there isa sudden rise or drop in ambient temps? The temps in the viv R then going to fluctuate wildly, whereas with a thermostat it will iron out and temperature spikes for you whether you are there or not.

Lickeypie · 03-11-13, 11:46 PM

i got one for temp and humidity from lowes for $10 and it works great!

Gravelanche · 03-12-13, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lickeypie

i got one for temp and humidity from lowes for $10 and it works great!

not the same, we are talking about a heat controlling thermostat, you plug heat tape into it and it measures and controls the heat output. i have the one you are talking about for my gecko's though

Lickeypie · 03-12-13, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravelanche

not the same, we are talking about a heat controlling thermostat, you plug heat tape into it and it measures and controls the heat output. i have the one you are talking about for my gecko's though

You threw me off with the title: "cheap thermometer". I realize now that you're talking about a thermostat.

Gravelanche · 03-12-13, 10:00 AM

oh of course the thermostat is more ideal and i will upgrade probably this summer when i have more cash. just had to drop $250 on a hatchling / juvenile rack for the gecko eggs i have coming soon

KORBIN5895 · 03-12-13, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravelanche

oh of course the thermostat is more ideal and i will upgrade probably this summer when i have more cash. just had to drop $250 on a hatchling / juvenile rack for the gecko eggs i have coming soon

You're really irresponsible. You're stating you don't have the money to spend $50 on a proper thermostat but you just bought a hatchling rack and some new snakes? This speaks volumes about you.

Squirtle · 03-12-13, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

You're really irresponsible. You're stating you don't have the money to spend $50 on a proper thermostat but you just bought a hatchling rack and some new snakes? This speaks volumes about you.

I agree...

Julius2314 · 03-12-13, 11:14 AM

This is what I use, idk how much other ones are but this seams like a good deal to me.
Amazon.com: Zilla 11939 Temperature Controller, 1000-Watt: Pet Supplies

at petco that exact one is like $56. but amazon is only like $26.

Also, is it possible to control multiple enclosures with only one thermostat?

KORBIN5895 · 03-12-13, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julius2314

This is what I use, idk how much other ones are but this seams like a good deal to me.
Amazon.com: Zilla 11939 Temperature Controller, 1000-Watt: Pet Supplies

at petco that exact one is like $56. but amazon is only like $26.

Also, is it possible to control multiple enclosures with only one thermostat?

First off gravelanch is not very experienced and you should take his advice with a tablespoon of salt.

Yes you can control multiple enclosures with one thermostat but you need to make sure it is a multiple zone thermostat. Herpstat 4 is an amazing example of a multi zone. It has 4 temp probes and four power outlets ( possibly 8 I don't remember). Basically you use one probe per enclosure and hook that enclosures heat source up to the corresponding power outlet. Each zone is able to be programmed independently. So yes you can use one thermostat for multiple enclosures.

Gravelanche · 03-12-13, 11:24 AM

o know that VE makes thermostats with 2 outputs, and i supose as long as you were under the max wattage you could use a splitter as long as all the racks were close together and needed the exact same heating

i read a lot of bad reviews for that one, chose not to