Heat Pads / Thermostat Question

[JdiLb]

I'm using a ZooMed heat pad with a Zilla thermostat for my geckos. The thermostat isn't the best out there but it does the job, and keeps it in the general 88-95 range. Anyway I was wondering, if I have two heat pads of different sizes will the thermostat be able to control both or no because of different wattage?
Also, are there any economy thermostats people recommend? The Zilla is fine for me but I'm wondering if there's anything better at that price. I just got a Zilla heat pad for the first time and I definitely wouldn't get another, it wouldn't stick to the glass.

 

[tiedxupxinxknots]

No it wont heat it properly, because of the different wattages, most likely one will be too hot. As for a better thermostats, you would need to get a herpstat which is one of the best that i kno for about 100, the ones around 50 only get the job done, which is what yours is doing.

 

[brillobee]

I have tried to control 2 heat pads, same wattage, same brand, same substrate, with one thermastat. Logic would assume that they would both heat the same, since all the variables are the same, but no. They were different temperatures. I use dimmers switches on all my tanks, so I can control the temps individually. The only down side is I have to periodically check the temps to make sure they stay within range. I can usually tell if the temps are correct by where the geckos are.

 

[acpart]

If you plug 2 heat pads into the same thermostat, the thermostat will keep the chosen heat in the spot under the probe. The UTH that doesn't have a probe over it will turn on and off whenever the thermostat does. Depending on the heat pad and the ambient temperature, this may maintain the same temp or not.

My UHT of choice is the Zoo-Med which I get from craigslist or Ebay for a max. of $11 shipped for the 10-20 gallon size. I also use Zoo-Med heat cable.

Aliza

 

[JdiLb]

I have tried to control 2 heat pads, same wattage, same brand, same substrate, with one thermastat. Logic would assume that they would both heat the same, since all the variables are the same, but no. They were different temperatures. I use dimmers switches on all my tanks, so I can control the temps individually. The only down side is I have to periodically check the temps to make sure they stay within range. I can usually tell if the temps are correct by where the geckos are.

Yeah I've noticed it's unreliable, I wasn't expecting it to work because the one probe anyway. What dimmers do you use? I went out a few days ago to buy one, plugged it into the heat mat, and nothing happened. No heat came up. :main_huh:

 

[JdiLb]

If you plug 2 heat pads into the same thermostat, the thermostat will keep the chosen heat in the spot under the probe. The UTH that doesn't have a probe over it will turn on and off whenever the thermostat does. Depending on the heat pad and the ambient temperature, this may maintain the same temp or not.

My UHT of choice is the Zoo-Med which I get from craigslist or Ebay for a max. of $11 shipped for the 10-20 gallon size. I also use Zoo-Med heat cable.

Aliza

Thanks, I actually just ordered a zoo-med. I've only used their UTHs so far but they're great so I'm looking forward to this one.

 

[acpart]

Yeah I've noticed it's unreliable, I wasn't expecting it to work because the one probe anyway. What dimmers do you use? I went out a few days ago to buy one, plugged it into the heat mat, and nothing happened. No heat came up. :main_huh:

If you had the dimmer setting at the lowest point then no heat came up because you were preventing any power from getting to the heat mat. At the highest setting, your heat mat should be putting out 100% of the heat it's capable of and at the lowest setting, the heat mat should be putting out nearly 0% of it's possible heat. Check your settings. If it's not that, you either have a defective rheostat, or you've plugged it in wrong.

Aliza