TOO MUCH HEAT?!?!?!

[geckogirls]

I have an UTH for all of my reptiles cages, I have never needed a thermostat for my snakes, because they are each in a 30 or 40 gallon tank, and the heating pad I have puts out just enough heat, but I have 4 cages that are 20 gallons or smaller, for my leos, baby leo, and baby snake, the heat is too much, I have a thermometer that only goes to 90 degrees, and it is above that, sooo I was wondering if there was soemthing I could do to plug all of my tanks (6 on one side) into some type of thing that will control the heat that the UTH put out? Any help would be great!!!

Thanks

 

[PaulSage]

It sounds like you need a thermostat or rheostat for each of the smaller enclosures. There are several online reptile supply retailers who offer a variety of such controllers. Some pet stores may carry them as well. I would also recommend getting a more accurate thermometer or temperature gun that has a wider range of readable temperatures.

 

[lytlesnake]

6 UTHs still don't add up to a lot of total watts, so just a simple Zoo Med Repti Temp Thermostat and a pair of extension cords should be all you need. That thermostat is under $25 at petco or petsmart. You can get the extension cords at the grocery or hardware store. The thermostat has (2) 2-prong plugs, so you'll want (2) 2-prong extension cords that have 3 outlets each. They usually have 2 outlets on one side and one on the back, if you know the ones I'm talking about. They're not expensive either, $5 or $7 each, something like that.

Plug all your UTHs into the thermostat and turn it all the way down. Wait a half hour or so and then check the temperature on the hot spot. If you need to turn the thermostat up, just turn it up a little tiny bit at a time until you get the temps your animals need.

 

[geckogirls]

6 UTHs still don't add up to a lot of total watts, so just a simple Zoo Med Repti Temp Thermostat and a pair of extension cords should be all you need. The thermostat has (2) 2-prong plugs, so you'll want (2) 2-prong extension cords that have 3 outlets each. They usually have 2 outlets on one side and one on the back, if you know the ones I'm talking about. They're not expensive either, $5 or $7 each, something like that.

Is it safe though to have extention cords like that plugged into the thermostat? I thought about it, but didn't think it would be safe (electrically).
so I have heard many different temps that the heat should be at, what is the ideal heat for leopard geckos?

 

[ataber]

the ideal heat for leo's is 88-92 on a hot spot provided by uth/heat tape/heat rope/etc..

you should get a better thermometer but a temp gun would be best so you can read the temps from all the cages. as for controlling the temps its best not to keep cages of different sizes on the same thermostat. if they are fairly similar in size then you can get a power strip and plug them into that and then that into a thermostat/rheostat/dimmer. I saw somewhere that had ranco thermostats wired with a power strip with i think 5 or 6 outlets so that would probly be safer then using some extension cords.

also if you are goin to the morehead show this weekend i might be there if you needed any other help with your leos or setup

 

[lytlesnake]

as for controlling the temps its best not to keep cages of different sizes on the same thermostat. if they are fairly similar in size then you can get a power strip and plug them into that and then that into a thermostat/rheostat/dimmer.

A power strip is 3-prong though, which is why I recommended those extension cords. I've had some hooked up like that for a while and haven't had a problem. You're right about different sizes though, well it depends. If you're using glass aquariums and the glass thickness is the same, no problem. Otherwise you'll need to monitor temps on all the tanks and see if you can get away with putting them all on one thermostat or not. I'd go with temps above the UTH at between 86-90 if possible.

 

[Leopardbreeder]

BUT! You cannot use one controller for all 6 tanks. The smaller the pad the less watage it will require. SO, a bigger pad will be colder if you put the probe on a small pad, and the small will get way too hot if you put it on a large pad. Use a dimmer for each one, or have group the small ones (must be the same size and model, ect....) and large ones (ditto to the last one).

 

[lytlesnake]

BUT! You cannot use one controller for all 6 tanks. The smaller the pad the less watage it will require. SO, a bigger pad will be colder if you put the probe on a small pad, and the small will get way too hot if you put it on a large pad. Use a dimmer for each one, or have group the small ones (must be the same size and model, ect....) and large ones (ditto to the last one).

Here's an example of what's working for me on some kingsnake tanks. In one case I have (2) 15 gallon and (2) 10 gallon tanks, each one with an 8-watt UTH. I have them plugged into a Herpstat ND proportional thermostat. The Herpstat has only 3 outlets, though it's rated for 600 watts, so I'm using one of those extension cords to run the 4 units. The probe is taped to the inside glass just above the UTH in one of the 15 gal tanks. I also have some 5 gallon tanks w/ 4-watt UTHs nearby. To see what would happen, I plugged the 4-watt units into the Herpstat also. It's basically running at only 10%-30% all the time, so the smaller units aren't going to get too hot. They do stay hot enough though.

Now, I wouldn't even try this if one UTH was 12 watts and one was 4 watts, that's too much difference. These snakes love to burrow, so I use several inches of aspen bedding. This way, even if they get right on the UTH they won't get cooked. I should also mention that this is a temporary setup, since the adult racks I ordered 3 months ago still have not shipped. Yeah, I know.... long story. Actually I'm going to pick up a rack or two from Vision tomorrow! I'll probably just sell the other ones if they ever arrive.

 

[ataber]

you can get a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter for the power strip so that it can plug into the thermostat/rheostat/dimmer tho or buy the ranco one thats got a strip wired to it already. i would say what your doing jason works but it just depends on crystals tank's and uth's as to whether that would be a logical option for her especially if it has to be more of a permanent setup.

 

[lytlesnake]

you can get a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter for the power strip so that it can plug into the thermostat/rheostat/dimmer tho or buy the ranco one thats got a strip wired to it already. i would say what your doing jason works but it just depends on crystals tank's and uth's as to whether that would be a logical option for her especially if it has to be more of a permanent setup.

Yeah, it's dicey! I'll have some aquariums for sale very soon though. I certainly don't want to give bad advice that could hurt an animal, so I always recommend that people check the temp on each and every UTH/tank/tub when doing something like this.

Good idea on the adapter!

 

[Leopardbreeder]

Here's an example of what's working for me on some kingsnake tanks. In one case I have (2) 15 gallon and (2) 10 gallon tanks, each one with an 8-watt UTH. I have them plugged into a Herpstat ND proportional thermostat. The Herpstat has only 3 outlets, though it's rated for 600 watts, so I'm using one of those extension cords to run the 4 units. The probe is taped to the inside glass just above the UTH in one of the 15 gal tanks. I also have some 5 gallon tanks w/ 4-watt UTHs nearby. To see what would happen, I plugged the 4-watt units into the Herpstat also. It's basically running at only 10%-30% all the time, so the smaller units aren't going to get too hot. They do stay hot enough though.

Now, I wouldn't even try this if one UTH was 12 watts and one was 4 watts, that's too much difference. These snakes love to burrow, so I use several inches of aspen bedding. This way, even if they get right on the UTH they won't get cooked. I should also mention that this is a temporary setup, since the adult racks I ordered 3 months ago still have not shipped. Yeah, I know.... long story. Actually I'm going to pick up a rack or two from Vision tomorrow! I'll probably just sell the other ones if they ever arrive.

Sorry if I wasn't clear about that, that is basically what I meant. Don't use diffent wattages on the same stat. Thanks

 

[lytlesnake]

Sorry if I wasn't clear about that, that is basically what I meant. Don't use diffent wattages on the same stat. Thanks

What you were saying is the best rule to live by really. Basically, if you're using the same UTHs and the setups are pretty much identical, you can put them on the same thermostat. If you're gonna mix 4 and 8 watt UTHs like I'm doing, put the probe on the bigger one, and check all the temps so you know it's safe.

 

[geckogirls]

the ideal heat for leo's is 88-92 on a hot spot provided by uth/heat tape/heat rope/etc..

you should get a better thermometer but a temp gun would be best so you can read the temps from all the cages. as for controlling the temps its best not to keep cages of different sizes on the same thermostat. if they are fairly similar in size then you can get a power strip and plug them into that and then that into a thermostat/rheostat/dimmer. I saw somewhere that had ranco thermostats wired with a power strip with i think 5 or 6 outlets so that would probly be safer then using some extension cords.

also if you are goin to the morehead show this weekend i might be there if you needed any other help with your leos or setup

Okay where do I find a temp gun? How expensive are they? I have three heat pads that are the same exact size/model, and one that is just a little bit bigger, different model, should I not keep those on one? I can buy a separate thermostat for that cage, if I needed to.
I was wanting to go to the morehead show, but I am not going to be able to make it, I am going to St. Louis, from Thursay-Sunday VACATION!! LOL anyway, I will DEFINATELY be going to the Shelbyville show, I am going to be vending, are you going to the October Shelbyville show? I can't wait for that show, the zoo med van is coming, and it will be Jarrod's first show as owner and Jasons first show as just a vendor, can't wait to see how it turns out.

Thanks

 

[ataber]

You MIGHT be able to find a temp gun at a petstore..I would say somebody @ shelbyville might have one but you might ask on the forums if anybody has one they dont use anymore or have any for sale. New, you can get decent ones for 25-50.

I would say you can put the 3 that are the same size on one stat and the bigger one on a different just to be safe. As of now i plan on goin to the shelbyville show as long as nothing comes up.