UTH and regulation..grrr

[Saphira]

We have three tanks.. All have UTH's.

Their temps are all over the place..I don't get it.

I have three probe thermometers and if I place them on the glass above the UTH under the reptile carpet...they read anywhere between 97-125... obviously it isn't that hot above the carpet...but how can I know what it is really...I don't want the probe on top of the carpet... I have one leo that insists on striking at it.
the thermometer on the wall of the tanks reads anywhere from 70-85 depending upon the heat in the house.. etc...

Isn't there an easier way to be sure what the temps are and why are the UTH fluxing so much on heat??

 

[cyndi0502]

you can get a temp gun, or you can tape the probe down on the carpet to make sure your gecko doesn't move it.

also, you can get a light dimmer or thermostat to control the hot temps if it's still hot above the carpet. if you cant get those right away pile a bunch of paper towels over the UTH and it will help keep the heat down.

 

[gothra]

I made small sand bags to hold down the probe on the carpet; my leos like sitting on it.

 

[Saphira]

It is so frustrating... now one is down to where it is supposed to be.. the other two are still hot... and the lizards seem to like it. they seldom go over to the cool side of the tank..

 

[Saphira]

What are the best temp thermostats?

 

[rince]

Hi Rachael,
I personally like the herpstats a lot. They have a model for any use. They are reliable, easy to setup and still have a lot of useful features. I do own two of these http://spyderrobotics.com/products/herpstatnd.html
which I think are perfect for single tanks. I don't know if they are the 'best' thermostats, but I can tell you none of those ever failed on me.

 

[Saphira]

Thanks!

WOW...those are expensive. That is something we couldn't do. We have three tanks....

any suggestion for cheaper ones?

 

[Tsks7205]

Reptile Basics have some that are fairly cheap.

http://reptilebasics.com/Thermostats-p-1-c-250.html

 

[rince]

Still, the cheaper ones are not proportional,but are 'on-off' solutions. If you buy a herpstat pro , you can manage 4 tanks and you pay $319 for a fully proportional thermostat with all bells and whistles.
Also a very good excuse to get that fourth tank to maximize the use of the thermostat.

 

[Saphira]

well if I had money to blow..I would totally do it. but right now not going to happen. Will save the info for later though. Thanks.

 

[rince]

if the environmental conditions are stable, you could consider a rheostat which you will be able to buy for about $25 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...ubref=AA&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=0231703000000
I do not have any experience with them though and it would be important to have stable temperatures in the room since the Rheostat will not adjust to temperature changes but is basically a variable resistor, which you can set to a certain value.

 

[Saphira]

Thank you. We have two in one room and one in the other. The room with the two is pretty consistent....