Which Thermostat?

[Dead Dreamer]

My UTH does not keep a steady temp. It gets too hot at times. I am looking into buying a thermostat, but I am on a limited budget. Zoo Med has the 500, which is around $35. Why so inexpensive? Is it worth the money? If not, what is a good one at a reasonable price? I only have one leo right now. I really only need an on-off thermostat,correct? Sometime in the future I am planning on getting another tank and would be using the one thermostat for two tanks. Any suggestions?

 

[Designer Geckos]

I would hold off on getting that stat and invest in a Herpstat....$109. It will keep your temps in a very tight range, and yes you can run two UTH's off the one stat, as long as the two tanks are set up the same way.
We use Herpstats on all our terrariums and racks and they are very good. There are a few other good proportional stats out there as well.

If you want to have a tight range, invest in a good stat and you, and your leos will be very happy. Set it and forget it.

Good luck.

 

[Mel&Keith]

For $80 you can get a Johnson. These are the ones we use on all of our racks and we love them!

 

[sammer021486]

While herp stats are nice a simple on/off Ranco or Johnson pre-wired can be used. Mind you the price difference between the Ranco or Johnson pre-wired is around $20 less than the herp stat.

At the advice of a python breeder I have decided to run either Ranco or Johnson on/off thermostats for my tanks. I just can not justify paying $319US for the herp stat pro, that I would need for my set up.

The advantages of the herp stat is that it keeps the heat device at a constant temperature, prolongs the life of the device, and is pretty much a set and forget. It also raises the electrical cost due to always being on.

The Ranco or Johnson thermostat allows for a little more play in the actual temperature, but it does the job that it is required to do very well. It will save on electrical costs due to its on/off controlling, but could/can reduce the life of the heating device.

I am running the Zoo Med 500R right now and I have had great success with them, but it is time for me to upgrade because while I like to support my local suppliers before going else where, their prices for the 500R are now $10 less than an unwired Ranco and I have no issues with wiring the Ranco up and would prefer it in my situation over the pre-wired one. Not only the price difference, but the 500R are limited to only 2 outlets and I now require 6 for the one thermostat.

Just a note taken from the the manufacture of herp stat's website. Even the herp stats should be wired to a on/off so that if the herp stat ever malfunctions the on/off will be there to protect your pet.

 

[Latlaw]

I have a Herpstat for 3 of my tanks--I love it but I'm setting up another tank in a different area so I'm looking at a Johnson or Ranco for that one.