Hydrofarm thermostat

cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
Just a little warning for those who use the Hydrofarm thermostat.

This morning my nephew call me and asked if I can come over and take a look at a new bearded dragon he bought. I noticed he was using the Hydrofarm thermostat for his UTH (he provides both basking and floor) and I just had to check how accurate the reading is. Well these are the results:

Hydrofarm probe reading- 95f
Digital thermometer probe- 88f
Temp gun- 89f

Obviously the reading on the Hydrofarm is quite off. This can lead to serious issues such as under heating or burns or a gecko avoiding the hide. So moral of the story, make sure that you compare the thermostat temp using at least 2 other thermometers for accuracy.
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Cricket or others ~

Have you any idea of what normal variance ratings are for the Hydrofarm, + and -? Is your nephew using the Hydrofarm MTPRTC?

I use a different brand.
 
cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
Elizabeth Freer said:
What does he have it set at?
Click to expand...

I did only tell you the probe reading. The Hydrofarm was set to 95. Just reminding you, for a bearded dragon(higher temps) not leo.:) He also has an actual basking spot with higher temps. (he's not underheated, no worries).
 
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cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
Elizabeth Freer said:
Just sent the Hydrofarm Company an email. Hydrofarm does not publish a phone number as far as I know :sad:

More expensive thermostats:
Spyder Robotics
Helix
Ranco
Johnson

Have you some of those thermostats?
Click to expand...

Yes, but let's be realistic Elizabeth. Don't make me say it out loud...:evil:
 
Riverside Reptiles

Riverside Reptiles

Administrator (HMFIC)
This goes for ANY thermostat. You should always check to make sure what you're reading is correct.

Also, I wonder if perhaps you're not using the device correctly. The read out isn't what the probe is reading, it's what the thermostat is trying to achieve. If it's set at 95 and the uth in question isn't powerful enough to reach that heat, you're going to have underheating issues. A thermostat can't make the heating device put out any more power than the heating device is made to put out.

This is from the hydrofarm web site instructions:
"If the thermostat remains “on” (delivering power to the heatmat) for more than 5
consecutive hours, this indicates desired temperatures are not being reached. To
achieve higher temperatures the mat may need to be placed on a more insulated
surface."


cricket4u said:
Just a little warning for those who use the Hydrofarm thermostat.

This morning my nephew call me and asked if I can come over and take a look at a new bearded dragon he bought. I noticed he was using the Hydrofarm thermostat for his UTH (he provides both basking and floor) and I just had to check how accurate the reading is. Well these are the results:

Hydrofarm probe reading- 95f
Digital thermometer probe- 88f
Temp gun- 89f

Obviously the reading on the Hydrofarm is quite off. This can lead to serious issues such as under heating or burns or a gecko avoiding the hide. So moral of the story, make sure that you compare the thermostat temp using at least 2 other thermometers for accuracy.
Click to expand...
 
cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
Riverside Reptiles said:
This goes for ANY thermostat. You should always check to make sure what you're reading is correct.

Also, I wonder if perhaps you're not using the device correctly. The read out isn't what the probe is reading, it's what the thermostat is trying to achieve. If it's set at 95 and the uth in question isn't powerful enough to reach that heat, you're going to have underheating issues. A thermostat can't make the heating device put out any more power than the heating device is made to put out.

This is from the hydrofarm web site instructions:
"If the thermostat remains “on” (delivering power to the heatmat) for more than 5
consecutive hours, this indicates desired temperatures are not being reached. To
achieve higher temperatures the mat may need to be placed on a more insulated
surface."
Click to expand...

At first I thought that was the problem, however the thermostat shut off at 95f. It has 2 indicator lights if I recall correctly, one for heating and the other power. So once it reached 95f the heat indicator light went off. There's always the chance he bought a defective one I guess. It would be great if anyone who uses the same model tested theirs.
 
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Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Tony uses both these thermostats with his 30 x 12.5 x 12.5 inch high tank.

"Sent: Thu, May 9, 2013 8:21 pm
Subject: Re: BAH 1000 vs Hydrofarm MTPRTC thermostats

I have had no issue with either thermostat. The hydrofarm is connected to the heat mat, which is its intended use and has done an excellent job of maintaining temps within 2 degrees above or below the setting. I set it at 91, and my ground temps have not varied beyond 89-93 since I started using it. I check my ground temps twice a day. Once when I get to school in the morning and once before I leave. The BAH is connected to the CHE and is set at 85 degrees. It seems to do a good job maintaining temps as well. My CHE is 100 watt, and it kicks on and off as needed.

In tandem, they have worked well together. I have had no issues at all since I first set them. I literally set them to the correct temps, and have never had to touch them again.

Have a great day!
Tony Perkins"
 
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cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
Elizabeth Freer said:
Tony uses both these thermostats with his 30 x 12.5 x 12.5 inch high tank.

"Sent: Thu, May 9, 2013 8:21 pm
Subject: Re: BAH 1000 vs Hydrofarm MTPRTC thermostats

I have had no issue with either thermostat. The hydrofarm is connected to the heat mat, which is its intended use and has done an excellent job of maintaining temps within 2 degrees above or below the setting. I set it at 91, and my ground temps have not varied beyond 89-93 since I started using it. I check my ground temps twice a day. Once when I get to school in the morning and once before I leave. The BAH is connected to the CHE and is set at 85 degrees. It seems to do a good job maintaining temps as well. My CHE is 100 watt, and it kicks on and off as needed.

In tandem, they have worked well together. I have had no issues at all since I first set them. I literally set them to the correct temps, and have never had to touch them again.

Have a great day!
Tony Perkins"
Click to expand...

Hello Tony,

The only problem was the probe reading was off. Did you compare the probe reading by also using another thermometer? Can you share your final readings? I remember your gecko spent lots of time in the humidity hide, so I just want to make sure you understand the actual problem.
 
cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
Can anyone who uses this model please compare the probe reading to another thermostat and share the readings. I just want to make sure before I tell my nephew his may just be defective.

Thank you
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
cricket4u said:
Can anyone who uses this model please compare the probe reading to another thermostat and share the readings. I just want to make sure before I tell my nephew his may just be defective.

Thank you
Click to expand...

A number of leo owners use the Hydrofarm MTPRTC. However, they may not have 2 thermostats and may not see this thread, cricket4u.

Would it work for you if they verify their Hydrofarm thermostat's probe reading with a probe from a digital thermometer or by a temperature gun?
 
Riverside Reptiles

Riverside Reptiles

Administrator (HMFIC)
I don't ever depend on the "setting" number to be an actual indicator of actually temperature on ANY thermostat (and I have used everything from the big apple one to Johnson, Ranco and others). You simply set it until the enclosure reaches the desired temperature and shuts off. Regardless of what the read out is, this will be where you want it to be set. It's just a simple on/off function, not rocket science. Keep in mind also that you get what you pay for. If you're only willing to spend $30 on a thermostat, don't expect the performance of a $150 thermostat. There's a reason that there's a cost difference.
 
cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
That's exactly what I told him, but was trying to refrain from saying it here.:)

Elizabeth~ No worries, I just thought I'd ask for the sake of others. I just spoke to him and he said he doesn't feel like calling people over $35, he will just buy a better one.
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
cricket4u said:
That's exactly what I told him, but was trying to refrain from saying it here.:)

Elizabeth~ No worries, I just thought I'd ask for the sake of others. I just spoke to him and he said he doesn't feel like calling people over $35, he will just buy a better one.
Click to expand...

Just got off the phone with Hydrofarm's tech support. The person mentioned the temperature differential for the Hydrofarm MTPRTC thermostat. He said there should only be a 3% differential. For instance, if the thermostat's "set" temperature is 91 F, then it can be expected that the temperature will drop down no more than 3 degrees (3% of 91) to 88 F before cycling on. There is also a chance that after it shuts off at 91 F, the temperature as read at the probe could be a smidge higher than 91 F.

As mentioned, it is always important to verify the "set" temperature with a trusted thermometer or temperature gun.

My Pro Exotics PE-2 temperature gun (TempGun.com) has an accuracy of +/- 1.8 degrees F at room temperature.
 
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K

kouneli

New member
I have the same Hydrofarm. I have to set mine at 93F to keep the flexwatt heat tape from dropping below 88F. The probe for the thermostat is directly beside the probe for an ExoTerra digital thermometer, and I use a ProExotics temp gun as well. The dig. thermometer reads 89 at the lowest and 91 at the highest almost daily. The temp gun reads 92 sometimes on hot, sunny days, but mostly around 89. So I have it pretty well covered as far as temps go. Each cage is set up the same way and has almost the same readings throughout the day.
 
cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
kouneli said:
I have the same Hydrofarm. I have to set mine at 93F to keep the flexwatt heat tape from dropping below 88F. The probe for the thermostat is directly beside the probe for an ExoTerra digital thermometer, and I use a ProExotics temp gun as well. The dig. thermometer reads 89 at the lowest and 91 at the highest almost daily. The temp gun reads 92 sometimes on hot, sunny days, but mostly around 89. So I have it pretty well covered as far as temps go. Each cage is set up the same way and has almost the same readings throughout the day.
Click to expand...

I just want to make sure I understood correctly, it drops 5 degrees before it starts back up again?
 
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