Thermostat or rheostat?

[Jennifer1]

Which do you prefer, and why?

We installed an UTH on my daughter's gecko tank last night with a thermostat, but I am not thrilled with the thermostat. First of all the probe is bigger than I had expected, and the calibration is completely off. I had to turn it down to what it says is a setting of 82, and the temperature is varying from 84-93. Is this much fluctuation okay? Would a rheostat keep it more constant?

 

[Jennifer1]

Okay, after I posted this of course I realized the problem with the rheostat would be that it keeps the power level constant, but not the temperature, so it could not accomodate if the ambient temp changes. Duh.

But is the fluctuation range I'm getting with the thermostat acceptable, or should I try to find a better one & return it? I really don't like the probe. I expected it to be thinner, but it is kinda short & fat and has a suction cup on it to attach to the wall. Which would be great if that's where I wanted it, but it makes it rather intrusive & bulky to put on the floor under his hide....

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Okay, after I posted this of course I realized the problem with the rheostat would be that it keeps the power level constant, but not the temperature, so it could not accomodate if the ambient temp changes. Duh.

But is the fluctuation range I'm getting with the thermostat acceptable, or should I try to find a better one & return it? I really don't like the probe. I expected it to be thinner, but it is kinda short & fat and has a suction cup on it to attach to the wall. Which would be great if that's where I wanted it, but it makes it rather intrusive & bulky to put on the floor under his hide....

With the thermostat set at say 91 F, the readings should vary no more than +/- 3 degrees before the thermostat turns off or on.

I'm finding the Hydrofarm MTPRTC thermostat that I bought in June 2013 to be pretty accurate. It has a small metal probe to which you can tape a digital's thermometer's probe and keep right on the floor of the warm dry hide. Still room for leo Randall. ;-) Also has a digital readout...a win-win! Amazon has those for ~$32.

 

[Jennifer1]

With the thermostat set at say 91 F, the readings should vary no more than +/- 3 degrees before the thermostat turns off or on.

I'm finding the Hydrofarm MTPRTC thermostat that I bought in June 2013 to be pretty accurate. It has a small metal probe to which you can tape a digital's thermometer's probe and keep right on the floor of the warm dry hide. Still room for leo Randall. ;-) Also has a digital readout...a win-win! Amazon has those for ~$32.

I looked up that thermostat on Amazon, and it looks like it has a suction cup, too. Is that removable?

The one I got is the BAH-1000DC Reptile Thermostat from Big Apple Pets (also on Amazon). The probe is thick & enclose in black plastic (?) with the suction cup attached.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I looked up that thermostat on Amazon, and it looks like it has a suction cup, too. Is that removable?

The one I got is the BAH-1000DC Reptile Thermostat from Big Apple Pets (also on Amazon). The probe is thick & enclose in black plastic (?) with the suction cup attached.

The Hydrofarm MTPRTC does have a 5/8 inch diameter suction cup that slides up and down the probe's cord. I tape the cord to the side of the glass. Haven't yet tried vegetable oil to the base of the suction cup to improve the suction.

You could remove it if you did not like it.

Pet Supplies - Pet Supply Store - Pet Products | PetMountain.com is a reliable place for supplies: good pricing and great customer service!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I looked up that thermostat on Amazon, and it looks like it has a suction cup, too. Is that removable?

The one I got is the BAH-1000DC Reptile Thermostat from Big Apple Pets (also on Amazon). The probe is thick & enclose in black plastic (?) with the suction cup attached.

The Hydrofarm MTPRTC does have a 5/8 inch diameter suction cup that slides up and down the probe's cord. I tape the cord to the side of the glass. Haven't yet tried vegetable oil to the base of the suction cup to improve the suction.

You could remove it if you did not like it.

Pet Supplies - Pet Supply Store - Pet Products | PetMountain.com is a reliable place for supplies: good pricing and great customer service!

Just amended the Leo Caresheet to include your feedback on the BAH-1000DC and my details on the Hydrofarm with the expected range.

Thanks.....