Thermostats which one should I buy?

Beman

Beman

Social Media Manager
Staff member
To all you wonderful people that are using thermostats. I want to join in and get one too.
Our ambient air fluctuates a lot. So I have gone back and forth with different bulb watts and types and end up with this one is too hot or this one is too cold. Or noon will hit and the ambient air in the room has warmed up quite a bit so the cage gets hotter. So I end up adjusting the dimmer on the basking fixture at least 6 times a day to keep it right at 85. Otherwise even with a lower wattage it jumps up there. Also we don't have air conditioner just central heat. So for winter when the heat kicks on the same thing happens his basking temp jumps up. In the summer I will have the same situation so I will be opening windows and depending on that it could drop the temp.

I want to get one but they are expensive so I don't want to get the wrong one. I have a fuckers dimmable dome light fixture right now and I am using incandescent basking bulbs. I would like to get one that will work with the stuff I already have if possible. I am thinking that as long as I have the dimmable fixture on my dome fixture turned all the way up that it will still adjust and work with the thermostats taking control. But this is a guess :p

I found these two and they both seem like they will do exactly what I need. If you are familiar with these can I please get your feedback on them. Or if you have another one that will work with my stuff and dims then I would love to hear your suggestion. Thank you!

http://www.reptilesupplyco.com/whol...s-timers/2793-herpstat-1-spyder-robotics.html
or http://www.reptilesupplyco.com/whol...-thermostat-ve-200d-vivarium-electronics.html
 
Beman said:
To all you wonderful people that are using thermostats. I want to join in and get one too.
Our ambient air fluctuates a lot. So I have gone back and forth with different bulb watts and types and end up with this one is too hot or this one is too cold. Or noon will hit and the ambient air in the room has warmed up quite a bit so the cage gets hotter. So I end up adjusting the dimmer on the basking fixture at least 6 times a day to keep it right at 85. Otherwise even with a lower wattage it jumps up there. Also we don't have air conditioner just central heat. So for winter when the heat kicks on the same thing happens his basking temp jumps up. In the summer I will have the same situation so I will be opening windows and depending on that it could drop the temp.

I want to get one but they are expensive so I don't want to get the wrong one. I have a fuckers dimmable dome light fixture right now and I am using incandescent basking bulbs. I would like to get one that will work with the stuff I already have if possible. I am thinking that as long as I have the dimmable fixture on my dome fixture turned all the way up that it will still adjust and work with the thermostats taking control. But this is a guess :p

I found these two and they both seem like they will do exactly what I need. If you are familiar with these can I please get your feedback on them. Or if you have another one that will work with my stuff and dims then I would love to hear your suggestion. Thank you!

http://www.reptilesupplyco.com/whol...s-timers/2793-herpstat-1-spyder-robotics.html
or http://www.reptilesupplyco.com/whol...-thermostat-ve-200d-vivarium-electronics.html
Click to expand...
You're right. Turn your lamp to max and let the stat adjust the power needed as required.

They are not fancy, no digital displays but I have 5 Micro Climates (1 of which is high range for the beardie) and one Habbistat.
 
Even with temperature variation, the chameleon should be able to thermoregulate as long as the enclosure is tall enough. Temperatures also fluctuate in their natural setting and should not be a big concern as long as it doesn't get too hot or too cold.

I think a thermostat will work either way. Maybe consider using a fan for winter months?
 
iMi said:
Even with temperature variation, the chameleon should be able to thermoregulate as long as the enclosure is tall enough. Temperatures also fluctuate in their natural setting and should not be a big concern as long as it doesn't get too hot or too cold.

I think a thermostat will work either way. Maybe consider using a fan for winter months?
Click to expand...
Yeah I am getting an 8 degree jump though from 85 to 93 when our heat turns on. We have two stories so the downstairs stays cooler. Trying to maintain the house while trying to make sure Beman is not boiling is stressful and I am constantly adjusting. Then I freak if I have to leave because of the potential for a temp jump. Also even when his kicks up and is too hot with him gapping he will just sit there and deal rather then moving. I have a four foot tall enclosure sitting on a cabinet... But his basking area is about 18 inches from the ceiling so that is where all the hot air sits. I would rather not use fans because I do not want the extra breeze in his enclosure causing it to dry out because then I have to deal with humidity issues as well.

But there are a few different types of thermostats that will work for my set up and I was hoping others that have them might be able to assist with what is better since this is an area that I am not familiar with.
 
Beman said:
So any favorites out there? What do we think on the ones I added in my first two posts?
Click to expand...
Yes, plug into a timer, plug the light into the stat. Adjust your temps on the dial (or LCD) and check with whatever you use. (I use digital thermometer/hydrometers). Once set and you're happy with temps over a few days, you can almost forget about it. If the room temp drops for example, the stat will give the correct heat output to maintain your target temp (up to the max the light can do of course).

I love the higher end ones BUT, I don't have pockets deep enough for a 4X price increase to do the same job.

There is even one that can do 4 enclosures from a single unit using 4 probes. It's great! It's expensive!

These are what I have now on all my enclosures;

1 of these https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/habistat-dimming-thermostat/

3 of these
https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/microclimate-b1-dimmer-thermostat/

2 of these
https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/habistat-dimming-day-night-built-in-night-eye-classic/

I want 6 of these lol
https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/habistat-digital-dimming-thermostat-day-night-and-timer/

Of the 2 you posted, my choice would be the Herpstat but both are well up to the task.
 
SharpShooter said:
Yes, plug into a timer, plug the light into the stat. Adjust your temps on the dial (or LCD) and check with whatever you use. (I use digital thermometer/hydrometers). Once set and you're happy with temps over a few days, you can almost forget about it. If the room temp drops for example, the stat will give the correct heat output to maintain your target temp (up to the max the light can do of course).

I love the higher end ones BUT, I don't have pockets deep enough for a 4X price increase to do the same job.

There is even one that can do 4 enclosures from a single unit using 4 probes. It's great! It's expensive!

These are what I have now on all my enclosures;

1 of these https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/habistat-dimming-thermostat/

3 of these
https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/microclimate-b1-dimmer-thermostat/

2 of these
https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/habistat-dimming-day-night-built-in-night-eye-classic/

I want 6 of these lol
https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/habistat-digital-dimming-thermostat-day-night-and-timer/
Click to expand...

LOL ok great I can budget in about $125ish for the thermostat. Out of these three which would you buy?

http://www.reptilesupplyco.com/whol...s-timers/2793-herpstat-1-spyder-robotics.html
or http://www.reptilesupplyco.com/whol...-thermostat-ve-200d-vivarium-electronics.html
or http://www.reptilesupplyco.com/whol...ts-timers/3127-thermostat-600w-exo-terra.html
 
Beman said:
LOL ok great I can budget in about $125ish for the thermostat. Out of these three which would you buy?

http://www.reptilesupplyco.com/whol...s-timers/2793-herpstat-1-spyder-robotics.html
or http://www.reptilesupplyco.com/whol...-thermostat-ve-200d-vivarium-electronics.html
or http://www.reptilesupplyco.com/whol...ts-timers/3127-thermostat-600w-exo-terra.html
Click to expand...
I'd still go with Herpstat. The Exo terra has a night feature BUT you don't want the lights coming on if the stat kicks in. Great for a ceramic heat emitter though.
 
SharpShooter said:
I'd still go with Herpstat. The Exo terra has a night feature BUT you don't want the lights coming on if the stat kicks in. Great for a ceramic heat emitter though.
Click to expand...
Ok wonderful thank you! And thank you for posting about it. This will give me sooooooo much piece of mind knowing that it will stay exactly where I need it to! I actually just turned down a work trip in April because I knew my family would not be able to stay on top of the heat lamp dimming. So this is so useful for me and will keep him safe which is my number one priority!
 
Beman said:
@SharpShooter your feedback got me thinking so I am going to spend a little extra and get this one since it can run two lights. Just in case I ever get a second cham it is worth it to spend an extra 60 then to have to spend another 140. lol
http://www.reptilesupplyco.com/whol...s-timers/2792-herpstat-2-spyder-robotics.html
Click to expand...
Cracking bit of kit. Just check you get 2 probes with it. I've seen the Herpstat 6 sold over here but EXTRA probes need to be bought separately as it only ships with 1 as standard. At least what I've seen in the UK.
 
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