| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Spugy |
Posted - 18/09/2012 : 03:34:27
I am feeling a little dumb :P I am checking out online equipment since good quality stuff (i.e. non-exo-terra) seems unavailable locally. Checked out Reptile Basics and ZooMed and found this:
http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/EntryDetail.php?EntryID=260&DatabaseID=2&SearchID=1&SearchContext=YTo3OntzOjg6IlNlYXJjaElEIjtzOjE6IjEiO3M6MTA6IkRhdGFiYXNlSUQiO3M6MToiMiI7czo3OiJLZXl3b3JkIjtzOjI1OiJXYXRlciBBY2Nlc3Nvcmllcy9GaWx0ZXJzIjtzOjE1OiJQcm9kdWN0Q2F0ZWdvcnkiO3M6MTc6IldhdGVyIEFjY2Vzc29yaWVzIjtzOjc6IkhlYWRpbmciO3M6OToiVGVycmFyaXVtIjtzOjg6IlNlYXJjaF94IjtzOjE6IjAiO3M6ODoiU2VhcmNoX3kiO3M6MToiMCI7fQ==
(Sorry about the long link). Just wonder if anyone has had experience with this. If not, any recommendations? I can't find humidity controls on Reptile Basics' site (these are thermometers as far as I can tell:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ranco/johnson-controls/ ). I would prefer to stay within a budget but also recognize that sometimes paying extra for quality equipment is preferable to buying something that just breaks (and is certainly better than something that malfunctions).
Also curious about people's experience with thermostats. Didn't realize there were such things and want to get one/some for my other reptiles. Not absolutely clear on how they work. Although you can purchase ones that allow for a number of things to be plugged into a thermostat, ideally, you need one per enclosure, right? The probe has to rest where the animal will be to get an accurate read on temperature. I think this might explain why one of my UTH pads gets ridiculously hot... it is probably designed for tropical/rainforest creatures... in this case it would have to provide heat through the damp substrate. (hmmm, I wonder how deep orchid bark or cypress mulch or other substrate should be?)
I hope I have not been firing off too many questions :D
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| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Snakesitter |
Posted - 30/11/2012 : 21:01:33
Nice. ;-)
I measure humidity using a probe attached to my computer. Not cheap, but accurate. You can get a relatively inexpensive digital combo thermometer/hygrometer on-line, a friend recommended them. Unfortunately I can't recall which brand...or friend! So long as you can see condensation on the hide walls, though, your moisture levels should be fine. |
| Spugy |
Posted - 30/11/2012 : 02:31:52
Well I ended up getting some ZooMed Rheostats, which are essentially dimmers. Work brilliantly, though. Helps me regulate all my UTH and my reptiles seem much happier having the option of a fair amount of warmth. Also, been colder lately, so if the ambient temperature drops (as it has) I just turn up the dials.
Hygrometers are a whole other issue,though. What do people use? I have a $20 thermometer/hygrometer that seems accurate but the battery unity sits in the tank. Bad idea at 90% humidity, I would think. I think a probe is a much better idea. Affordability is a consideration as well. I asked the local breeder and he stated that he just used sphagnum moss. Not sure, being inexperienced, that I trust the humidity to be high enough.... what do the rest of you use? |
| Snakesitter |
Posted - 19/09/2012 : 23:58:18
I have no experience with any thermostats other than Ranco (moderately priced model) and Herpstats (top of the line models). The main two types are "on/off" (like the Ranco) and "proportional" (like the Herpstat). The former turns the heating element completely off when temps hit a certain level, and then back on once they fall below it. The latter reduces the power to the heating element when temps hit a certain level, and increases it again if the temps fall too low. Both types have their adherents.
Yes, you will need one controlled outlet per heating element.
If you use undercage heating options, the probe should be placed between the heating element and the viv bottom. You will then take temps on the inside of the viv just above the probe to "calibrate" the thermostat. You will often find the inside temp is several degrees below what the probe reads.
I monitor humidity, but do not automate its control (yet).
If you have any other questions, please let us know! |
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