Thermostats seem to be one area of reptile keeping that some people get confused about so hopefully the following information will prove helpful. First off thermostats do not provide heat they only control your heat source to maintain a temperature that you set into the unit. So if you are unable to attain the high temps you want when using a thermostat it is not a fault of the thermostat but suggests that your heat source is inadequate. You do not need a thermostat when providing heat to reptiles and there are a number of ways to control enclosure temps without a thermostat. Thermostats provide convenience and are a good back up to ensure that the temps in your enclosure stay within safe levels. Thermostats (or more correctly the temp sensor probe) are best placed close to the basking site and set at the highest basking temp that your pet needs. They will then control the high temp at the basking spot which will result in lower temps in the rest of the enclosure. The range of thermostats include: Dial wall thermostats - these are basic on off thermostats that may either have an inbuilt sensor or external temp sensor probe. They are relatively reliable but are not particularly accurate and you need an additional thermometer in order to see what temps are in order to ensure that the thermostat is maintaining temps correctly. Often people will mount these in the centre of the back wall of an enclosure which is not ideal but in that case temps need to be set high to maintain the correct temp at the basking site taking into account the fact that the temp at the thermostat will be lower than at the basking site. Dial electronic thermostats - have the advantage of being mobile with temp sensor probes so offer flexibility of use. While they are reliable they are not particularly accurate as there is a lag in temp control and you need an external thermometer to check temps. Digital switching on/off thermostats - these are the best choice for most reptile keepers as they provide accuracy and reliability as well as a digital screen to show that temps are correct. Some units come with additional timer sockets that can be great for controlling lighting and these units are an all in one thermostat, timer, and thermometer. Digital dimming thermostats - are the next step up from switching thermostats in price as they dim heat sources up and down rather than switching them on and off which can result in greater temp stability and a more natural situation when lighting is the heat source (the light source dims up and down similar to the sun disappearing behind clouds). Dimming thermostats seem to be more vulnerable to uneven electricity supplies however so are not the best choice for every situation. Pulse proportional thermostats - operate in a similar manner to dimming thermostats but are a step up again in price. They have their supporters but dimming thermostats can generally achieve the same aims. Whichever thermostat you choose there are a few key points to use: 1. Read the instructions of use - it is amazing how many people complain about problems of use with thermostats that stem from the user clearly not knowing how to use the product. 2. Always set up your heating and thermostats before you introduce any animals to an enclosure. Run all of your devices for a day or two to ensure that everything is set up properly and running well before introducing your animals. 3. We recommend choosing a heat source at the lowest possible wattage to achieve the correct temps in the shortest period of time. Unfortunately there are no rules that establish which is the best wattage for a new set up as every set up is different so you may need to experiment with a few different wattages until you establish what temps they provide. Choosing a wattage that is too high may result in the temps being achieved too quickly and the heat source being turned off more than it is on; choosing a wattage that is too low may result in you struggling to get the correct temps and your animal will become a slave to the heat source and be stuck basking all day trying to achieve its preferred body temp. 4. Probe placement is crucial to correct thermostat operation so think about this or ask for assistance from someone who may know more than yourself if you have any questions.
Posted on: Sat, 23 Nov 2013 06:28:20 +0000
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