temperatue controlled rheostat

[doopie]

I am looking to control my temperature electrically or elctronically.

Is there a way to have a temperature controlled rheostat? I see that two companies sell them but not mention on the boards.

We keep our house 65 during the day and then 68 at night in the winter.
In the summer it is 73 by day and 76 at night.

I am designing my viv and I want to ensure I have the proper lights, heating, and basking areas setup prior to completing since it will be a usable piece of furniture for my sons room.

It looks like I am going to go with a Mega Ray on one side but will use a light bulb on the other side and do not want to mess with hunt and peck to find the right setup.

It will be 4'Wx2'Dx3' high with two tiers to give him/her some extra space to play in while we are not home.

Thanks,

Raymond

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

A rheostat will help with dimming light bulbs but not good to regulate temps.
spend the extra 15 or 20 dollars and get a thermostat.

 

[doopie]

I plan on buying an acu-rite to read the temperatures I was just wanting something that could help regulate during the day is there a way to hook up a thermostat and relays to a rheostat to help control or is the zoomed or zilla rheostat a quality product that it can be used.

Raymond

 

[GoFast]

...Nevermind...

 

[wes]

I plan on buying an acu-rite to read the temperatures I was just wanting something that could help regulate during the day is there a way to hook up a thermostat and relays to a rheostat to help control or is the zoomed or zilla rheostat a quality product that it can be used.

Raymond

Most electronic thermostats for reptiles have a relay in them and you wouldn't need a rheostat for your temperature control, unless you're looking to use the rheostat to adjust the light bulb so it is always on, but maybe dimmed somewhat, and the thermostat to shut it off if the temperature gets too high. If that's the case, you need the thermostat plugged into the wall, the rheostat plugged into the thermostat, and the light bulb plugged into the rheostat. By the way, I don't think the rheostat can be used on the MVB.

 

[doopie]

Okay now I understand. they make a thermostat that will operate a bulb on or off or some type of heating element like one of those ceramic heating elements. But not one that will regulate it as well. I would think turning on and off a light bulb would piss of the beardie being they like light.

Is there a recommended thermostat or better just to use a bulb and then play with the distances to determine which wattage.

Raymond

 

[wes]

Yes, I wouldn't use a thermostat to control a light bulb either, except as some sort of fail safe control. At this time of year, I don't have a problem with temperatures being too high, so I haven't had a need for any type of control. From what I've gathered, it seems most people use light to control the heat during the day, and they use a different wattage light or vary the distance to get the desired temperature. You have a very large enclosure, and unless the wood sides (I'm guessing you will have) will keep it warm, I don't think you'll have an issue with it getting too warm.

I just ordered a thermostat from Linen's and Things (of all places) a couple days ago for my new roach enclosure. They are somehow affiliated with Pet Mountain, but the shipping is cheaper. It seemed like both models had good reviews. One of the models looked like the same thing gardening supply stores have for seedlings.