Thermostat?

[azmodane]

I've been called a tight wad before and if I can save $5.00 then sweet. Does anyone know if it would be possible to rig up a household thermostat bought from like walmart and get it set up for my UTH? Because I've been looking and it's like $25.00+ per thermostat made for reptiles plus gotta add shipping and shipping time. I can get a T-stat at walmart for $12.00 and be set.... Suggestions or anyone know if it would work?

 

[mickeysmomma]

I would like to know about this too!

 

[keschete]

UTH - I am assuming that is an Under Tank Heater? Why would you need an Under Tank Heater? Unless I got the initials wrong.

There are new Flukers ceramic dome lights that now come with a dimmer switch built in. I have changed to those and I set them at the proper temps and plugged them and my UVB lights into a power strip on a timer (cheap christmas light timer from Lowes). This works great and I don't have to worry about heat or light. My tanks are set up so there is a heat/basking light on one end and two 20 inch flourescent Reptisun stips set at an angle over the cage.

That is all the heat your dragon needs unless it gets below 65 degrees in your house at night.

 

[azmodane]

I still have the same problem I have now though that if the temp jumps 10 degrees in the room then so does every other temp so would have to manually move the dimmer and also a uth works best with my tank and set up

 

[keschete]

I don't know if you realize that the under tank heaters can burn your beardie. It's certainly up to you how to take care of him, and how to set up his tank. I just wanted you to know that they can be dangerous and beardies sense heat and light through their 3rd eye on the top of their head, not so through their bellies. Best of luck to you.

 

[azmodane]

Couple things, first whats the difference between a light shining down and heating up the slate tile then the beardie coming and laying down on it or heating it from the bottom? atleast now it will be a more controlled temp, and the whole reason is mainly for my Ball Python which is in a completely different tank but same plan.

 

[keschete]

Couple things, first whats the difference between a light shining down and heating up the slate tile then the beardie coming and laying down on it or heating it from the bottom? atleast now it will be a more controlled temp, and the whole reason is mainly for my Ball Python which is in a completely different tank but same plan.

The light shinning down heats up the ambient air temperature better than a UTH. The other thing is, for the bottom to be hot enough for digestion, you need it to be about 100 degrees. If you use a UTH and the light is off or the beardie goes to sleep, sometimes they may not move off of the heat source, because their parietal eye or 3rd eye helps them regulate basking time. When they fall asleep they can get burned if they do not move off of a hot surface. They sleep like the dead. This is not the same for snakes.

If you are going to use a UTH for a beardie, I would only use it while the light is on. I would also measure your tank temps with a temperature gun and not just depend of a probe thermometer. I would make sure that you turn off the UTH at night as long as your house temps are at 65 degrees or higher. Beardies need to get a little cool at night. It is good for them because it is similar to what happens in their desert home. Also if you use a UTH, you want to make sure it is only under their basking area, because they need that temperature gradient.

Personally, I don't like the UTH products. But, that said, it is my opinion. Everyone does things differently and different things work for different people. Maybe I am just overly cautious. I am a nurse, so maybe a little paranoid about heating pads...hehehe. I don't want you to think I am criticizing you. I was giving you my thoughts. :mrgreen: I am probably a bit paranoid.... :mrgreen:

 

[ThyDemise]

im gonna bump this cuz im pretty curious myself about the original question. i know very little electrical and have tried to look up info but came to a dead end (or simply didnt grasp it, who knows)

 

[andrewlloyd]

You certainly can.
Im not electrical minded, but i bought one from Bunnings (hardware store down here in Australia) and got a mate to wire it for me, was half the price!
I ended up chaning it though as ovbiously when the thermostat kicked in, the lights would turn off, and it seemed to irritate Chace's eyes.

With a UTH you would be fine though..

 

[h2simms]

Yes, I have done it I will attach a toturial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QIoU645-YQ&feature=youtube_gdata

you were talking about a diy thermostat right?