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FlexWatt & Thermostats

Chris Steele

Chris Steele

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Where would be my best bet price/quality wise to buy heat tape? Thermostat?

Also, what type of thermometer/barometers does everyone use? I have a lot, but I am not confident in them, most of them give me different readings than the others.
 
Go with flexwatt from Reptile Basics (www.reptilebasics.com). Rich is an awesome guy and ships out very quickly. If you are looking for a Helix or a less expensive non proportional stat, he sells those as well. For Herpstat, go directly to Dion at Spyder Robotics (www.spyderrobotics.com). He is another super guy with a great quality product!

For thermometers, I use the Accurite brand sold at Walmart. It also measures the humidity level as well.

Jamie
 
chris,if you want to try one stop shopping i........

..........recommend the bean farm,they have everything your looking for plus they are great folks to work with.have fun.TWH
 
I have used Matt at MGReptiles. He will not only price match any competitor but will beat their prices! He is one of Fauna's highest rated sellers and you can get everything from him. I also use the Accurites from Walmart as it will give you both cage temps as well as ambient room temps. I would also invest in a good infrared gun ($25) to spot check your cages etc.

Griz
 
Spot check them for what? Sorry I've never heard of using an infared gun for anything.

What exactly does MGM consider competition? Just online herp stores?

Thanks for all of the help guys, I think I will go with walmart for accurite, MGM for tape, and local electrical supply for thermostat.
 
Chris Steele said:
Spot check them for what? Sorry I've never heard of using an infared gun for anything.

What exactly does MGM consider competition? Just online herp stores?

Thanks for all of the help guys, I think I will go with walmart for accurite, MGM for tape, and local electrical supply for thermostat.
Click to expand...

Anyone online, I do believe.

I use my infrared gun if I want to check a specific hot spot in the cage, check skin temps on my animals to see if they possible are gravid etc. Heck, I have even used it to pester my dog (there's a laser on it). That is one of my most useful tools. You don't have to reach into the cage to check temps. Works like a charm.

I would get your thermostat from Matt as well. It will come prewired and ready to install. Plus, by the time you put one together yourself you will have already spent more. Good luck!

Griz
 
Oh, I do electrical work so I've got the equipment and knowledge, plus I get a contractor discount at the supply store.

That infrared gun sounds nice. I believe I might have found something I want for Christmas. Did you get it at walmart or from Matt?
 
You can get the temp gun from a variety of places - it's made by pro exotics, and sold by LLLreptile.com (that's where I got mine, well at a reptile show though) and BigAppleHerp.com to name a couple. Best price you'll find for a temp gun, though I wish it were bigger so I wouldn't lose it so easily.
 
I should say - the cheapest ($25) is made by Pro Exotics. You can buy a more expensive Raytek one for between $65 and $85 at auto parts stores (people use them to check engine temperatures). The $25 one does not have a laser target like the more expensive ones do, and you have to put it within an inch or so of the spot you want to check. I like it though.
 
Interesting Lauren. I paid $25 for mine from eBay and it has the laser on it. I have tested temps at 1 inch and at closer to 18 inches without any real variation. I believe my is a PE-2.

Griz
 
Way to make Lauren feel bad Griz! Haha, im just kidding. I didn't understand what you are saying there, you can measure temp at 18"?

Also, wouldn't the air in the cage be a different temp from the walls or floor? Isn't the air temp just as important as the floor??

To help me understand, what temp should the air be in a cornsnake cage (not the hotspot)? the floor? snake body temp?
 
Thanks Bob!! Chris if you have the basic wiring skills and I am sure you do you can put together a ranco or johnsons with ease. This will also let you pik and choose which components you want, like a fancy surge protector or 500' power cord..lol Shoot me an email if ys need any help,
-Matt
 
You can get a humidity gauge seperate or you can use one with a thmrometer just as a backup.
 
I like the Acurite Brand mentioned earlier. They offer a unit that gives you two air temps and the humidity all at the same time in the same unit for around $12. Best thing it is is local and you don't have to pay for or wait for shipping. (They are pretty tough too, I've had them fall(get drug into) water bowls and they still work great.) And that is not in the place of a thermostat that is supplemental to a thermostat.
 
Aww, Griz! I'm jealous. But mine's a PE-1, bought new at a reptile show, so full retail price. I'm sure eBay does have better deals (that's usually the way I buy things) - but had to get SOMETHING at that show since I had a couple of new "friends" to monitor on the way home. :) No fancy lazzzzers for me yet.
 
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