Is there a reliable day/night thermostat?

[britsip]

Hey all,

I'm hoping to get even more help... I'm trying to find a reliable thermostat for my CHE that is programmable with different day and night time temperatures. As I plan on getting a Golden Greek, I need to keep nighttime temps up but lower than daytime. Is there a thermostat that you would recommend for controlling these time and temperature variances?
Side question: Is it alright to use a CHE for the basking spot? I'm hoping to have one CHE for the basking area and nighttime heat.

 

[G-stars]

Hey all,

I'm hoping to get even more help... I'm trying to find a reliable thermostat for my CHE that is programmable with different day and night time temperatures. As I plan on getting a Golden Greek, I need to keep nighttime temps up but lower than daytime. Is there a thermostat that you would recommend for controlling these time and temperature variances?
Side question: Is it alright to use a CHE for the basking spot? I'm hoping to have one CHE for the basking area and nighttime heat.

This is what I do and it works great for me. This will work if you have a closed chamber. Might be harder with an open enclosure to maintain. Or a higher electric bill.

1. Put a flood bulb on a timer. I do 12 hours. So from 7am to 7pm. Depending how big your enclosure and how many tortoises are sharing it will determine how many you need. This keeps my ambient Heat between 85-95F depending on the time of year. Basking spot is 95-100f.

2. Flood bulbs don't provide UVB. Make sure you provide it. Mine are out in the sun often enough to not need to provide artificial UVB.

3. I put my CHE's on a thermostat. Set at 70-80F depending on species and if they are adults or hatchlings. The Thermostat only turns on at night because it's warmer than this during the day.

4. I don't recommend CHE's to be used as a basking spot.

 

[britsip]

Thanks for your help!! But why are CHE's not recommended for a basking spot? I'm totally okay with following that advice, but I enjoy understanding the why's.

 

[Tom]

Thanks for your help!! But why are CHE's not recommended for a basking spot? I'm totally okay with following that advice, but I enjoy understanding the why's.

An indoor basking area is supposed to simulate the sun. They associate light with warmth.

Some tortoises figure it out and it works, but its best to use a lightbulb for basking.

 

[keepergale]

Not cheap but Helix makes thermostats and controllers with nite drop features.

 

[Alexio]

I use vavarium electronic thermostats they have an additional probe and settings for night drop they sell a cheaper on off model which I use and love, and a more expensive pulse proportional thermostat as well which can keep a constant temperature.

 

[britsip]

Thanks so much for all your help, everybody! I'll check out both brands and see what seems to work. I'll also use a light bulb for the basking spot.