Thermostats

[Sudhira]

The enclosure that I have for our Greek is about 5x3. It currently sits in the floor of my greenhouse. The floor is insulated and covered with substrate of coir, aspen shavings and some soil with sand mixed in.

So far I am doing ok heating at night with 2 CHE's and during the day T rex 100w.

The problem is, I am always having to go and check the temps. Our weather here changes from warm to fog rather quickly.

I am not very adept at working with electricity and the like. Would a thermostat automatically turn the CHE's off and on according to temps I program in? Would I need any additional equipment for that to happen?

I leave the UVB on all day, and if it gets too hot I elevate it. But still, when I am not home, I worry...

Any advice? Many thanks,

S

 

[bettinge]

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...e-1000-watt-electronic-thermostat-with-probe/

Here is a decent unit, most pet stores will carry something similar, but more expensive. Very easy to hook up....even a cave man could do it!

 

[Sudhira]

Excellent info! I will get both, this really helps thanks a heap!

 

[Livingstone]

The problem is, I am always having to go and check the temps. Our weather here changes from warm to fog rather quickly.

I am not very adept at working with electricity and the like. Would a thermostat automatically turn the CHE's off and on according to temps I program in? Would I need any additional equipment for that to happen?

I leave the UVB on all day, and if it gets too hot I elevate it. But still, when I am not home, I worry...

Any advice? Many thanks,

S

I firmly believe the best way to do it is to use two timers. You set one for the daylight hours hooked up to a MVB (mercury vapor bulb), you set the other to the night hours hooked up to a CHE aimed at the same spot. DO NOT overlap the times!!! Make sure the day and night timers dont overlap! Thats it!!!

Set up your MVB to maintain a steady temp all day, if its a 100 watt it should be 13 to 15 inches from the top of the substrate, at that distance the ground temp should hover at 98-100 degrees in the basking spot, this is also implying you have the AC on in the house and its set 76 degrees, since you are in a green house that has a widely varying temperature, you can by a rheostat that allows you shut off the power to the CHE. You CANNOT use a rheostat on an internally balasted mercury vapor bulb, the bulbs have a fifteen minute window after they are shut off before they will turn back on. You're day temps must be set by the distance of the bulbs from the ground!

Goodluck, its easier than it sounds.

 

[Sudhira]

The problem is, I am always having to go and check the temps. Our weather here changes from warm to fog rather quickly.

I am not very adept at working with electricity and the like. Would a thermostat automatically turn the CHE's off and on according to temps I program in? Would I need any additional equipment for that to happen?

I leave the UVB on all day, and if it gets too hot I elevate it. But still, when I am not home, I worry...

Any advice? Many thanks,

S

Oh my I hope it is easier than it sounds. Right now I am going in and out of that greenhouse a millions times a day when I have days off, and sending others in when I am working! I must simplify, this sounds doable!

Thanks!

I firmly believe the best way to do it is to use two timers. You set one for the daylight hours hooked up to a MVB (mercury vapor bulb), you set the other to the night hours hooked up to a CHE aimed at the same spot. DO NOT overlap the times!!! Make sure the day and night timers dont overlap! Thats it!!!

Set up your MVB to maintain a steady temp all day, if its a 100 watt it should be 13 to 15 inches from the top of the substrate, at that distance the ground temp should hover at 98-100 degrees in the basking spot, this is also implying you have the AC on in the house and its set 76 degrees, since you are in a green house that has a widely varying temperature, you can by a rheostat that allows you shut off the power to the CHE. You CANNOT use a rheostat on an internally balasted mercury vapor bulb, the bulbs have a fifteen minute window after they are shut off before they will turn back on. You're day temps must be set by the distance of the bulbs from the ground!

Goodluck, its easier than it sounds.

 

[Sudhira]

Three cheers for thermostats! Got it today from LLL! Have the 2 CHE's plugged in and set for 80 F overnight temp? Is that too hot?

Thanks millions

 

[tortoisenerd]

What's the day time temperature? For example, if your temperature gradient in the day time is 70s-95, I would have about 65-70 as the ambient night temperature. Where is the temperature measured? Right under the CHE, etc? Where is the tort tend to be in relation to where the temperature is measured? 80 is way too hot for night though. You want a temperature drop at night to a little below the day time low. This will best simulate their natural environment.

 

[Sudhira]

Goodie, yes, I will do that.

Thanks so