Do i REALLY need a thermostat?

[Morgoth]

No no no no NO.

For the final time, re-read my posts and you will see all I have said, all along, is stats are not ESSENTIAL. I thought I made that abundantly clear. If you feel you need a stat, or if your viv is going to be subject to some external fluctuations in temperature, a stat is recommended. If its not, then in my opinion you can run a viv fine without one, but even then if you want one, why would I advise against one?

[Ssthisto]

The entire mat is now reading over 95 degrees, with spot readings (mostly at the centre of the mat) up to 109 degrees.

It's only been on for an hour and twenty minutes.

This is without the thermal blocking properties of substrate - I wonder what happens if I put a faunarium on top of it, with some bark chip - since that's how a mat of this size is generally going to be used? We'll try that when the mat stops rising in temperature - maybe an hour or two?

[Meko]

Originally Posted by Morgoth

No no no no NO.

For the final time, re-read my posts and you will see all I have said, all along, is stats are not ESSENTIAL. I thought I made that abundantly clear. If you feel you need a stat, or if your viv is going to be subject to some external fluctuations in temperature, a stat is recommended. If its not, then in my opinion you can run a viv fine without one, but even then if you want one, why would I advise against one?

you also said that a 4ft 60watt heat mat maxes out at 86f without a stat

[Ssthisto]

This particular little seven-watt matt has maxed out at about 109 degrees fahrenheit - only twenty or so degrees too hot for a corn snake. Oddly enough the surrounding areas on the worktop are room temperature - there's no gradient between "twenty degrees too hot for my corn snake" and "ten degrees too cold".

I've now put an Exo-terra faunarium on top of the mat with a layer of chippings deep enough so I can't see the bottom of the faunarium (probably half a centimetre or so).

The "I just put it down" reading is 67 degrees surface temperature.

[Ssthisto]

Well, now the faunarium's been there for almost an hour. The top of the chippings is 85 degrees. The bottom of the faunarium has areas that are 102 degrees... and my corns always seem to spend their time IN the chippings, not on them. They always seem to shove the chippings out of the way.

[Morgoth]

Originally Posted by Meko

you also said that a 4ft 60watt heat mat maxes out at 86f without a stat

Yes I did, mine just has, today when I tested it (read above). If you don't believe me then its only you who is missing out. I do not require your belief.

[Lynne]

i really do wish you would get some stats morgoth, for the sake of your snakes!!!!

[Morgoth]

My snakes are fine, I can assure you. I understand that stats have always been considered the norm for alot of verteran reptile keepers, yet I have only ever had one to heat my iguana enclusure attached onto a 4 foot ceramic heater. I understand some of you want stats for the 'peace of mind' side of things, and I understand recommending them to novices. Yet I've run over 30 vivs over the past decade without any.

Conclusion - if you feel you need to use stats, by all means do, I advise them if you don't feel comfortable providing a stable temperature without one. And recommend them to novices. Just please do not preach that they are absolutely essential in these threads.

[Caz]

I've seen enough snakes with burns caused by unregualed mats to KNOW they are essential; along with proper placement of the heat mat in the viv and proper positioning of the probe.
But thankyou for you input Morgoth.

[Morgoth]

Originally Posted by Caz

But thankyou for you input Morgoth.

No problemo