Dimming Thermostat. Yes or No?

[xoEmileJonesox]

Hi Guys,

I am new to this so excuse me while I get used to this.
I am bringing home my leopard tortoise next week and trying to get there home sorted (vivarium). I have been told by many different places I need to get a dimming thermostat. Is this true and which is the best one to go for. I am really looking for some advice since this is my first tortoise. So any tips will be appreciated at this point.

Many Thanks

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome.

Read these first:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

Everything is explained in these, but definitely come back with all your questions.

BE AWARE: Most breeders do not start these tortoises correctly and a large percentage of them die weeks or months later because of it. Be sure you buy from the correct source! These threads will explain more:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/hatchling-failure-syndrome.23493/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-incubate-eggs-and-start-hatchlings.124266/

Most people come here after they've already made this mistake. You found us first and I hope we can help you avoid it.

 

[daniellenc]

You will need a thermostat to control your CHE or else it may very well get too hot. If you're using a powersun though those can't be hooked up to a thermostat from what I've read so it does depend on your heat source.

 

[jaizei]

You can use an on/off thermostat with an mvb or any other type of light, dimming thermostats or rheostats should only be used with certain types of lights or heat sources.

 

[daniellenc]

I have a Ranco thermostat which is an on/off. I heard because the MVB's are ballasted they could not be used?

 

[Ramsey]

Hi and welcome. Once you read the main setup docs above, most of your questions will be answered.

How big is your vivarium and is it all glass? I wonder if you will have issues with regulating the temps if it's small.

Once you get all the parameters set, your best bet would be to use a standard incandescent as the basking with a supplemental uvb strip light. Then you really only have to put your CHE on a thermostat.

You can certainly use an MVB, I do in one of my enclosures, but I like the first setup better. Plus, although it's possible to put a MVB on a single stage thermostat, I don't think they are designed to be flicking on and off like that.

 

[Reptilian Feline]

I'm getting a dimming thermostat to control my CHE for a smoother gradient. I was going to connect it to the basking light, but I'm rethinking the use of one based on what my little one does... I might go back to using the basking light, and if I do, that will need a dimming thermostat. I do have a UVB tube light for light and use the CHE for heat. Habistat makes plenty of thermostats and have a few that are dimming. They can be a bit expensive, so I'm having to save up some money first to get the one that suits my setup best.
I hope that's helpful... I'm still new at this.