thermostat theory...would it work?

[Rex322]

i had a idea, to keep temps perfect on both sides of the cage with a thermostat. from what i read, your suppose to put the thermostat probe on the warm side. what if i wer to get the temps to where they were suppose to be, then measure the temps in the middle of the cage, then stick the probe of the thermostat in the middle of the cage and set the temp to the temp read off the thermometer? get it?

[buck2003]

Thats a good theory!! The thing is though you dont need to put the probe in the middle cause regardless of where you put the prob your doing the same thing!

[Rex322]

not necasaroly, cuz tha old end culd fall 2 cold while the warm end could be hot enough

[buck2003]

But the idea of a stat is to prevent overheating! if the probes in the middle whats to stop the warm end getting to hot! Its best to prevent overheating as your animal can thermoregulate itself! If your cool end isnt quite warm enough move the bulb a bit. with the right vents etc the warm air should circulate nicley.
MOving the probe aint gonna change the temp, your just taking a reading from another place in viv!

	Cloaca is the posterior opening that serves as the only such opening for the intestinal, urinary, and (usually) genital tracts of certain animal species.All birds, reptiles, and amphibians possess this orifice, from which they excrete both urine and feces

[Rex322]

i dont think your getting it. wouldnt it work then, cause it would hold everything constant to equal the same amount of heat throughout the tank?

[buck2003]

I know what you mean, try it see if it works. As you say if your temps are already set? Just keep an eye on the temps while you try out this theory! Good luck with it.

[Rex322]

thanks

[Ptorgeaux]

I don't think that would work, because in the middle you would essentially be measuring the average temperature. If the cool side got warmer than normal, then the warm side would end up cooling down so you don't get a good gradient. If the cool side got colder, then the warm side would overcompensate by getting too hot. That's my theory anyway. I think it should be fine to use the thermo on just the warm side because as long as there's a gradient and it doesn't get too hot, it'll be ok.

[Creolin]

I agree with Ptorgeaux. I think the sides would continue to compensate for each other resulting in inappropriate temps on each side. Even if you are starting off with all the temps being correct, the temps will still be in a constant state of change. You can give it a try, but definitely don't put your reptile in until you are sure.

[eddie]

You really don't want to move the probe away from the heated side.
It can cause problems.
The farther away the probe is, the less accurate it will be for maintaining temps.

[justcage]

bad bad bad