All heat sources in a vivarium should be guarded with one exception heat mats which should be on a thermostat as a safety precaution.

ValueAquatics offer the Exo Terra Wire Light which is designed for their Ceramic Heat Emitters, Mercury vapour Lamps and incandescent spot bulbs. These wire lamps do not allow heat build up as in reflector type holders but the heat is lost sideways.

These holders should not be confused with bulb safety cages and should not be used with snakes and small lizards which might get through the wire to the heat source. Ideal for tortoise and larger lizards like iguanas and monitors. 

Comes with a ceramic Edison screw fitting
Two sizes up to 150watts & up to 250watts
6 foot of cable
Manual on/off switch

Mark…………

People are often confused with the different types of thermostat and their application, so I’ll try and explain them here,

A thermostat does two things, it keeps the Vivarium or terrarium at a specific temperature via a heating source, and it is a safety device ensuring that the heater does not overheat and possibly catch fire.

When keeping Reptiles, amphibians, tarantulas we need to keep them at species specific temperatures this is where thermostats come in. We heat the vivariums in basically 4 ways bulbs, ceramic heaters, heat mats (including tube heaters) and aquarium heaters for turtle’s salamanders and some other amphibians.

Aquarium heaters mostly come as a heater thermostat combined so we will not discuss this as our main interest is in the dry thermostats.

At ValueAquatics we offer Thermostats by Komodo and Habistat. They are both well known and respected companies and have been making high quality products for many years.
What type of thermostat do I need?

Simply it depends on the heating source so we will start with the most popular the Heat mat. ValueAquatics recommend the Habistat Mat Stat (maximum load 100w) or the Komodo (maximum load 300w) habitat thermostats. Both are typically an on/off switch type and will control the temperature of the heat mat. Both calibrated in Fahrenheit and Celsius. Setting them up is very simple just follow the instructions that come with them. With heat mats lay or fix the thermostat probe on top and in the centre of the heat mat then put the substrate on the top, no more than about an inch thick.

Also used with greenhouse tube heaters and cable heaters.  

For heating with bulbs (incandescent and infra red) use a Dimmer type thermostat, that is one that slowly turns up and down rather than on or off. Similar to the light dimmers or rheostats in your home. This prolongs the life of the bulbs element and controls the heating ability of bulbs much better.

The Habistat dimming thermostat comes in two types a standard dimming and a day/night dimming thermostat. The Habistat dimming thermostat requires a minimum load of 40watts but a maximum of 600watts /230volts.

The Habistat Day/Night Dimming Thermostat is the same as the standard dimming thermostat but will allow for a drop the night-time temperature when attached to a timer.

Heating with ceramics use Habistat pulse proportional thermostat this supplies the power to the ceramic heater in regulated pulses giving a very accurate temperature. They greatly improve the life of the element as the heater rarely needs to run at full power. Controls heaters up to 600watts

Calibrated in Fahrenheit and Celsius

Habistat also do a Habistat Day/Night pulse proportional thermostat works in the same way as the standard pulse proportional thermostat but will allow for a drop the night-time temperature when attached to a timer. 

ValueAquatics offer two other Habistat thermostats the Habistat Temperature Thermostat which is a standard on/off type for heat mats, tube heaters, cables with a maximum load of 300w.

The Habistat Twin Thermostat is simply two on/off thermostats in one box. It is perfect for controlling two heaters separately to give a specific temperature gradient… For heat mats, tube heaters, cables where the maximum load is 300w on each heater.

John

For heating with bulbs (incandescent and infra red) use the Dimmer type thermostat, that is one that slowly turns the temperature up and down rather than on or off. Similar to the light dimmers or rheostats in your home. This prolongs the life of the bulbs element and controls the heating ability of bulbs much better.

The Habistat dimming thermostat comes in two types a standard dimming and a day/night dimming thermostat. The Habistat dimming thermostat requires a minimum load of 40watts but a maximum of 600watts /230volts. The Habistat Day/Night Dimming Thermostat is the same as the standard dimming thermostat but will allow for a drop the night-time temperature when attached to a timer.

The most popular type of heating is with a Heat mat. ValueAquatics recommend the Habistat Mat Stat (maximum load 100w). It is typically an on/off switch type and will control the temperature of the heat mat very accurately. The Habistat mat stat is calibrated in Fahrenheit and Celsius. Setting them up is very simple just follow the instructions that come with them. With heat mats lay or fix the thermostat probe on top and in the centre of the heat mat then put the substrate on the top, no more than about an inch thick. Also used with greenhouse tube heaters and cable heaters.

ValueAquatics offer two other Habistat on/off thermostats the Habistat Temperature Thermostat which is a standard on/off type for heat mats, tube heaters, cables with a maximum load of 300w.

The Habistat Twin Thermostat is simply two on/off thermostats in one box. It is perfect for controlling two heaters separately to give a specific temperature gradient… For heat mats, tube heaters, cables where the maximum load is 300w on each heater.

Mark…….

Heating with ceramics use Habistat pulse proportional thermostat this supplies the power to the ceramic heater in regulated pulses giving a very accurate temperature. They greatly improve the life of the element as the heater rarely needs to run at full power.  Use  for Ceramic Heat Emitters and reptile radiators.

Controls heaters up to 600watts. Calibrated in Fahrenheit and Celsius

Habistat also do a Habistat Day/Night pulse proportional thermostat works in the same way as the standard pulse proportional thermostat but will allow for a drop the night-time temperature when attached to a timer.

The ADCH Reptile Ceramic Lamp Holder is designed as a bulb holder for fitting into a vivarium, specifically with reptiles in mind. It has a ceramic E27 bulb holder (screw in not bayonet) that is fixed on a metal bracket; the metal bracket is flexible so it can be angled to direct the lamp to a specific spot. It is easily fitted into the vivarium by screwing the bracket into position on a wooden surface (screws are not supplied). The ADCH unit can also be fixed to all glass Vivariums and Terrariums with sticky pads (not supplied) or glued in using Araldite. The ADCH unit comes complete with a good length power cable, on/off switch and fitted plug. It can be used with any screw fitting bulb up to 150w including the following which are available from Valueaquatics.

Arcadia          D3 Compact Reptile Lamp 23w
Exo Terra       Solar Glo Sun Lamp 125w & 160w
Exo Terra       Sun Glo Neodymium Daylight Lamp 15w to 100w,
Exo Terra       Night Glo Moonlight Lamp 15w to 150w
Exo Terra       Sun Glo Neodymium Daylight Basking Spot Lamp 50w to 150w
Exo Terra       Sun Glo Tight Beam Basking Spot Lamp 50w to 150w
Exo Terra       Repto Glo 2.0 Compact 13w & 26W
Exo Terra       Repto Glo 5.0 Compact  13w & 26w
Exo Terra       Repto Glo 10.0 Compact  13w & 26w
Exo Terra       Heat Glo Infra Red Lamp 50w to 150w
Exo Terra       Ceramic Heat Emitter Heat Wave Lamp 40w to 250w

SAFETY

All the above should be used with the appropriate thermostat.
Use a heat guard with any heat source.

John

Exo Terra Glo light reflectors are as you would expect from Exo Terra made to a very high standard. They are finished in black with a high gloss white interior to reflect both light heat and infra red heat. I have found these to be very sturdy, strong and value for money. The Glo Light can be used with the following types of lights and heating.
Spot bulbs to give a daylight hot basking spot with both the Exo Terra Neodymium and the tight beam spot lights and Exo Terra Night Glo that simulates moonlight for viewing those reptiles that like to be active at night.
They are perfect for the Repti Glo UV compacts in three different UV strengths 2.0, 5.0 and 10.0 in 13w & 26w.

Exo Terra ceramic heat emitters up to 150w, and the infra red Exo Terra infra red Heat Glo Lamps.

Exo Terra solar Glo mercury vapours lamps that give out both heat, UV A and UV B
They Can be used with most bulbs that are screw fitting.

They have a heat resistant porcelain socket and on/off switch

They are perfect for Incandescent, compact fluorescent, infra Red bulbs and ceramic heat emitters up to 150w

Included is a spring-loaded swivel clamp (You may need to put two screw in hooks into the vivarium or a block of wood to attach the clamp to)

ValueAquatics offer the Glo Light Reflectors in three sizes

PT2052 Small 14cm (5.5”)

PT2054 Medium 21cm (8.5”)

PT2056 Large 25cm (10”)

Clip on Guards will be available for these shortly

John

Heating a vivarium or Terrarium with bulbs at first sounds strange but bulbs are a good source of heating both the animal and Air by radiant heat. The first bulb I’ll mention are the Infra Red bulbs, ValueAquatics offer the Exo Terra Heat Glo Lamps which come in four sizes 50w, 75w, 100w and 150w. These bulbs work by emitting infra red heat waves, they also have a built in reflector to send the heat where it is needed. The red light that is emitted is not seen by the reptiles so can be used 24:7 as a heater.

Incandescent bulbs also radiate heat and light so can only be used for daylight hours. They only give out a small amount of UVA (Ultraviolet A) but no UVB (Ultraviolet B) which most reptiles require. So should not be used as the sole source of lighting except for most snakes and a few lizards. These tend to be used to create a basking spot in the vivarium. At ValueAquatics we offer the Exo Terra Sun glo tight beam heating spot lamp. The tight beam on these means that the heat can be directed exactly onto a rock giving a basking area. They can be combined with a heatmat, ceramic heat emitter or Infra red bulb to give 24 hour heating.

The Neodymium day basking lights give out a white light that simulates the full spectrum of daylight and can be used as the incandescent bulbs. At valueaquatics we offer the Komodo range of bulbs (50w,75w & 100w), Also the Exo Terra Sun Glo Neodymium daylight lamps, these are available in different bulb types the long torpedo shape 15w, 25w, 40w & 100w and the ordinary bulb type 60w, 100w & 150w. They also come as a spotlight type as in the Exo Terra Neodymium Daylight Basking Spot Lamp available as 50w, 75w, 100w and 150w.

Features:
Broad spectrum of daylight light
Creates hot spots for thermoregulation
Increases ambient temperature of the air
Can be combined wit other heat sources to give a 24 hours cycle

These bulbs do not give out any light in the UVB range.
Fitting these is easy with the ADCH Arcadia ceramic fitting and bracket or the Komodo Ceramic lamp fixture. These bulbs also need a bulb cage to stop the animal from climbing onto them and getting burnt. All these bulbs should be used with a Dimming thermostat similar to the Habistat Dimming or the Habistat Dimming day night model.

Finally the Mercury Vapour Lamps, more and more people are starting to use these as they give out UVA and UVB light and also heat so there is no need to supplement them with UVA/B bulbs or tubes. Most tortoise owners now use these, they can also be used for Bearded Dragons, Monitors and other large lizards.

ValueAquatics sell the Exo Terra Solar Glo which is available in 125w & 160w.  The Solar Glo is a full spectrum light with carefully tuned peaks to ensure appetite, activity, brilliant colours, and calcium absorption through Vitamin D3 production, and above all to prevent metabolic bone disease.

Features:
Optimal levels of UVA and UVB, visible light and heat in one bulb.
Self ballasted
Helps prevent metabolic bone disease
Increased UVB penetration distance (+30 cm) As these are self ballasted bulbs they do not work with a thermostat so you have to raise or lower the bulb in order to obtain the required basking temperatures.

These are best used with a reflector with a fitting cage.

Ceramic fittings like the Arcadia ADCH and Komodo ceramic lamp fitting should be used.

John

AHS stands for Advanced Heating System which is made by Microclimate. These excellent heater/Thermostats are fast catching on in the hobby. The heater thermostat all in one unit is very easy to install and has only one cable one plug.

These heater/stats are best positioned according to Microclimate is on the rear wall of the vivarium facing the glass doors 100mm from the substrate at one end of the vivarium. I have found that the best temperature gradient is achieved by mounting them on the side panel facing down the vivarium. They maintain an excellent temperature gradient for both snakes and lizards and can highly recommend them.  Microclimate state that they have a mechanical over temperature thermal cut out together with the electronic pulse proportional thermostat making them safe to use and giving peace of mind.  In my experience the outer case of the AHS can get very hot when they are working hard and possibly cause burns. The simple remedy is a heater guard Unfortunately ValueAquatics do not sell the guards at the moment. When I fix the AHS into a viv for the first time I set up the vivarium ready for the animal, set the thermostat setting and pre heat the vivarium with a hair dryer to about 10°F higher than required, then switch the AHS on and keep an eye on the temperature adjusting the setting on the AHS till I get the required temperatures. This stops the unit from working hard and the case does not get over hot. You will notice a smell from the unit but do not worry this is quite normal and come from the paint that is used on the unit. Microclimate State it is non toxic and not to worry, the smell goes away after a few hours.

A rough wattage against vivarium size.
Power of heater Enclosure size
100 watt up to 24’’ x  24’’ x  24’’ L. D.H
150 watt up to 36″ x  24’’ x   24’’ L. D.H
250 watt up to 48″ x  24’’ x  24’’ L. D.H
350 watt up to 60’’ x  24’’ x  24’’ L. D.H
500 watt up to 72’’ x  24’’ x  24’’ L. D.H

COMMON SENSE PRECAUTIONS

As with all electrical items care should be taken not to spill water on to the heater.
Ensure the sensor of the AHS does not come into contact with the outside wall of the vivarium as this will result in incorrect temperature readings.
Always set up the vivarium making sure that the temperature required is reached and has had time to settle before introducing any animals.
As with any heater be careful not to place anything in front of the grill as this will cause a safety hazard and will hamper the performance of the AHS.

John
www.ValueAquatics.co.uk

Heating a vivarium or Terrarium with bulbs at first sounds strange but bulbs are a good source of heating both the animal and Air by radiant heat. The first bulb I’ll mention are the Infra Red bulbs, ValueAquatics offer the Exo Terra Heat Glo Lamps which come in four sizes 50w, 75w, 100w and 150w. These bulbs work by emitting infra red heat waves, they also have a built in reflector to send the heat where it is needed. The red light that is emitted is not seen by the reptiles so can be used 24:7 as a heater.

Incandescent bulbs also radiate heat and light so can only be used for daylight hours. They only give out a small amount of UVA (Ultraviolet A) but no UVB (Ultraviolet B) which most reptiles require. So should not be used as the sole source of lighting except for most snakes and a few lizards. Therefore these tend to be used to create a basking spot in the vivarium At ValueAquatics we offer the Exo Terra Sun glo tight beam heating spot lamp. The tight beam on these means that the heat can be directed exactly onto a rock giving a basking area. They can be combined with a heatmat, ceramic heat emitter or Infra red bulb to give 24 hour heating.

The Neodymium day basking lights give out a white light that simulates the full spectrum of daylight and can be used as the incandescent bulbs. At valueaquatics we offer the Komodo range of bulbs (50w,75w & 100w), Also the Exo Terra Sun Glo Neodymium daylight lamps, these are available in different bulb types the long torpedo shape 15w, 25w, 40w & 100w and the ordinary bulb type 60w, 100w & 150w. They also come as a spotlight type as in the Exo Terra Neodymium Daylight Basking Spot Lamp available as 50w, 75w, 100w and 150w. These give;

A broad spectrum of daylight light
They create hot spots for thermoregulation
Increase the ambient air temperature
Can be combined with other heat sources to give a 24 hour cycle

These bulbs do not give out any light in the UVB range

Fitting these is easy with the ADCH Arcadia ceramic fitting and bracket or the Komodo Ceramic lamp fixture. These bulbs also need a bulb cage to stop the animal from climbing onto them and getting burnt. All these bulbs should be used with a Dimming thermostat similar to the Habistat Dimming or the Habistat Dimming day night model.

Lastly the Mercury Vapour Lamps more and more people are starting to use these as they give out UVA and UVB light and also heat so there is no need to supplement them with UVA/B bulbs or tubes. Most tortoise owners now use these and Bearded Dragons, Monitors and other large lizards. ValueAquatics offer the Exo Terra Solar Glo available in 125w & 160w.  The Solar Glo is a full spectrum light with carefully tuned peaks to ensure appetite, activity, brilliant colours, and calcium absorption through Vitamin D3 production, and above all to prevent metabolic bone disease. These give

Optimal levels of UVA and UVB, visible light and heat in one bulb.
They are self ballasted
Help prevent metabolic bone disease
Increased UVB penetration distance (+30 cm)

As these are self ballasted bulbs they do not work with a thermostat so you have to raise or lower the bulb in order to obtain the required basking temperatures. These are best used with a reflector with a fitting cage. Ceramic fittings like the Arcadia ADCH and Komodo ceramic lamp fitting should be used.

John

www.valueaquatics.co.uk