Environmental control is one of the most important factors involved with successfully keeping animals in captivity.  Temperature and humidity are probably the 2 most important and these should be monitored regularly in different areas of the animals home, and then maintained to within acceptable parameters.

There are many different types of equipment used for environmental monitoring and control and each has its own specific advantages and disadvantages.

Thermometers   

Thermometers are used to measure temperature.  They do not perform any control function but show you if an area is too hot or too cold.

Digital Thermometers 

These are battery operated and provide an accurate digital display of the temperature.  These are probably the most accurate thermometers available but are also the most expensive.  They come in a variety of models.

Dial Thermometers

These have a round face, like a clock with an indicator that moves to show the current temperature.  Some deluxe models also record the maximum and minimum temperatures.  Generally these types of thermometer are not quite as accurate as the electronic digital models but they are cheaper and this makes them the most popular type used.

Strip Thermometers

Strip thermometers are the cheapest of the thermometers.  They consist of a temperature sensitive strip which is stuck to the side of the vivarium.  The strip is marked with a series of temperature ranges,  as the temperatures changes the strip changes colour and the range that includes the current temperature is highlighted.  These types of thermometer are the least accurate and versatile.

Alcohol Thermometers

Comparable in price to the strip type thermometers these "blue line" alcohol thermometers are designed for use in water.  They can however also be used in the vivarium but are breakable so care needs to be taken when positioning them. 

Humidity Gauges

These are available as Dial or Strip types which operate in the same way as the thermometers detailed above.  The strip thermometers are ruined if the come into contact with liquid water and this restricts there use to dry environments.  There are also digital humidity gauges which are the most accurate but they are only available in the combination units (see below)

Thermometer/Humidity Gauge Combinations

The most common formats for these combinations are as dials.  

The T-Rex and 4 Paws units are not a combined unit as such but a Thermometer and Humidity gauge on a single card which is then offered at a slightly lower price than buying the two separately.  The Zoo Med and ESU units are a single combined unit and the ESU one even has a glow-in-the-dark face, just in case you get the urge to check your vivariums parameter n the middle of the night without turning the light on.  4 Paws do provide a Temperature/Humidity Strip combination card. 

In the digital thermometer range there are 2 units available.  Both detect temperature and humidity and record maximum and minimum values.  One unit has no probe, while the other also has temperature detection at a remote probe.  Neither unit will detect humidity levels at a probe.

Thermostats

A thermostat is a devise that controls a heater to maintain a set temperature.  Different types of thermostats are designed to control specific types of heater and it is essential that the correct thermostat is selected.

There are several different ranges of thermostats on the market but we only stock the range manufactured by Habistat.  This is primarily due to their proven track record of accuracy and reliability (we have used them in our insect production units and livestock room for many years) and also the fact that they are the only manufacturer to offer a 5 year guarantee.   

        This is a simple ON/OFF switching stat that can be used to control heat mats.  Its has a 100 w maximum rating.

        Again this is a simple ON/OFF switching stat. that can be used to control a variety of heaters.  It has a maximum rating of 300w and comes in a single or Twin Channel unit.

        These Thermostats are rated at a maximum of 600w.  They are designed to be used with light bulbs.  Rather than switching the bulbs on and off,  and creating a disco effect,  they gradually turn the bulb up and down.  This gives more accurate temperature control and also reduces stress from light bulbs constantly switching on and off.

    These thermostats are also rated at 600w.  They do not switch on or off but instead send power to the heater in pulses.  The cooler the air temperature in relation to the set temperature of the thermostat then the more power is pulsed to the heater to warm it up.  These thermostats are designed for heating elements that do "store" heat within them, mainly they are used with ceramic heaters.   

Both the Dimming and Pulse Proportional Thermostats are also available in models that will automatically drop the temperatures during the night.  These units require an additional power supply and the use of a time clock or other switch. 

Switches and Controllers

There are a variety of controllers available that can be used to switch heating and lighting on and off.  They range from simple timers to electronic switches that respond to environmental cues.

        This will switch the power an and off by detecting the level of light.  It is designed for use with the Habistat Day/Night model Pulse Proportional and Dimming Thermostats.

        These units switch power on and off in response to ambient light levels.  The Sun Switch turn on during the day and the moon switch turn on during the night.  Both units are fitted with 3 pin 13amp socket adaptors and will switch a maximum of 600w

        This sophisticated unit also switches in response to ambient light levels.  It is a combined unit with the two switches in one convenient unit

        The mini fan is a miniature fan  that can be used to ventilate a vivarium with fresh air (or to expel stale air).  It is very quiet and runs from a 12v DC adaptor which is supplied.  The cool control can be used to control the fan if you do not want it to ruin all of the time.  it will switch the fan on when the temperature reaches a certain point.

        These are simple switches which turn the power on and off at a particular time each day.

Waterfalls, Drippers and Foggers

Waterfalls

Having moving water in an area will greatly increase the humidity by evaporation from the water surface.  The Zoo Med Rept Rapids Waterfall is the most popular as it is light, durable and comes with a pump.  The Granite Mountain units are more expensive but as they are produced from plastic they are easy to clean and harder to damage.  This makes them more suitable for larger animals.

Drippers

Drippers are used to provide drinking water for those animals that will not usually drink from a water bowl, such as Chameleons and Anoles.  They are placed in the top of the vivarium and the water then slowly drips out over a period of several hours.  As the water drips out it does need to go somewhere so there needs to be a receptacle for it to drip into, or the substrate must be absorbent enough to hold the water.  Zoo Med produce the most popular drippers with the Little Dripper holding 2.3 Litres and the Big Dripper holding 3.9 litres.

Fogger

These ultra sonic foggers are electronic units that are immersed in water.  They use ultrasonic waves to vaporise the water and produce mist.

Pumps and Powerheads

You can use the various pumps and powerheads to pump water and make your own waterfalls or to filter and circulate the water in aquatic set ups.  The various models range from simple pumps to units with filters and aeration devices.