I've been contemplating the principle of using an Arduino board (Pinjohn, just stop read here ) , some temp diodes, and relays to make up a viv control unit. Before I throw myself at this (and it may have to wait until I have more time at the end of the hockey season) has anyone else already done/contemplated/given-up this?

The principles are pretty exciting and I think it would be cost effective in a multi-vivarium environment. The stats I us vary in price from £25 to £45 and each digital thermometer costs between £5 and £10, and timer plugs at around £10... so about £45 on control stuff for a viv. I reckon that an Arduino board and a few more components could control 4 vivs easily, and possibly 8 vivs - that's heating mat controlled, temp displayed and logged, and lighting on programmed timer. As an IT geek I'd also get the benefit of having full control over the functions. And I think I could build a 4 vivs system for about the same cost as the Lucky Reptile Thermocontrol II PRO that I use on just one of our vivs.

So, has anyone else looked at Arduino?