Where Does The Thermostat Probe Go?

Caprisaurus · 08-27-13, 11:22 PM

I searched and I only found a few irrelevant threads.

I finally got everything together for the enclosure and I'm just wondering where to put the thermostat and thermometer probes. Also, what do I secure the probes with? I have a 10 gallon glass Zilla Critter Cage and I used foil tape to secure the UTH to the bottom of the tank. I'm using a 10-20 gallon Zoo Med UTH with a thermostat.

Also, unrelated but ... I set my thermostat to 84 and it is fluctuating between 80 and 86. Is it okay if it goes down to 80 once in a while? I guess it's better to be not warm enough then too hot?

I would really appreciate some help!

Cmwells90 · 08-27-13, 11:25 PM

I'd say put it in the warm hide, because this is the spot you are trying to effect the most. As for the temp change, if you are not using a proportional thermostat then your thermostat is turning on when the heat is low and off when it's too warm, so you'll get a good 2+/- because of this effect.

Mikoh4792 · 08-27-13, 11:40 PM

Dude... why do you make the same threads with the same questions that have been already answered?

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/elaph...g-up-tank.html

Cmwells90 · 08-27-13, 11:59 PM

He probably wanted more than one answer. But when the first answer is right then there's no reason saying it again....

Caprisaurus · 08-27-13, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Dude... why do you make the same threads with the same questions that have been already answered?

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/elaph...g-up-tank.html

Well, no offense but I wanted more then one or two answers. I appreciate your reply but I think you're the only one that replied on that thread.

Mikoh4792 · 08-28-13, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caprisaurus

Well, no offense but I wanted more then one or two answers. I appreciate your reply but I think you're the only one that replied on that thread.

You can just continue on that thread.

Caprisaurus · 08-28-13, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmwells90

He probably wanted more than one answer. But when the first answer is right then there's no reason saying it again....

The way I make sure it's right is by having multiple, hopefully experienced people, say the same thing. I've seen tons of conflicting answers and I just want to know what's right and what's wrong once and for all.

Even if I have the thermostat probe on the outside I still want the thermometer probe on the inside to make sure the temps in there are good since that's where my snake will be. Also, you said inside the warm hide, but you didn't specify whether to put it above or under the substrate.

Another concern of mine is that I just checked the cool side of the tank with my thermometer and it's 79 degrees with the uth off! Is that too warm? I don't know what to do if it is. My AC is set to 73 but my room is the warmest in the house. Idk ...

Caprisaurus · 08-28-13, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

You can just continue on that thread.

Well, that thread's been going for a while and I've gotten no other replies. Plus I didn't specify the probe in the title and that's really my only concern now. I don't know why everyone else seems to be avoiding the question. It sucks because I want to make sure every little thing is just right. I've been scouring the internet and several forums and there are a lot of FAQs and care sheets but none of them seem to go into detail. I don't want to just guess and put my snake in danger ...

Mikoh4792 · 08-28-13, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caprisaurus

Even if I have the thermostat probe on the outside I still want the thermometer probe on the inside to make sure the temps in there are good since that's where my snake will be. Also, you said inside the warm hide, but you didn't specify whether to put it above or under the substrate.

If you are going to be using paper towel I would put it directly on the glass, since paper towel gets moved around by the snake and it can burrow underneath. When using loose substrate, as mentioned before in your other thread I like to put it under the hide on top of the substrate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caprisaurus

Another concern of mine is that I just checked the cool side of the tank with my thermometer and it's 79 degrees with the uth off! Is that too warm? I don't know what to do if it is. My AC is set to 73 but my room is the warmest in the house. Idk ...

I would say it's fine, especially for day time temps. You can always choose to give your snake a night drop. Set the UTH to a lower temp at night and you should see your cool side temperature drop as well.

infernalis · 08-28-13, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Dude... why do you make the same threads with the same questions that have been already answered?

Let forum management worry about such things, please.

Cmwells90 · 08-28-13, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caprisaurus

Also, you said inside the warm hide, but you didn't specify whether to put it above or under the substrate.

If you're using paper towels, on the glass. Once you use a substrate I would say put in on the top of the substrate, because most likely this is where the snake will be basking, and it can move lower if it needs to.

formica · 08-28-13, 03:25 AM

yes probe on the warm side, I place mine directly on the glass next to the heat mat, alongside the thermometer probe, underneath the substrate - underneath because allot of reptiles like to burrow and get right next to the heat source, securing it could be as simple as a piece of flat stone on the wire (not on the probe itself), be creative, avoid tape inside the enclosure

use the thermometer to work out the adjustments needed on the thermostat, ignoring the markings on the dial of the thermostat, which are usually not very accurate or calibrated properly

ErikBush97 · 08-28-13, 04:00 AM

I have four UTH'S. Three are under my enclosures, one is out in the open, unused. I put my probe on the unused one.

Mikoh4792 · 08-28-13, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErikBush97

I have four UTH'S. Three are under my enclosures, one is out in the open, unused. I put my probe on the unused one.

You mean you run four UTH's on one probe? That is not a good idea. If the one with the probe fails it will cause the other UTH's to heat up which could end up killing your animals.

ErikBush97 · 08-28-13, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

You mean you run four UTH's on one probe? That is not a good idea. If the one with the probe fails it will cause the other UTH's to heat up which could end up killing your animals.

It's only temporary. I have a power strip plugged in where the UTH should be on my Thermo, and I have my UTH's plugged into my power strip. It works until the 7th when I can buy a few more Thermostats.