Gradient making up for high temperature in hotspot?

[threezero]

So I think I finally got the temperature in my rack sorted out. The top rack is maintaining a 88-90f hotspot and cold side around 80-81f.

Problem is this is not consistent on all four level. hotspot temperature goes up by about 1-2f the lower the level of rack (weird considering that heat is suppose to rise, I chalk this up to having the rack directly on the floor as I have ground heating)

The lower rack's hotspot can reach up to 96f-97f but the cold side is still maintain at around 81-82f.

the rack is not gonna be full for a long time but is this 6-7f hotspot variation through out the rack gonna be a problem in the future? Would having a good gradient make having the high hotspot temperature ok?

I'm now paranoia about temperature lol, 90f on the top rack still concerns me as the hotspot still doesn't feel that hot to my hand and I'm worry that my thermometer isn't that accurate and the bottom rack is actually over 100f at the hotspot.

[kitedemon]

No I would no suggest that a 96º hot spot is good enough. Racks are always a balance of averages they cannot hold pin point temps top to bottom with the way they are typically set up. Often the cause of the top being warmer is the way the flexwatt is run. If it travels bottom to top in one section each lower layer has across the bottom and one side heated but often the top is just the bottom. It depends on how it is set. Flexwatt varies by about 5% edge to edge and in its length so sometimes this is responsible and then a poor connection can change one level quite drastically.

[threezero]

I didn't wire the flexwatt myself bought it prewire is it something that I should bring up with the maker? The Top seems to lose alot of heat easily. I insulated just the top to get to the 90f hotspot ont he top without the insulation the hotspot would struggle to reach 87f and drops super fast when the doors are open etc. rest of the rack seems to not be affected so I have no insulation there.

With the insulation if I turn down the thermostat then I can bring the hotspot temp down in the bottom racks but the top rack would drop below 90f

[kitedemon]

Is the flexwatt one lengh or multiple?

[threezero]

its one length down the back. I relocated the probe a bit so it isn't right back the back of the tub its about 1/2 inch from the very end of the tub and the bottom rack is registering about 93f. top rack with the probe at that spot is about 88f.

So the 96f in the bottom is only at the very end and on the side of the tub that is the closest to the tape. Since the snake can thermoregulate can't they move just a little away from the heat if they so choose? cold side is still around 81f for all tubs

[kitedemon]

Typically the probe is place in the middle. I don't like having anything over 94º that the snake can touch for any length of time.

[threezero]

Alright I'm gonna redo the insulation on the top and turn down the thermostat see if it will work. The thermostat probe is on the second shelf