UTH not hot enough on inside of tub?

[Maymay]

The UTH itself gets hot enough because the thermostat probe I have on it says it's up to temp, but the probe I have measuring the inside of the tub isnt hot enough. It usually gets up to temp no problem, but since I've moved to my parents it hasn't been. I tried elevating the tub off the floor so it won't build up heat under there and trick the probe into thinking it's hotter than it is, but that didn't work. I don't get what's getting in the way of heating the bottom of the tub properly. I use newspaper as substrate. Anyone have any ideas? I could just turn up the heat a lot on the thermostat, but it's at 100 degrees now and the inside only gets up to around 85. I don't get it. Thanks for your help!

[PokeyTheNinja]

UTHs are not meant to warm the ambient air but to create a hot spot. Please put your UTH back to a safe temperature. If you need to warm your ambient, look at CHEs, RHPs, warming up the room, or a space heater. You can even insulate your tub.

[Maymay]

UTHs are not meant to warm the ambient air but to create a hot spot. Please put your UTH back to a safe temperature. If you need to warm your ambient, look at CHEs, RHPs, warming up the room, or a space heater. You can even insulate your tub.

I'm not using it to warm the ambient temperature. The probe is measuring the temperature of the basking spot, which is not getting warm enough.

[PokeyTheNinja]

Oh, I see. 100F is still fairly high and 85F is decent for the basking spot but could be a bit warmer. Is this the probe of the thermometer? They generally don't measure the direct heat either but the ambient.

[Maymay]

Oh, I see. 100F is still fairly high and 85F is decent for the basking spot but could be a bit warmer. Is this the probe of the thermometer? They generally don't measure the direct heat either but the ambient.

Yes, it is pretty high which is why wish the heat would translate to the bottom of the tub so I didn't have to turn it up so much! There is two probes, one from the thermostat taped to the bottom of the uth to regulate it's temp. The other one is a thermometer probe measuring the temp of the bottom of the tub on the inside, the basking spot. So you're saying this one may pick up the ambient temperature more than give an accurate reading of the actual basking temp, which is why it seems cold on the inside?

[PokeyTheNinja]

Yes, it is pretty high which is why wish the heat would translate to the bottom of the tub so I didn't have to turn it up so much! There is two probes, one from the thermostat taped to the bottom of the uth to regulate it's temp. The other one is a thermometer probe measuring the temp of the bottom of the tub on the inside, the basking spot. So you're saying this one may pick up the ambient temperature more than give an accurate reading of the actual basking temp, which is why it seems cold on the inside?

It could be. A thermometer gun is more accurate for direct spots and they aren't too costly. Most have them on hand just to get a better read or that's what they use instead of a thermometer with a probe. Not saying you should drop your money or that it's the cause but thermometer guns are quite nifty.

[Maymay]

It could be. A thermometer gun is more accurate for direct spots and they aren't too costly. Most have them on hand just to get a better read or that's what they use instead of a thermometer with a probe. Not saying you should drop your money or that it's the cause but thermometer guns are quite nifty.

Thank you, this is helpful. I'm sure my step dad has one lying around somewhere since he's a carpenter. I'll give it a try

[distaff]

In my experience, when measured with a temp gun, the glass floor of the tank is about 2F lower on the inside, so I set the T-stat regulating the UTH 2 degrees higher than I want. I measure the temp on the glass surface, under the bedding and in the spot normally under the warm hide.

While I have the usual thermometer probes set up, the temp gun is the only thermometer I trust. Skin surface temp at the palm of the hand is usually about 86F, so you can do a quick test with every use to assure yourself it is accurate.

[Maymay]

In my experience, when measured with a temp gun, the glass floor of the tank is about 2F lower on the inside, so I set the T-stat regulating the UTH 2 degrees higher than I want. I measure the temp on the glass surface, under the bedding and in the spot normally under the warm hide.

While I have the usual thermometer probes set up, the temp gun is the only thermometer I trust. Skin surface temp at the palm of the hand is usually about 86F, so you can do a quick test with every use to assure yourself it is accurate.

Thanks! This is good to know!