I'm hoping you guys can help with a temperature control issue.


I have a new VE-6 rack from Reptile Basics and a new Herpstat 2.


The probe is installed in the probe slot on the middle shelf and I'm still getting quite a bit of temperature swing.


Unlike the picture on the Reptile Basics website, the probe slot does not allow me to mount the probe on the heat tape. Instead, the slot ends just shy of the heat tape so that the end of the probe is almost, but not quite to the heat tape. The thermometer probe is placed in an empty tub over the heat tape. There is no substrate in the tub.


When I had the maximum power set to 100% I was getting swings of up to 8 degrees. I've lowered the power until the temperature never reaches set point (90 degrees) and then increased it again until it does. Power is presently at 70% and I'm getting swings of about two degrees. I was actually getting close to this level of swing even when the power was too low to reach set point.


I've tried switching out probes, changing the slot the probe is installed in, and changing which outlet controls the heat tape with little difference.


Now, the rack is presently in my living room which has an ambient temperature of 68-70 degrees. So I'm figuring this may be part of the problem, but I'm not sure.


The reptile room where the rack will ultimately go has an ambient temperature of 75-80 degrees depending on time of day and location in the room.


Any thoughts?