How to place my thermostat probes?

[TheKingInYellow]

I have two 8x8 4w UTHs that I will be using in a glass aquarium, and I have two ZooMed dial-style thermostats to run them. I'm wondering exactly how to secure my thermostat probes?

I will be placing them inside the enclosure, on top of the UTHs. I will place them under the substrate which will be bark on top of paper towels. How do I secure them and their wires so that they will stay put? I also have to be able to remove them for cleaning...

I guess I should ask if this is even the right location to place them

Much obliged for your help!

[ChicaPiton519]

i just used electrical tape, over the probe and the wire...
lol

[TheKingInYellow]

I was just reading about the 'foil tape on the heating element' method. That might work better for me.

Is there a special kind of foil tape? Is it the same foil tape you would use for duct work?

[ChicaPiton519]

yeah, on the heating part it would, not sure i believe its the same stuff...
but electrical tape seems to come off the side of the enclosure better...

[dr del]

Hi,

And potentially right onto your snakes delicate skin.

This is a post listing links to some of the snake/tape problems in the past.

The best recomendations are either a hot glue gun or the kind of low-tack tape used by painters I think.

Normally it is best to have both the heater and probe outside the tank so the animal cannot affect it by P'ing on it etc but I know this is not always possible.


del

[Argentra]

For securing the thermometer probe(s) inside the enclosure, I place them under the paper layer I have under the aspen right on the glass and under the area the hide sits on. The weight of the hide keeps it down and being under the paper (mostly) prevents the probe from moving.

For securing the thermoSTAT probe to the UTH outside and underneath the enclosure, I use foil tape. Stat probes are best set outside the cage so there is NO risk of them being moved or messed up. Then, you just tweak the dial little by little until the temp reading on the thermometer is what you wish it to be.

[starmom]

Also, foil tape is different from duct tape though it is found in the same dept as duct tape

[TheKingInYellow]

Also, foil tape is different from duct tape though it is found in the same dept as duct tape

Righto. I know 'duct tape' is a misnomer since it's not supposed to be used on ducts that carry hot air (from furnaces or dryers for instance).

I did get the right foil tape, and I'm going to go with the 'on the UTH directly' method.

Thanks for the advice, I'm hoping to have a critter in the cage by next weekend

[dr del]

:Sigh:


Ah well I tried - hope nothing goes wrong for ya.

You could also have used silicon sealant if the tank is empty at the moment - 100% safe and warerproof once cured.


dr del

[TheKingInYellow]

I think you misunderstood. I will use foil duct tape to attach the probe to the back side of the UTH on the *outside* of the tank.