Couple of questions about heating...

[TexasGuy]

Ok, I set up my tub today. I've got two pieces of Flexwatt taped to the bottom with foil tape. I've got my Acu-Rite thermometer set up in the tank. I'm using a thermostat I got from Reptile Basics. I've got the thermostat probe taped to the Flexwatt I'm using on the warm side.

So, I attach the thermometer probe to the bottom, inside the tub, above the Flexwatt, correct? So when I hear people talking about the hot side of their tub being 92-94, that's the reading they're referring to? So once I get some substrate down, the surface the snake is going to be laying on isn't actually 92-94? Although I guess he would be if he burrowed down under the substrate.

[llovelace]

yep , when taping use paper tape

[TexasGuy]

I guess what I'm asking is this; when people say the hot end of their enclosure is 92 degrees, that means the thermometer is reading 92 from the probe placed on the bottom, inside surface of the enclosure?

God, that was wordy...

[DutchHerp]

Yes it does.

[tigerlily]

Ok, I set up my tub today. I've got two pieces of Flexwatt taped to the bottom with foil tape. I've got my Acu-Rite thermometer set up in the tank. I'm using a thermostat I got from Reptile Basics. I've got the thermostat probe taped to the Flexwatt I'm using on the warm side.

So, I attach the thermometer probe to the bottom, inside the tub, above the Flexwatt, correct? So when I hear people talking about the hot side of their tub being 92-94, that's the reading they're referring to? So once I get some substrate down, the surface the snake is going to be laying on isn't actually 92-94? Although I guess he would be if he burrowed down under the substrate.

I would suggest you take the thermostat probe out of the enclosure and put it between the Flexwatt and the bottom of the cage. That way you don't have to worry about moisture damaging the probe or the snake moving the probe (which will result in some crazy temps).

As for the temps... you want the surface temps to be 92. I use unprinted paper so the two temps (above and below substrate) are basically the same. If you use a thicker substrate then you'll have bigger problems. The substrate will trap the heat underneath and will need to be fluffed to keep more consistant temps.

I hope that helps some.

[TexasGuy]

Once I get the thermostat set, should the temps really change that much?

[DutchHerp]

Once I get the thermostat set, should the temps really change that much?

That is almost 100% dependent on room temperature. I have to set a night drop to get the same daytime/nighttime temperatures because my room temperature fluctuates like 10 degrees on the worst days.

[tigerlily]

Once I get the thermostat set, should the temps really change that much?

That is almost 100% dependent on room temperature. I have to set a night drop to get the same daytime/nighttime temperatures because my room temperature fluctuates like 10 degrees on the worst days.

What Mattijs said.

Also my response that the temps could change wildly, was based on the snake moving the probe off the UTH which was inside the enclosure. That is the reason for me making the suggestion you remove the thermostat probe from inside the enclosure and move it between the bottom of the tank and the heat source. (outside of the enclosure)

[Vacado]

I've seen a few people suggest attaching the thermostat probe between the flexwatt and the tub. How is this done to prevent damage to the probe? It seems like moving your tub around on top of the probe and cord would be hard on it. Some tubs have a gap between the bottom and the ground, but I would think the spacer feet of the tub would rake over the cord as well? I guess pictures would be helpful here. I know for people with a continuous piece of flexwatt woven through their rack, they can just put the probe on the flexwatt on the side of the rack, not under the tub, which is great if you have that kind of setup.

v

[SatanicIntention]

Ok, I set up my tub today. I've got two pieces of Flexwatt taped to the bottom with foil tape. I've got my Acu-Rite thermometer set up in the tank. I'm using a thermostat I got from Reptile Basics. I've got the thermostat probe taped to the Flexwatt I'm using on the warm side.

So, I attach the thermometer probe to the bottom, inside the tub, above the Flexwatt, correct? So when I hear people talking about the hot side of their tub being 92-94, that's the reading they're referring to? So once I get some substrate down, the surface the snake is going to be laying on isn't actually 92-94? Although I guess he would be if he burrowed down under the substrate.

Hey Christie, his t-stat probe is between the flexwatt and the tub. No worries

If you're using a good thermostat, you shouldn't have wild fluctuations even if the room temp changes some. The hot side of my tubs under the one layer of newspaper is 95. It's about 94-94.5 on top of the newspaper. You don't want tons and tons of substrate, a half inch will suffice. It's only there to absorb waste and if you put too much bedding, it will act as a heat buffer and your flexwatt will have to work harder to get the temps you want.