quick question about heating

ok ive just got my rack system set up with flexwatt and i just wanna make sure that its all right i have a tstat hooked up to my heat tape and i was told by some people to put the probe on the heat tape but when i took temps in the tubs it was only like 80 on the substrate and like 83 under it(on the hot side) where should i place my probe and how do i need to measure my heat i have a temp gun and thermometers in the tubs

some one? anyone plz? i just want this right

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Originally Posted by paintballerpunk722

some one? anyone plz? i just want this right

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I don't use a rack, but here are links to some threads on the topic. Hope they help...

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ght=rack+temps

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ght=rack+temps

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ght=rack+temps

ok well one kinda did and kinda didnt idk if its my herb stat or what but i have it set on 91 and just checked one tub again and it was at 94 and another was at 87 this is driven me crazy if i could get all the tubs between 89 and 91 i wouldnt worry so much

where do i need to put my probe? and how and where should i measure my temps? (on substrate,under substrate,or on flexwatt?)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by paintballerpunk722

where do i need to put my probe? and how and where should i measure my temps? (on substrate,under substrate,or on flexwatt?)

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Here is a 3 part video by Ralph Davis on rack heating and probe placement. Hope it helps...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ouig...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAFH0...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7c7N...eature=related

Let me guess your top is hotter than the bottom? This is quite common apparently, I have a rack from a local breeder and when I encountered the same issue he said that I needed to heat the room to 80-82º insulate the bottom of the rack as well. The probe is on top of the Flexwatt and on a small bit of bottom of an old tub. That problem I have with that is no tub will slide over that probe.

My solution to the whole issue is a bit unorthodox. I had the same type of variation top to bottom, about 5-7ºF. I removed the snakes to temporary holding enclosures (I have custom made enclosures, converted tank enclosures (sideways) and a tank with plexi lid as well as a rack) removed all the flexwatt and rewired the whole works with heater cord in place of the lamp cord, that bought a degree 4-6º range. I then pulled everything again and added 17 inch low wattage flexwatt to the cool side (it only gets to about 85º plugged into a wall for an hour) That was much better and I was able to get rid if the oil heater. I also added 2" foam to the bottom of the rack. The lower most slot is still cold, and I needed it so again took everything out and re wired the lower rack slot independently. So I have 3 probes one on all the 17" cool side controls and one for the top 3 hot sides and 1 for the lower 2. That has solved all my problems but it is a pain in the butt to be sure. Cleaning the bloody thing is a pain too, I am aging now and have a bum knee and laying on my belly to scrub the lower rack slot sucks.

The thing to keep in mind after reading my issues is that they are my issues, I live in an old (150year) house and well it is cold very cold, (seaweed insulation will do that) I am upgrading everything but it is slow going. To heat the snake room to 80 costs a ton of cash the floor never gets warm it is cold no matter what and the new window doesn't help much. The air blows through the walls. I have to have efficient enclosures and racks are efficient for space but not for heat at all, my problems maybe you can use something of my issues to solve yours.
Alex