new ball python. have a question

well I recently picked up my first snake/ball python. what looks to be a normal morph, weighing in at 81.3 grams. the second day I had it home I decided I would give feeding a shot, I served up two F/T fuzzy mice that weighed a combined 13g. My temps hang around 78-81 on the cool side (accurite unit on cool side), and 80-85 in the middle, and the accurite thermo probe directly dead center of the UTH reads 88-92 give or take. Humidity stays right in the 50s using Aspen, It is a pretty thin layer over the UTH.. wouldn't take much for this snake to have contact with the glass. currently controlling the UTH with a table top dimmer from home depot. I feel like my temps are within spec, I know they aren't going to be PERFECT. but I feel like they are within range of all the posts I've come across. I ordered a hydrofarm thermostat that will be here Friday or Saturday. I know this needs to be mounted between the UTH and tank; but I stuck the UTH directly to the tank already:stupidme::stupidme:

these mats are pretty much screwed if you go to pull it off the tank? does the thermostat probe go dead center on UTH between it and the glass? I already am well aware the thermometer is dead center under substrate. I just want to make sure when I get my thermostat I have the proper placement.. also would I need to go out and get another heat mat? I keep hearing decent things about the Exo Terra rainforest one. I have a Zoo-Med Repti Therm 10-20gal right now.

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The stick on UTH's are pretty much dead if you rip them off the tank. While the thermostat probe is best placed in between the UTH and the bottom of the tank you can always tape/hot glue the probe to the underside of the UTH instead. The probe should be centered on the UTH, it doesn't need to be perfect but get it close.

You can very carefully pull the uth off. As long as you don't fold it or bend it to much as you remove it the uth should be fine. Once you have it off you can stick foil to the sticky side of the uth and then tape the uth to the bottom of the tank if you desire. Many times I just lay the uth under the tank and its weight holds it in place just fine.

Hi like Herpstat from http://www.spyderrobotics.com/home/products.html

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

The stick on UTH's are pretty much dead if you rip them off the tank. While the thermostat probe is best placed in between the UTH and the bottom of the tank you can always tape/hot glue the probe to the underside of the UTH instead. The probe should be centered on the UTH, it doesn't need to be perfect but get it close.

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Thanks for the quick response. I actually seen your posts about not putting the probe inside the tank for the thermostat due to the snake moving it around. I just wanted to assure proper placement, since It just said between the UTH and glass. My thermometer dead center of UTH where the hide is placed goes around 88-91 on the accurite, and my IR gun comes damn close to the accurite. I don't think a degree or two swing will really have any ill effects. I know after I had fed him he went over to his cold side until I showed him the warm hide.

I guess I will go out tomorrow and get the Exo Terra heat pad that I saw at the shop. just incase I happen to tear up this zoomed:O I believe It's a 8"x11" so this should fit pretty good on a 20 gallon long. Great site, so much information. Thanks Serp/KMG:gj:

I'll def look into the herpstat, but I'm just looking to keep this one snake so the Hydrofarm was more appealing and seems others use it. If it starts acting dumb, I will strongly consider stepping up to a herpstat for the peace of mind

I've taken my zoomed uths off and stuck back on with no issues. Several of them, in fact.

I didn't get my thermostat until after the tank was set up as well. I carefully peeled off one side, placed the probe and reattached. To be safe, I ran a piece of foil tape along that side which also helps prevent it from moving in extreme situations. <like 110 heat waves that require moving the tank to a cooler room.>