Tstat and thermometer probe locations for UTH

Ok so, I'm getting ready to set everything up for my first ball python. When it comes to the UTH with the tstat and thermometer probes I've seen this done both ways, and I want to know which is best...

Option 1. Placing the probes between the UTH and the tank glass bottom
Option 2. Placing the probes inside the tank on the glass bottom above the UTH

Which is better for reading proper UTH temps? And if the snake is laying on the probes with option 2, would that affect the temp readings?

I want to make sure I do this right before adhering the UTH to the tank

Use Option 1.
Placing the stat probe between the uth and tank will provide the most accurate readings of the stat. no worries about probe or wires inside cage being moved around by snake. You'll likely have to set the stat temp a few degrees higher than your desired floor temps. depends on type of cage material and substrate the heat has to travel thru. I set my herpsat to 96.5 to get a 90 floor temp thru pvc cage and 1/2 inch of aspen. if she burrows under aspen which she hasnt done before, the floor temp is 92.5


I don't use a thermometer probe in cage for floor temps, i use a temp gun to spot check those. I do have 2 accurite thermometers mounted in enclosure for ambient and humidity readings.

Put the thermostat probe where you want to control the temperature.

If you want to control the temperature where the snake is sitting, and make sure that where the snake is sitting is not getting too hot, then put it inside the tank, where the snake can get the closest to the heat source.

If you put it outside of the tank, make sure you are using a thermometer inside the tank to measure the temperatures accurately; if it's a glass enclosure, the heat will not transfer perfectly through the glass, so inside the cage will be colder than where the pad is touching the glass directly outside.

Think of it this way: Do you put the thermostat for your house next to the AC vent, where the cold air first comes out? No, you put it in the living room (or someplace nearby) where the people are actually living, as that's where you want the temperature to be within a certain range. Right next to the vent it will be colder, yes, but if the thermostat was there, your house wouldn't get cold enough, right? Same thing for the thermostat with your snake cage - put the thermostat where the snake will be, not necessarily right next to the heat source.

-Jen

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LLLReptile

Put the thermostat probe where you want to control the temperature.

put the thermostat where the snake will be, not necessarily right next to the heat source.

-Jen

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do you put your stat probe on top of substrate where your snakes will be? if so, what keeps him from moving it all over the place

Option 1. Don't put the thermoSTAT probe on top of the substrate. If the snake moves the probe away from the original spot at all it would cause a huge spike in the UTH temp and could really injure your snake. Place the probe between the UTH and bottom of the tank, then adjust the thermostat until it gives you the temp that you are looking for on the inside of the enclosure.

Keep the thermoMETER probe wherever you want the temp measured inside the tank. A temp gun would be much easier though.

I wedge the probe in place, or tape it nearby. Most of them come with suction cups or a similar type of device that lets you attach the probe to the side of the enclosure, and leave just a short lead out - a 1" lead doesn't allow for a ton of movement, so even if it does move, it's not so far that the thermostat will go haywire.

Since I check on my snakes daily, I just check the probe to make sure it is close enough to where it should be. At work, I actually set up the probe in a dummy tub that's empty, which eliminates any concern of the animals moving the probe.

-Jen