Thermostat is driving me crazy!

So, I've been using a timer for my bp's UTH. I had to monitor quite a bit but, with my wife's help, we got it dialed in fairly well and adjusted when the weather changed. I heard everywhere that I shouldn't rely on a timer and get a thermostat. So, I got a zilla 1,000 watt, set it up and watched it go. For the last 4 days, I have been constantly monitoring it and just can't get it dialed in to where there is a consistent temp on my hot side. It has hot spots of 88 - 91 in one area and not even 2 inches over (still inside the UTH borders ) is only 73 and sometimes lower. I don't want my snake to get too cold or overheat. I haven't changed substrate ( reptibark... yeah, I know but, it is working great for humidity and no problems with my bp, so far) and the substrate is set up the same as I always do. The probe is in the tank, on top of the substrate. I tried under the substrate and that had even worse results. If I put the probe under the tank with the UTH, how in the heck does that monitor what's going on inside the tank with my pet. Is this thermostat making my Zilla UTH go crazy or what? I would think they are compatible. Help!

The tstat probe does NOT go inside the tank. It needs to be on the outside of the tank between the uth and the bottom of the tank. Keeping the probe on top of the substrate does not allow the probe to accurately monitor the temperature. It is also dangerous to put it on top of the substrate because the snake can move it which will make the tstat run at full power and get to hot.

Your substrate should be very thin over the uth, 1/4 inch of less. To monitor the temp inside the tank most use a IR temp gun or a probed thermometer. If you get a thermometer with probe it needs to be placed on the bottom of the tank as you need to monitor the temps at the warmest place possible for your snake to reach.

Ok. But, my UTH is already stuck to the bottom. How do I peel it off without damaging the elements inside? Also, If I do manage to peel it off, how do I re apply it. Wouldn't the bend in the UTH covering the probe bend the elements? Thanks for the advice, btw

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Originally Posted by pinheadjas

Ok. But, my UTH is already stuck to the bottom. How do I peel it off without damaging the elements inside? Also, If I do manage to peel it off, how do I re apply it. Wouldn't the bend in the UTH covering the probe bend the elements? Thanks for the advice, btw

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I remove all of the dirt and tape my probe directly to the glass on the bottom of the tank, inside the tank. I know a lot of people are going to say something about how I shouldn't have tape inside the tank because it can get stuck to a snake, but it's packing tape so it's really strong. I would be surprised if a snake had the strength to pull up the packing tape even a little bit. Depending on the type of thermostat you have, the temps will fluctuate a little. I use the jumpstart heat mat thermostat, and when the mat gets up to the temperature I set it at, it shuts the mat off. Once it drops down to something like 88, the power kicks back on. Other thermostats simply regulate the power and those will keep your temps more constant.

First off YES you never put tape in the enclosure. EVER!!!
Second, you can tape the probe to the bottom of the UTH but you will need to make more adjustments.
The UTH is for a hot spot and NOT to raise ambient temperatures.
At this point you need to clear all the substrate from over the UTH and use a no contact or temp gun to read the surface temperature.
Now you will adjust your stat until you have the temo you want.

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Originally Posted by Reed12321

it's packing tape so it's really strong. I would be surprised if a snake had the strength to pull up the packing tape

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Yes and the heat will help.
There is a reason those with experiance tell you what not to do.
Though it is your snake and your future problem.

Thx everyone. I'll put the probe underneath and get the surface temp.

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Originally Posted by Reed12321

but it's packing tape so it's really strong. I would be surprised if a snake had the strength to pull up the packing tape even a little bit.

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I guarantee your snake is stronger. Its a constrictor and being so it could easily wrap the probe wire and pull the tape up. With heat and age the tape is going to become brittle and lose some power. Even in a weakened state the tape will be able to make a mess of your snakes skin if it gets stuck in it and worse yet if it gets the tape over its face while burrowing around.

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Originally Posted by KMG

I guarantee your snake is stronger. Its a constrictor and being so it could easily wrap the probe wire and pull the tape up. With heat and age the tape is going to become brittle and lose some power. Even in a weakened state the tape will be able to make a mess of your snakes skin if it gets stuck in it and worse yet if it gets the tape over its face while burrowing around.

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Then what do you suggest I use to secure the probe in the tank?

Read above: We don't recommend securing the probe in the tank.