Glass tank + heat mat issue

Quick question for those who have a thermostat set up with a glass tank:
I set the probe in between the heat mat and the glass, and set the thermostat to 90F. But after traveling through the thick glass my temp gun only reads about 85F on the inside of the tank. So I increased my thermostat to be about 96F (and now it reads at 90F inside the tank).
Has anyone else had to do this? I'm not really comfortable having it set at 96F, but it seems like the only thing that works.

Hi!

I have a glass tank setup with a heat mat and thermostat for my KSB.

I have the thermostat probe INSIDE the tank, secured to the glass floor above the heat mat. I have the thermostat set for 92 degrees. Knock on wood, I'm right as rain. I'm certain the mat, itself, is closer to 96-98 degrees. Some thermal loss is to be expected.

Having your mat, itself, get to 96 degrees is not a problem. As long as you're regulating the INSIDE surface, where you're animal is touching...you'll be fine. 96 degrees won't cause any problems with your glass.

If you were pushing 120+ degrees, there would be cause for concern.

As long as you're using a reliable T-stat, you can set the appropriate temp for your critter, and breathe easy! Just be sure you're measuring the living space your animal is in...not the outside.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psp2koldrd.jpg

You don't want the probe INSIDE the tank because fluids can alter your temperature swing. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psp2koldrd.jpg

You don't want the probe INSIDE the tank because fluids can alter your temperature swing. ;)

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Good point.

With my KSB, there isn't a whole lot of fluid for me to worry about...but with a BP, floods do occur. Didn't even consider this, since I keep my BPs in a different set-up.

Thanks for being the voice of reason!

I had to do the same thing with mine. Set the thermostat a little high to compensate for heat loss through the glass. As long as your temp gun is reading the substrate at a good temp you're fine. (I was paranoid about it too though X) ) But it also depends on what kind of substrate you have. If its something your snake can burrow under you don't want the inside glass getting too hot either.

Weird, I actually had the opposite problem where the mat superheats the glass despite not being too hot itself. I know this isn't helpful but that's what I first thought your problem was.