Needing help with Herpstat

So i finally got my herpstat 1 in about 3 weeks ago and got it all set up. Ive got the probe taped down to my 6" flexwatt and the 34 qt tubs sitting on top of the tape. I know that the temperature was good whenever i first set it up and my hottest spot was about 92, but 90 in most areas (under the newspaper). Now i went in last night and was checking on things and its pretty hot under the paper. My thermostat was still set at 92 but when i lifted the paper to check the tub temperature with my heat gun i was finding spots of 96-98. Now, on top of the paper things were still fine. 89-92 depending where i measured. I turned the thermostat down to 90 last night before i went to bed but im still finding really hot spots under the paper when i take my temps. The snakes don't seem bothered very much, they still split their time between the hot and cold side, just like theyve done since I got them. I just want to know if it's very common to have to run your thermostat lower that the actual recommended temperature. I have shot temperatures across the 6" width of the heat tape and i haven't found any that are that high, so i don't know what the deal is.

Flexwatt is not constant with heat one spot be colder and another be hotter, nothing to worry as long as you have a thermostat.
Plus the snake will regulate is temps by moving to the cold side to cool off.


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Ok I was hoping this would be the case. My snakes don't have any burn marks or anything and they all still seem pretty content, so I'm probably just going to leave it set at 90.


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I just set up my first herpstat and flexwatt this weekend and found similiar results. Like you, I found a happy medium (I think) and I'll just monitor for a while.

Check and make sure your tape is not covering the probe sensor bc that could send inaccurate readings to the thermostat. You only need to tape the probe wire to the flexwatt and allow the probe sensor to sit "flush" on the flexwatt.

Ok, thanks Albert. I didn't know there was actually a special spot on the probe for getting a reading. I thought you just taped it down.


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Definitely make sure that when you tape the probe down, that there is only tape on the cord, not the probe sensor itself. Flexwatt definitely does have spots that are hotter than others. If it bothers you a lot, you can try THG heat tape. It seems to be much more evenly heated.

play with your temps just make sure your air temp is 80+ but not close to 90 and you will be all right, if its on the hot end make sure you have a basking size water bowl and check on them often until you get it close to the temps you and the snakes are comfertable with. this time of year most people are upset that they have low temps so you should be set and it can always go lower. we got two racks on our herpstat 4 right now one running at 86.5 12 inch thg and the other 87.5 one 4 inch thg tape and the tubs are 90 hot side 80 cold side and the ambient is at 84 or so with the ac unit set at 80.

I am having a similar issue .. I've had to set my herpstat at about 80 to get the desired temps.. I'm thinking about putting a few holes in the tubs


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It is important to remember that when setting up your thermostat, and dialing in temperatures, you want to be adjusting the hot spot temps, not relying on measuring ambient temps. Depending on a given setup, getting your ambient temps into the 80s means having a hot spot that is dangerously hot. Measure the hot spot, get it to around 90, and leave it alone. With an insulated rack, the appropriately sized heat tape, and an appropriately heated room, a 90 degree hot spot will get your ambient temps to the correct levels. If your heat tape is too small, or your room too cold, the heat tape will have to work too hard to get the temps up.