New Thermostat Probe and Snake Rack Issues

So I just got a VE-2 rack and I am trying to set it up but I have encountered a problem. The spyderrobotics thermostat probe will not fit inside the hole before the heat tape that is provided. Anyone else have problems with this

I have the same rack but I am using Reptile Basics thermostats VE-300. They obviously drilled the probe valley to fit their probes. I guess you could expand the valley a bit with a drill bit but be very careful.

Maybe reach out to Rich and ask him what he suggest. Maybe there is a special drill bit to use.

Good luck

The valley is wide enough for the probe to fit perfectly. But that tiny stretch before you get to the tape is to short. I figured if anything I need to get rid of that tiny overhang at the end of the route

Calling the manufacturer is the most prudent thing to do but if your in a bind or not getting through to them, I would imagine sandpaper or a file could be used to widen the hole to fit your probe.

I just got the same rack in today, I used a small flat head screw driver to pry up the section before you get to the heat tape. Be careful not to damage tape/rack.


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I got the probe issue figured out and everything is set up. I'm just struggling to raise temps. I noticed though, my thermostat is keeping the tape at 93. My thermometer is glued to the bottom right above where the thermostat probe would be over the tape, but my thermometer only reads 81-82 on the bottom of the tub. Is it typical to lose THAT much heat in the tiny space between the heat tape and the bottom of the inside of the tub?

Someone mentioned throwing in a few books to simulate the weight of a snake and items in a tub so it weighs it down and bit and you can see if that changes the temp. If you have an IR temp gun you can check the temp of the heat tape itself to see if the thermostat is in proper contact with the tape and it really is reading 93.

Alright ill check the temp of the tape where the probe is. It's frustrating. I had issues with humidity in the glass cage, but the temps were good so I switched to a rack because I had heard good things about their ability to hold temps and humidity both. But now I am having the opposite issue of temp problems while the humidity is good.