T-stat probe placement for dummies...

Wouldn't having it under the tub cause it to read higher than what it is in the tub? And what about a smaller container that just holds the probe sitting in an unobscured place on the rack over the heat element? Wouldn't that give a better reading or no?

Hi,

Yup - the chances of it getting moved or the snake interfering with it mean it is possible to cause real problems. And of course for anyone who feeds live inside an enclosure you will soon be aware of how much those pesky rodents love eating thermometer and thermostat cables. :rolleyes:

As well as the example given above it could move the thermostat probe off the heated area causing it to run the heater full bore causing severe overheating. This can kill animals extremely quickly and cause neurological damage as well. :(

And of course any tape aside from low tack painters tape inside the enclosure with the animal always carries the risk of the animal getting stuck to it.

None of these things are definately going to happen obviously - I just prefer to plan the set ups to minimise possible problems.

It really isn't a problem if the probe is outside the enclosure, directly on the heater, and the thermostat has to be set higher to achieve the desired temps inside the snakes habitat.


dr del

I do not want to mess with having to ajust me temp to an off setting to get the inside of the cage correctly heated. I would like to have my thermostat real the temp I need to run. Now if that is not possible or not a good idea I will change it. I do not feed live, and I have the probe stuck in place real well, but their is the chance.

My question is if I take a smaller rubbermaid container (real small) and poke some holes in it, if I have a place to fit it over the heat cable would this be a good choice? Or not?

Hi,

I remember seeing pictures where someone had cut a scrap rubermaid and had a section of it the same size as the probe between it and the heatmat.

But this was in a rack setup with a bit of space at the backwhere the tub didn't cover all the heatpad.

I have simply taped the probes directly onto the heatpads in a place the movement of the tubs does not interfere with them.

The temp it shows on the thermostat when the in-tub temps are perfect doesn't really matter as long as you would notice when it changed. :)

Also since you are checking with a temp gun you should be ok - I still occasionally leave a probe thermometer inside a tub now and again just to double check everything but for reassurance you can't beat the temp gun.

You can use things like a hot glue gun to stick the probe down inside the tub with no risk to the snake once it has cooled and set.

It won't avoid the temp swing risk but at least the snake can't get stuck to it and rip it's skin trying to get free or anything.


dr del

Thanks, I have a bit of space between tubs where the rails holding the rack up are. I just now took a small tub I had laying around (4"X6") and taped the probe in it and placed it in that space and taped it down. Maybe this will be the answer, kindof like a control for the rest of the rack and tubs.

Well, so far that has seemed to do it. My temps from my thermostat compare with that from my temp gun in my tubs, and it is in a secure location, not to be disturbed by the rooms ambient temp or drafts or spills or anything else.