Where to place the thermostat probe

It will always depend on what heat source I am using.

Belly heat - Outside the cage always

Overhead heat(RHP) - Inside the cage always(for obvious reasons)

With belly heat there isn't much fluctuation. In the Winter I set it to 99F and it will create a hotspot of 88-92F all Winter round. In the summer I set it to 93F and it will create the same basking spot. You just need to learn how to work with it and there isn't much more to it.

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Originally Posted by mikoh4792

It will always depend on what heat source I am using.

Belly heat - Outside the cage always

Overhead heat(RHP) - Inside the cage always(for obvious reasons)

With belly heat there isn't much fluctuation. In the Winter I set it to 99F and it will create a hotspot of 88-92F all Winter round. In the summer I set it to 93F and it will create the same basking spot. You just need to learn how to work with it and there isn't much more to it.

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Yes I did forget to say the exception would be for an RHP. Thank you for pointing that out.

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Originally Posted by jclaiborne

How are the probes for the ceramic attached and where are they located inside the viv? I am not doubting that it can be safely done, I am questions the validity of the statement that having it outside vs inside actually makes a difference as I have done an experiment with it myself and there was no effect one way or another, once it is dialed in it is dialed in. There is no effect with temp drops in the room and having the probe on the outside, the tstat will set the correct temp.

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They are fitted so that the cable is lodged through a specific spot at the top of the viv. It can not be pulled through and reaches from the top of the viv in the left hand corner to the bottom of the viv with a few inches so you can move the placement.

This isn't my viv (mine is a 3ft viv) but shows roughly where the probe is:

https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/...71557437_n.jpg

This is how viv probes are set up here in the UK for a viv with a ceramic :) Hope the pic helped as my explanation wasn't great!

Of course you need the probe inside the viv with a ceramic bulb :)

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Originally Posted by Naom9Anne

Of course you need the probe inside the viv with a ceramic bulb :)

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Oh wow so are they actually placing the bulbs inside the viv with a fixture? If so is there a protective "cage" wrapped around it?

An effective way of securing a probe inside an enclosure is using a zip tie. You can tie it down to a perch or on the wall.

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7729b01b.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jclaiborne

Oh wow so are they actually placing the bulbs inside the viv with a fixture? If so is there a protective "cage" wrapped around it?

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I'm guessing you don't use a viv for your enclosures. Ceramic is fitted inside the cage with a guard around it to stop the snake from getting anywhere near it and getting burnt.

A few pictures I found on google as this forum sometimes doesn't let me post my own photos.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/image...sBeWMfUQhAwP/Z

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/i...gvvdMjKH9fUOvQ

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...eplJCB8USbihiL

Hope these help clear up the confusion. My probe is threaded through the same part as the bulb wire and hangs down like the previous picture I posted earlier :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Naom9Anne

I'm guessing you don't use a viv for your enclosures. Ceramic is fitted inside the cage with a guard around it to stop the snake from getting anywhere near it and getting burnt.

A few pictures I found on google as this forum sometimes doesn't let me post my own photos.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/image...sBeWMfUQhAwP/Z

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/i...gvvdMjKH9fUOvQ

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...eplJCB8USbihiL

Hope these help clear up the confusion. My probe is threaded through the same part as the bulb wire and hangs down like the previous picture I posted earlier :)

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I use a viv (vision cage) I live in Southern California so there is not need for a ceramic heater. I use a heat pad and I am good to go. I have seen Lizard cages like that, but again not for ceramics just a heat bulb.

We have the choice of a ceramic bulb or an infra-red bulb when buying a viv out here. Both come with guards like this. Personally I prefer my tubs with heat mats but I got the viv set up with my first BP before I'd discovered it wasn't really necessary. My BP in the viv doesn't eat as well as my BP in the tub (not sure if this is due to the enclosure or just the different snakes but I love my tubs) My viv is aesthetically pleasing but give me a tub any day!


Also it is really bloomin' cold here! It's cold most of the year actually ;)

I am not worried about fluids causing damage to the probe. The issue is having liquid lowering the temp of the probe which will then ramp the power and cause the cage to over heat.

I had a similar setup going along the back wall in my pvc cages. I ran the wire from my Accurite unit to keep the wire out of the way. Both my big blood and my brb got through the wire and pulled the tube and wire down. I never thought my big lazy blood would have done it but she did.

I think it is a good idea to extend the tube to the back wall. You have a good idea with what you did and it could be very beneficial in some cages I'm sure.

For those of you that have a rhp you need to be careful with placing the probe under it in a position where you snake could lay on it. For example if I placed the probe on the perch for my gtp and she covers it the tstat will think it needs more heat and will increase the power and make the cage to hot. Now some do use this and have not had an issue but the potential is there.

I found by super gluing the probe into a cable strap and then gluing the cable strap to the rim of the rhp really worked well for me.

http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/...psbd2f41b7.jpg