Where should I put the thermostate probe and why?

Hi everyone.
I read that probes go always attached to the flexwatt. But I cant' find the reason. Shouldn't it be more efficient to test the spot where you want to control the temperature? (inside the tub/cage/tank)

Because each time you pull the tub out, the probe wiring makes your life hard.
Better to directly control the heat source then measure the spot your snake will be hanging out.

Also the temp can vary if your snake is laying on the cord, spills his water dish or maybe pushes it above the substrate and now you're trying to heat a probe two inches off the surface making your thermostat heat way up .
Its safest to have the probe on a surface where it will be undisturbed and can be secured down (can't use tape in the enclosure)

As pointed out, if placed inside the snake can sit on it, push it, spill water or poop or pee on it, all of which will change the temp reading. Also you want it outside on the UTH as that will give you the most accurate reading. Then you use a temp gun and get the reading directly from the glass as that will be the hottest. On top of the substrate is pointless as the snake can burrow down and sit right on the glass.

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Originally Posted by Morke

Hi everyone.
I read that probes go always attached to the flexwatt. But I cant' find the reason. Shouldn't it be more efficient to test the spot where you want to control the temperature? (inside the tub/cage/tank)

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This is when a no contact thermometer is handy.

Thermostat to control the heat input, thermometers to make sure the spots in the tank are good.

I put mine inside the enclosure, above the heat mat. I epoxy it down, so that it can't be moved. I find it's the most accurate. BUT... it's 100% permanent, so something to keep in mind.

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Originally Posted by Rickys_Reptiles

I put mine inside the enclosure, above the heat mat. I epoxy it down, so that it can't be moved. I find it's the most accurate. BUT... it's 100% permanent, so something to keep in mind.

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As long as you don't have any fluids in there that could alter its reading.

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Originally Posted by Rickys_Reptiles

I put mine inside the enclosure, above the heat mat. I epoxy it down, so that it can't be moved. I find it's the most accurate. BUT... it's 100% permanent, so something to keep in mind.

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If the snake sits on this, will mess with readings also.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

As long as you don't have any fluids in there that could alter its reading.

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Even if the water bowl spills, which has never happened, the temps would only spike for a short time - and even then they would barely spike. I poured water from my fridge onto the setup to test this at the beginning and it spiked from 90 to 98 for about 10 minutes at 100%, and then it started to drop again. No harm.

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Originally Posted by Nathaniel1989

If the snake sits on this, will mess with readings also.

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How would this make any difference? Are you saying that the snake would act as an insulator of some kind? The heat is coming from below the probe, not above it.