Temps spike when aluminum tape fails me..

Sometime last week I went into my room to check on the temps in my Ball python enclosures and they were outrageously high. In the bottom tub, temps reached up to 112F, and in the top tub the temps reached up to 124F (both are 10g-20g UTHs and heat is measured with a digital thermometer with probe). I knew that the probe popped off because of the aluminum tape I use and this isn't the first time this has happened. I quickly took my Ball pythons out of their enclosures and held them for a while so they could cool off; their bellies were pretty warm. I have the probe taped with aluminum tape onto the bottom tub's UTH. The aluminum tape is pretty sticky, but after a bit it just comes right off the UTH. What should I do so this doesn't happen again?

You could stick the probe between the UTH and the tub.

Seems like this week is the week for probes coming loose and causing heat spikes!

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

You could stick the probe between the UTH and the tub.

Seems like this week is the week for probes coming loose and causing heat spikes!

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The only problem with that is I'd have to remove the entire UTH LOL. I have it taped down with aluminum tape because I saw it kinda coming off without it so I just put some aluminum tape on it so it would stay.. and somehow THAT stays on but the aluminum tape can't even support a very light probe?

I also hear that you should bend the UTH at all, not really sure what happens but if I were to put the probe underneath the UTH, wouldn't it bend?

You wouldn't really be bending it. I think what they mean is if you fold it, or like crease it.

If it bows a bit at the center to accommodate a small probe, I don't think that is an issue. I have done it before and its been just fine.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

You wouldn't really be bending it. I think what they mean is if you fold it, or like crease it.

If it bows a bit at the center to accommodate a small probe, I don't think that is an issue. I have done it before and its been just fine.

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Okie dokie I'll do that once I get home tomorrow, thanks!:D

Couldnt you also put it in the tub??? taped on the plastic on top of the UTH.

Thats bad bad bad. I could see that happening. It would probably have to get burning hot to get the probe to your desired temp when its inches or more away...........

The fault in thermostats.... There should be a output limit.

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Originally Posted by I<3Dreamsicles

Couldnt you also put it in the tub??? taped on the plastic on top of the UTH.

Thats bad bad bad. I could see that happening. It would probably have to get burning hot to get the probe to your desired temp when its inches or more away...........

The fault in thermostats.... There should be a output limit.

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I think so, but I prefer it to be outside of the enclosure.. don't want it to get covered in piss LOL. When you getting that Pastel?

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Originally Posted by I<3Dreamsicles

Couldnt you also put it in the tub??? taped on the plastic on top of the UTH.

Thats bad bad bad. I could see that happening. It would probably have to get burning hot to get the probe to your desired temp when its inches or more away...........

The fault in thermostats.... There should be a output limit.

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If it is inside the enclosure, then the snake can move it around which is just as bad.

What brand of aluminum tape are you using?

I've had a probe stuck in place with aluminum tape for a very long time, and nothing can get it loose.

Also, are you using a homemade/wooden rack?

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

If it is inside the enclosure, then the snake can move it around which is just as bad.

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Hey Kaorte, by the way, how did you make those banners in your sig? LOL they look REALLY cool, and I've been wanting to know how to make banners like that and put a pic of my reptile or snake in it. Photoshop, I'm guessing? Maybe?..

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Originally Posted by Nate

What brand of aluminum tape are you using?

I've had a probe stuck in place with aluminum tape for a very long time, and nothing can get it loose.

Also, are you using a homemade/wooden rack?

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Well, when I bought it, it said Foil Tape. The guy who was helping me at Home Deopt said foil and aluminum tape are pretty much the same thing, so I purchased it.

I'm not using a rack at all, I just stacked two tubs. I have those little grippers on the bottom of the tubs so there is space & air flow for the UTHs. I have the tubs placed on top of an old stand that used to have a fish tank on it for a pretty long time.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

If it is inside the enclosure, then the snake can move it around which is just as bad.

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taped down. my probes are just sitting on/ slightly below the substrate in my tank and havent moved since I put them there.

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Originally Posted by CoolioTiffany

I think so, but I prefer it to be outside of the enclosure.. don't want it to get covered in piss LOL. When you getting that Pastel?

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pfff. itll wipe/ wash off... there other places for them to go besides right on the wire. lol.

idk when im getting her the guy just kind of stopped responding to my emails right as we were figuring out shipping. I just messaged some people on here that have dealt with the guy before and they said not to worry, etc.... I havent talked to him in 5 days or so, last time I did we were setting up a good shipping date.

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Originally Posted by I<3Dreamsicles

taped down. my probes are just sitting on/ slightly below the substrate in my tank and havent moved since I put them there.

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Well tape in an enclosure is a whole other issue. You should not have adhesive in the tank with the snake. You may not have had problems yet, but believe me, they will stick themselves to the tape at some point.

Hi,

What Kaorte said.

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Originally Posted by I<3Dreamsicles

taped down. my probes are just sitting on/ slightly below the substrate in my tank and havent moved since I put them there.

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Originally Posted by I<3Dreamsicles

pfff. itll wipe/ wash off... there other places for them to go besides right on the wire. lol.

idk when im getting her the guy just kind of stopped responding to my emails right as we were figuring out shipping. I just messaged some people on here that have dealt with the guy before and they said not to worry, etc.... I havent talked to him in 5 days or so, last time I did we were setting up a good shipping date.

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Heres a post I made linking to tape damage threads before you say we are worrying over nothing;

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Originally Posted by dr del

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dr del

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Oh and the problem with them peeing all over the probe is not that it gets smelly - it's the same problem caused by them moving it.

It causes the temp probe to report the temps as lower than they actually are which makes the thermostat start pumping more juice to the heater.

If you insist in keeping the probe inside the enclosure then a couple of dollops from a glue gun is the best way to secure the temp probe as it sets very quickly and is safe once it has done so. It is also fairly easy for you to remove if you need to.


dr del

Maybe you should give another aluminum take a try, I got one off home depot and it was kinda expensive. But it's very good.

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Originally Posted by Danounet

Maybe you should give another aluminum take a try, I got one off home depot and it was kinda expensive. But it's very good.

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Nashua brand tape is extremely sticky. I bought it at Home Depot.