Where to put probe on rack set-up??

Sooooo, I have heard both opinions of where to put the probe to my thermostat on my rack, but I haven't really ever heard WHY one way is better then the other (directly against Flexwatt or foil-taped against inside of bin with bin against flexwatt?

Currently I have mine taped to the inside of a tub that doesn't have anything in it (only have 4 snakes currently in my rack). With my temp gun the temps read high 90s directly against the side of the tub (exactly where flexx is heating the tubs) and low 90's on the floor of the tubs closest to the flexwatt (where snake's bellie's would be on hot side). On the cool side of the tub temps read mid 80s during day and will drop to low 80s during night time. (since it is winter my abient's in the room are at a steady 77 at night and 80 during day).

I'd appreciate any opinions about my temps and what your feelings are about where to put the probe. Like I said above I have heard both opinions but never really a "why" he or she puts the probe where they do... hence "their argument" on the subject.

Thanks again so much everyone. I always really appreciate all the responses and help. Oh, btw I am using the Reptitemp 500R. I know I know, it has its brilliant reviews, hahaha, but it's all I can afford at the moment for the next couple of weeks. Also, all snakes are feeding great and are not aggrevated at all either. They seem pretty happy to me? Lol. Jeazz, like I can see a friggin smile on all their faces or somethin. hahaha. :D

ANYBODY??? please guys.. I'd really appreciate the advice. I don't want anything to happen to my animals if I am doing this wrong. I'm sure it wont kill em' or anything, but as a reptile lover and keeper like all of you, I just care about my snakes and want the very best for them.

If that sensor somehow loses contact with the tub or the tape it can super heat and kill or harm your animals at the very least. I think for safety purposes it should always be taped to the flexwatt. If that probe can't sense heat your thermostat is going to just crank the heat until it can or it burns up. You can always set the thermostat higher if the tub temp is off from the flexwatt temp. There is no margin for error if the sensor isn't touching the flexwatt. Just the logical choice in my opinion. You can always use a scrap piece of tub and place that between the probe and the flexwatt. Just be sure to tape it down VERY securely.

Regards,

B

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Originally Posted by Simple Man

If that sensor somehow loses contact with the tub or the tape it can super heat and kill or harm your animals at the very least. I think for safety purposes it should always be taped to the flexwatt. If that probe can't sense heat your thermostat is going to just crank the heat until it can or it burns up. You can always set the thermostat higher if the tub temp is off from the flexwatt temp. There is no margin for error if the sensor isn't touching the flexwatt. Just the logical choice in my opinion. You can always use a scrap piece of tub and place that between the probe and the flexwatt. Just be sure to tape it down VERY securely.

Regards,

B

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I hear ya. I've heard about doing the "piece of tub" trick. Also, I did use that super bad a@@ aluminum tape when I taped it inside the tub. Tried duct tape at first and it fell off in no time. I check the aluminum stuff at least 3 or 4 times a day and it hasn't budged. If I feel it is beginning to ever lose its integrity I will for sure go directly to the fwatt. Thanks a lot for the help dude. I really appreciate it.

I just posted this on another forum. Hopefully it will help you.

The thermoSTAT probe should NEVER go in the enclosure with the snake. The snake could move it which would mess with the temps. Also, the temp will change if the snake lays directly on the probe or pees/poops on the probe or water spills on the probe or substrate insulates the probe or something cuts the probe wire, etc. It is safer for the snake if the thermoSTAT probe is outside the enclosure, secure and protected.

The thermoSTAT probe should be fixed on the UTH or flexwatt outside/under the tank/tub/box, etc. The temp you set on the thermoSTAT will usually be higher than the temp you actually want.

The thermoMETER probe should be taped to the hot spot inside the enclosure so you can view the actual temp. Adjust the thermoSTAT temp up or down until the inside temp is within the range you need.

On a rack, try to put the probe on the shelf just below the middle.

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

I just posted this on another forum. Hopefully it will help you.

The thermoSTAT probe should NEVER go in the enclosure with the snake. The snake could move it which would mess with the temps. Also, the temp will change if the snake lays directly on the probe or pees/poops on the probe or water spills on the probe or substrate insulates the probe or something cuts the probe wire, etc. It is safer for the snake if the thermoSTAT probe is outside the enclosure, secure and protected.

The thermoSTAT probe should be fixed on the UTH or flexwatt outside/under the tank/tub/box, etc. The temp you set on the thermoSTAT will usually be higher than the temp you actually want.

The thermoMETER probe should be taped to the hot spot inside the enclosure so you can view the actual temp. Adjust the thermoSTAT temp up or down until the inside temp is within the range you need.

On a rack, try to put the probe on the shelf just below the middle.

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Thanks for the info John.. I actually have an empty tub on my very top rack shelf. So that's where the probe is taped with aluminum tape. like I said above I have checked it numerous times and it hasnt even thought to begin to sag or lose its integrity. The back walls in the tubs that have snakes in them (where hottest spot on tub is) reads 93 to 95 degrees. The average temp on cool side is around 83 degrees. So far this seems to be working for me... Once the collection grows a bit more I will be sure to switch it up and place the probe outside the tub - against the flex. Thanks again and let me know if you think this is still an ok idea? Cheers to Reptiles!

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Originally Posted by cdavidson9

Thanks for the info John.. I actually have an empty tub on my very top rack shelf. So that's where the probe is taped with aluminum tape.

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If you're checking it daily and the temps are within your range, I guess it's OK.

My only concern would be with the probe being on the very top shelf. It may cause the lower/lowest shelf to be cooler. I have a five degree difference between my lowest and highest shelves in a cool room.

Good luck.

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

If you're checking it daily and the temps are within your range, I guess it's OK.

My only concern would be with the probe being on the very top shelf. It may cause the lower/lowest shelf to be cooler. I have a five degree difference between my lowest and highest shelves in a cool room.

Good luck.

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Totally feel what your saying. I have it set to where the only tubs I am shooting with my gun right now are the 4 tubs with my animals in them. Once I expand, I will continue to check the temps in the tubs that have animals added to them. I just can't wait to ditch this crappy ReptiTemp thermo.

Next Paycheck = HERPSTAT *LOL*

Happy breeding season to ya bro, if you're breeding that is. :headbang:

I'm still having issues with my probe placement.

I am using heat cable and from what I was told by Spyder Robotics was that I shouldn't put the probe directly on the heat cable because it heat/cools too quickly. They suggested that I put the probe inside the enclosure so I tried that and now my temps are wayyy off. This is driving me nuts!

And is it safe to use aluminum tape to secure the thermoMETER probe on the bottom of the tub, under the substrate? I was unable to fit the thermoSTAT probe underneath the tub because there is no room so I taped the probe in an empty tub (however, I intend to fill that tub someday in the future).

I'm hoping this will solve my issue for now. I can't believe how frustrating this can get!

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Originally Posted by digizure

And is it safe to use aluminum tape to secure the thermoMETER probe on the bottom of the tub, under the substrate? I was unable to fit the thermoSTAT probe underneath the tub because there is no room so I taped the probe in an empty tub (however, I intend to fill that tub someday in the future).

I'm hoping this will solve my issue for now. I can't believe how frustrating this can get!

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Don't use aluminum tape. It conducts heat and will give you inaccurate readings. And when using tape(for example, packaging tape), just tape the very tip of the probe and the cord closest to the probe. This prevents trapping heat, while keeping the probe secure.

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I'm curious, are the thermometer probes supposed to go underneath the substrate inside the tub?

I just placed the thermostat probe in an empty tub and I'm getting much better reading. I am not sure how to get around this when I fill in that space but I'm gonna stop thinking about this for now.

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Originally Posted by digizure

I'm curious, are the thermometer probes supposed to go underneath the substrate inside the tub?

I just placed the thermostat probe in an empty tub and I'm getting much better reading. I am not sure how to get around this when I fill in that space but I'm gonna stop thinking about this for now.

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Yes, thermometer probes should be on the floor of the cage directly over the UTH (under the substrate)

Ok, I'll give that a try. Would you recommend duct tape or packing tape? Or should I use hot glue?

No tape should ever be used inside a cage. Hot glue is the best option.

middle of heat tape...on the middle rack

I have my probe set up on the middle shelf of the rack. What I did was used some aluminum tape to just tape the cord right before the probe, then hot glued the sides if the probe to the flexwatt. This has worked very well for me, but if you take this route be sure not to get the probe too hot as to fry it!!

As for the thermometer probe, yes, it goes under the substrate on the warm side and do NOT use tape, tape + snake = horrible accident waiting to happen. I also hot glued my probe for the thermometer to the inside of the tub. So hot glue can be your best friend with snakes!!!

Hope this info helps :D


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Personally either fasten the entire cord or not al all having a loos cable with fixed ends (where it enters the tub and fixed to the bottom) is just begging a tangle. I leave mine loose and place them exacty where I want to know the temps in the hide if there is one. It sometimes stays there but I spot check twice a day so if I have to toss it back under no big deal. I would not bother placing it under the substrate the snake isn't there. The temp readings should be coming from the spot where the animal lays at the level it lays on. It makes the most sense there can be 1-4+ degrees difference under the substrate and the hide.

I would also recommend a failsafe especially with a rack. The moving objects over the probes greatly increases the risk of breaking it loose. Inside an empty is fine but it is a waste of space and sooner or later you will want that space. I would position the primary in the middle shelf on the hottest part of the flexwatt (in varies by about 5% edge to edge and beginning to end) The secondary I always place at the top shelf as it tends to be the hottest. remember Flexwatt is not recommended to be run at over 100ºF so this is the max temp the failsafe should be set to.

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Thanks for your inputs. I do need to remind you that I am not using Flexwatt but a heat cable. There is no room between the heat cable and the tub to place the probe. The rack I bought has six rows of maybe 6 inches of heat cable per shelf and the temperature in that area is so much different than the temperature of one row of heat cable (that is routed to the hot side of the tub).

I hope I'm clear?

And there is space between the wood and tub I use??? Nope, but the tub still slides right over it. I used a "dummy" shelf so it never has to be opened/altered. It should work very similar for the cable!!!!


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Also I know a good few people who set there's up just like mine (minus the dummy shelf) that have been breeding for many many years.


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I don't have any room between the shelf and tub. Any suggestions on where I should place the probe then?

Did you not read my second to last message?????????? I (and I'm sure a good few others) do not have room between the shelf and the tub, but the thermostat probe still goes there....it doesn't really matter what your heating method is, you are always going to put the probe in the middle of the heat source....


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Some people may engrave a spot for it, sure, but not everyone, and you have received your answer multiple times.


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The tub cannot slide over the probe!