what is your thermostat temp set at?

Setting up a tub, had the thermostat probe inside the tub but people said that was a bad idea. So I took out the probe out of the tub, and placed it on the outside and taped it directly on the uth. I had it in between the uth and tub but the heat wasn't penetrating the tub at all and now I have the same issue and there lies my question. What do you have your thermostat's temp at? Mine Herpstat is set at 95 and in the tub it's only 84. Do I have to set this thing at 100 or more in order for it to penetrate the tub and substrate?

What did you use to tape the probe on?

My herpstat is set at 102.5 but I have a PVC enclosure made by Animal Plastics (which is 1/2" thick) So I should have to keep mine hotter then someone with a tub

I used electrical tape

Mine I set to 91.

My VE300 is set at 94 for my rack. It makes a hotspot of 90-91 over the flexwatt and 78-81 ambient so far in the rest of the tub (depending on time of day and amount of sunlight coming in the nearby window).

The t-stat probe is taped with foil tape directly to the flexwatt and the temps inside the tubs are measured with an Accurite and confirmed with a temp gun.

I'm still studying this though - the rack is brand new. I'm a little concerned about the ambient temps getting too high because it is near the window which lets in a lot of light. Might have to move it. And I might have to raise the t-stat setting a smidgen once I add the substrate. We'll see....

I set the herpstat as high as it will go and is only getting to 88 inside the tub

how big is your heat tape? and how are you measuring your tubs temps?

I have a zoomed uth and I have a acurite and temp gun. I know people say it's bad to have the probe inside but that's the only way it will work for me.

I personally think (and so does the guy who makes herpstats) that putting the probe in the tub is the best, as long as you take the proper precautions. You can't make any system 100% failsafe anyway.

Yeah so do I. It makes much more sense to me.

All of my stats are set at the temps I want in the tub...If the stat says 88...It's 88 in the tub...Otherwise it defeats the purpose of having a thermostat!

Believe it or not, mine is set at 85F, and it is 90 inside hottest. This is because the heat source I use is 11 inch and put longitudinally, not horizontally (one tub per level) so the wires are in from the back. The central part of the flexwatt between the A/C is hotter than the edge, and through trial and error before I put snakes in, I found that with the probe on the end of the flexwatt, the middle part was 90 in the tub when about 85 on the edge.

There is no magic answer here what you need is to place your probe on the heat source and play around until you get the desired temps in the tub.

Depending on the tub, heat source, type of rack or individual room temps people will set there t-stat differently I have rack where I set the t-stat at 85 to achieve 88 in the tub some where I set the t-stat at 92 to achieve 88 in the tub.

Play around you will find the right setup for YOU.