Heat Mat + Thermostat Set Up Not Working?

Hey everyone..

So I picked up a Zilla Thermostat today to control my heat mat (which is Zoo Med). When I ran the mat without a thermostat the thermometer read about 82 degrees throughout the whole tank. I set up the thermostat about 4 or 5 hours ago, set it to 90 degrees and since the thermometer has dropped down to about 65-70. I just cranked the thermostat up to about 100 to see if maybe there's a heat loss going through the substrate (Only have newspaper and maybe 1" of Aspen bedding). I also have 2/3 of the top tin foiled now for humidity... That's at least working out haha. Any ideas of what could be going on? Did I buy a dud or something? I was all excited to have my guys set up finally 100% complete and now he's all chilly and junk ha

http://www.amazon.com/Zilla-11939-Te...med+thermostat

http://www.amazon.com/Repti-Therm-Un...eat+mat+medium

Thanks!
Dev

You may need to mess with your temps to figure out what will work for your setup. Also, 1 inch of substrate is far too much for the heat on the UTH to reach the surface level, without the UTH being way too hot to avoid burning your snake if it burrows down. I suggest somewhere between a fourth and a half-inch.

Where did you put the probe for the t-stat, and how/where are you measuring the temperatures? Also agreed that 1" of aspen is too much, if I have newspaper or paper towels in the tank as substrate I don't add any aspen or cypress.

Thanks. Yeah, the 1" was just an estimate but for accuracy's sake I just stuck a ruler in there. Got about 1/2" in the fluffier areas but I'd say packed, about 1/4". Currently have the thermostat set to 102 area. It also auto shuts off if the temp hits 110 and the dial goes up to 110. It's also supposed to blink when the heat mat reaches temp after about an hour but it still hasn't started blinking..

The probe is on the side of the tank closer to the floor on the hot side of the tank. The temperatures are being measured by 2 thermometers. One on the hot side, one on the cool side. I only added the substrate to help with heat/humidity. Mostly heat...

I picked up a temp gun from Petsmart to assist in my temp monitoring, and it's helped me worlds to determine accurate surface temp. I suggest one, because while 101 seems high, that may be giving you 90 on the surface where your little buddy's belly is sitting. Every setup is different.

Yeah, I can definitely use a new thermometer that's a given. Im just thrown off by the air temp lowering so drastically. If the surface is 90 the air shouldn't be close to 30 degrees cooler, should it?

That's the kind I have and it works excellent for me but mine is on heat tape.... mine is set at 95, temp on floor is 90
The green light stays on constantly that is the power indicator light, the red one comes on when it needs to heat up the turns off when it reaches temp...there's no blinking
The uth really only heats the surface not the air.

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Thanks.. The red light hasn't turned off once in the 6 or so hours now its been plugged in though. I have the probe basically touching the substrate, too.. I'll have to get a new thermometer ASAP I suppose?

Also, do you use any substrate, a glass tank, newspaper, etc?

Mine is in my rack, right on my heat tape, tubs, aspen bedding.
Technically the probe should be between the heat mat and the tank

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Should I suction cup it to the bottom and just put substrate over it when I clean the tank next? The instructions said to suction cup it to the inside of the tank.. :-/

I know it's very misleading, I would honestly get foil tape or tape it to your heat pad

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Alright, sounds good. Duct tape work fine? Thanks mate

We put the t-stat probes snugly between the UTH and the bottom of the tank. If the probe is inside the tank the snake can (and will) move it, which can cause your UTH to get too hot. Once the probe is in place you need to use a temp gun or IR thermometer to measure the heat on the top of the substrate hot spot, while figuring out where to set the t-stat. In enclosures where we only use newspaper as a substrate a t-stat setting of 92*F typically creates a hot spot of 89-90*F.

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Originally Posted by Dev_DeCoste

Alright, sounds good. Duct tape work fine? Thanks mate

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No it won't hold up to the heat
A roll of foil tape at Home Depot is $7.

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I have finally found what works for me,regarding temps and humidity etc and yes it takes a lot messing with..changing thermostat,different types of bulbs and diff watts etc...finding ways to create humidity without drying out tank.

do your homework and read here and you will find out all u need to know.

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Originally Posted by Crazymonkee

No it won't hold up to the heat
A roll of foil tape at Home Depot is $7.

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3.50-$4.00 I've got foil tape for from the local hardware store

I taped the probe to the outside of the mat with a hydro farm thermostat and then placed a thermostat in the tank and taped that probe right above the hottest spot of the mat. Then set the hydro farm stat and went from there.right now according to my thermostat red gun and in the tank thermostat inside his hide is88 while outside is about 89. Humidity a steady 50

But you have the heat lamp on... that is what is heating your air temp, as I mentioned to you before. You are wasting electricity running your pad because it's not really doing anything being that you're light is what is heating your hotspot

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

I taped the probe to the outside of the mat with a hydro farm thermostat and then placed a thermostat in the tank and taped that probe right above the hottest spot of the mat. Then set the hydro farm stat and went from there.right now according to my thermostat red gun and in the tank thermostat inside his hide is88 while outside is about 89. Humidity a steady 50

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I hope you mean thermometer and you really don't want tape in the enclosure. Hot glue it down but the better thing is putting BOTH probes between the glass and mat.

I have seen some good and not so smart advise given here, maybe its just because its early for me.

Lets start from the .................. start.

You need to be worried first about the SURFACE temperatures............This is what your snake can touch.
I don't care how much substrate you can put in the tank, your snake will burrow and then can get burned if your pad is too hot.
Your thermostat probe should be between the tank and the heat mat, you adjust your stat till the temps are between 88-95. Do not go by the numbers on your thermostat because I have seen a huge variance and if the sticker was not put on correct it wont matter anyway. This is where a no-contact thermometer can come in handy.
Your heat mat is there to create a hot spot NOT heat the ambient temps.
Now you start playing with the overhead heating to heat the ambient temps, if you can get the cooler side to 77-80ish then you should be good.
The problem with overhead heating is you will kill your humidity.
Cover the top like you have done and another trick is to place your water bowl either partially on the heat mat or under the overhead heat source.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

I have seen some good and not so smart advise given here, maybe its just because its early for me.

Lets start from the .................. start.

You need to be worried first about the SURFACE temperatures............This is what your snake can touch.
I don't care how much substrate you can put in the tank, your snake will burrow and then can get burned if your pad is too hot.
Your thermostat probe should be between the tank and the heat mat, you adjust your stat till the temps are between 88-95. Do not go by the numbers on your thermostat because I have seen a huge variance and if the sticker was not put on correct it wont matter anyway. This is where a no-contact thermometer can come in handy.
Your heat mat is there to create a hot spot NOT heat the ambient temps.
Now you start playing with the overhead heating to heat the ambient temps, if you can get the cooler side to 77-80ish then you should be good.
The problem with overhead heating is you will kill your humidity.
Cover the top like you have done and another trick is to place your water bowl either partially on the heat mat or under the overhead heat source.

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Not that I'm in this spot but... for others... he already has the the pad on the tank... how would you remedy that with the stat probe?

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Originally Posted by Crazymonkee

Not that I'm in this spot but... for others... he already has the the pad on the tank... how would you remedy that with the stat probe?

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Foil tape to the bottom of the mat.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Foil tape to the bottom of the mat.

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Ok I wanted to make sure I was correct.
Didn't wanna give out the wrong info, but it made sense to me to do it that way
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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

I hope you mean thermometer and you really don't want tape in the enclosure. Hot glue it down but the better thing is putting BOTH probes between the glass and mat.

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I'm talking about the part that reads,the probe/ thermometer etc... As for the probe spots,I really don't think it matters,as long as ur temps are right.

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Originally Posted by Crazymonkee

But you have the heat lamp on... that is what is heating your air temp, as I mentioned to you before. You are wasting electricity running your pad because it's not really doing anything being that you're light is what is heating your hotspot

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No, my lamp is not heating the spot...NO no no .it's a 29 gallon high and I have some thick bulky resin type hide and it's quiet big. Being the winter is coming I'm using it to make sure he has constant heat under his hide as well..In case of those days it's cold and my heat doesn't kick on,I know he will comfortable. come summer,during the day while I'm at work,I won't use the UTH,my apt will be like 80-85 on avg, but when I get home and the AC goes on,the UTH will be going on as well. I have friends with tanks who have UTHs and lamps and there snakes are doing fantastic..as long as your snake isn't burning and has a cool side to go to he is fine. My guy eats like a slob,is always hiding and is growing and is going into shed again,so I'm having no issues with him( knock on wood).. I. So have a temp infra red gun and been checking air and sutra exempts,everything is fine. My 20 gallon I have no UTH. I have a heat lamp right above his hide and have them black plastic hides that contract heat very easily...

Sweet, got about 90% of that all set. Going to tape the stat probe to the bottom of the heat mat today and change his daylight bulb to an infrared that can run constantly. The water dish is right next to where the heat mat ends so the mat doesn't do much, especially since the dish is a pretty heavy piece of stone. However, the light source is pretty much right above the water dish. After sleeping and waking up I noticed the red light on the thermostat still hasn't shut off. Hopefully moving the probe will alleviate this issue. Since adding the foil humidity has been at a steady 50-60%. Sweet deal :)

Do you think a 50W Infrared will be enough? I grabbed a 100W but got home and saw that my lamp can only handle up to 65, so I'm gonna head back to the store and switch em

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

I hope you mean thermometer and you really don't want tape in the enclosure. Hot glue it down but the better thing is putting BOTH probes between the glass and mat.

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Also it makes no sense putting both probes between the mat.. For one depending on probe size it won't be keeping the hot spot of the mat where u are placing your probe flat to the glass of the tank..second of all I don't wanna know what the temp on the bottom of the glass that's pointless,100% pointless,that's not my concern,my concern is the inside of the tank on top the glass where my snake will be laying...I am new to snakes and health issues and things like that. but setting a tank and getting temps is all common sense bro! it's not really a complicated thing man.i know people that have no thermostats set and have mats and lights and there snakes are doing great....goal is simple keep tank warm and humid,that's all man,it's not rocket science :confusd:

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Originally Posted by Dev_DeCoste

Sweet, got about 90% of that all set. Going to tape the stat probe to the bottom of the heat mat today and change his daylight bulb to an infrared that can run constantly. The water dish is right next to where the heat mat ends so the mat doesn't do much, especially since the dish is a pretty heavy piece of stone. However, the light source is pretty much right above the water dish. After sleeping and waking up I noticed the red light on the thermostat still hasn't shut off. Hopefully moving the probe will alleviate this issue. Since adding the foil humidity has been at a steady 50-60%. Sweet deal :)

Do you think a 50W Infrared will be enough? I grabbed a 100W but got home and saw that my lamp can only handle up to 65, so I'm gonna head back to the store and switch em

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I'm using a75 watt heat bulb,not basking light but a heat bulb for heat.. I use a reg one during the day and a red at night,both 75 watts. I have a 20 gallon and my temps are all on the money as well as humidity.

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

I'm talking about the part that reads,the probe/ thermometer etc... As for the probe spots,I really don't think it matters,as long as ur temps are right.

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The tape sure matters ;)
How bout you use the little search box in the top right and find all the posts "how do I get my snake unstuck"

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Originally Posted by Dev_DeCoste

Sweet, got about 90% of that all set. Going to tape the stat probe to the bottom of the heat mat today and change his daylight bulb to an infrared that can run constantly. The water dish is right next to where the heat mat ends so the mat doesn't do much, especially since the dish is a pretty heavy piece of stone. However, the light source is pretty much right above the water dish. After sleeping and waking up I noticed the red light on the thermostat still hasn't shut off. Hopefully moving the probe will alleviate this issue. Since adding the foil humidity has been at a steady 50-60%. Sweet deal :)

Do you think a 50W Infrared will be enough? I grabbed a 100W but got home and saw that my lamp can only handle up to 65, so I'm gonna head back to the store and switch em

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60 watt infra red should be fine.

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Cool! Thanks bud.

So I'm just about to tear the tank apart for cleaning and re-set up properly. Currently I have a background taped onto the inside of the tank that I would like to remove. I have that Wipe-Out stuff (little blue bottle of terrarium cleaner) that I'm going to use to clean the whole tank. Do you think this will do a sufficient job at removing the tape residue from where the tape was holding the BG up? Or should I get some goo-gone to use on there first?

Thanks for all the help y'all! Me and certainly my B-P really appreciate it!!

90% rubbing alcohol removes glue residue great :gj:

So no store near me has foil tape in stock right now. Are there any other alternatives? I have duct tape, tin foil... erm....glue. Hahah

Every hardware store has it and Walmart sometimes.

Alright! Ace hardware comin in clutch. Since I'm using 90% iso to remove 3-4 tape spots, should I rinse the whole tank out in my bath tub after using the wipe out?
Might be tricky with the heat mat on there... Working on everything right now.

Also noticed real cloudy eyes when I took my guy out for the cleaning. Looks like I either chose the best or worst possible time to clean everything up for him. See if he jumps at me.. :P

I would definitely rinse it out... just don't get the bottom of the tank wet where the mat is.
It's possible I've done it!!!

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Okay... So I just cleaned it twice and wiped it real good cuz I didn't want to keep him out of his tank for too long... Here's the new set-up, how's it look?

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/1417/iury.jpg

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/1092/3x4s.jpg


Im hoping there's enough space between the warm hide and his water bowl for a shed
http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/5806/eapj.jpg


Final product:
http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/5306/8id0.jpg


Thermostat is reading mid-70's but heat mat says it's at temp at 90 degrees. I have much less substrate on the bottom than I did before. I didn't realize I put the terrarium mat under the newspaper under the substrate in my last set up lol. Talk about the heat having trouble rising. Anyway, hopefully this new set up works well for Starvin Marvin. I also upgraded his 50W daylight to a 60W Infrared so I can run it 24/7 and ditched the tropical mist for regular water.

Everything look sufficient? :)

I'm not sure what you mean by the thermostat is reading mid 70's?
What are you using to take temps?
Setup looks good though

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Get a temp gun..I just got one,it's a great thing. I'd set the hygrometer about dead center of the tank and about 4 inches from the bottom up...it's going to be more humid on the cool side and a lot more dry on the warm side. That's all common sense.. So to put it in the middle will give you more of an. I curate reading,plus I also believe you want it at that height cause that's basically where your snake will be dwelling,you BP that is. I don't have a thermometer strip on the coo cool side,not necessary,IMO....I have a thermos strip on the hot side,about dead center of the hot spot from the end of the tank over,which my hot spot is appx 1/3 the tank and again I have it set about 4" from the bottom up as well. My UTH is also set on my hot side,my hot spot is around 86-90 on avg... So I'd set your lamp over more to your hot spot,cause dead center is going to distribute heat evenly and you won't necessarily have a hot spot and it will also make keeping humidity up harder,especially since you like me,have aspen in your tank.

ths is my set up
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/...ps17fc29b9.jpg

The air temp petco thingy was mid 70's but its up to 80 now. Everything is falling into play. 50-60% humidity

Actually looking at your set up,being u have your lamp above your water,will cause it to evaporate and cause humidity,but not sure still how it will affect your tan have a hot and cool side

I figured since the right side has the heat mat that's the hotter side and since the overhead heat source is in the middle I figured it would disburse heat evenly with the hot side being a little bit hotter than the rest from the heat mat.

Made sense to me.. Warped logic on my part?

The heat pad will only heat the hot spot..will not affect the air or temperature of your tank....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dev_DeCoste

I figured since the right side has the heat mat that's the hotter side and since the overhead heat source is in the middle I figured it would disburse heat evenly with the hot side being a little bit hotter than the rest from the heat mat.

Made sense to me.. Warped logic on my part?

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I only have my snakes for about 3 months,but have done a lot of messing around with bulbs and watts and heat matts and placement to find wh s right for my tank etc....what I am telling u is what I have for me..my temps all around are perfect and where they should be..my snake has shed one time every month,great sheds,is eating and growing and is never out,cause he's comfortable in his hide,I take him out every 2-3 days and he's never burnt or anything,is very active and nosey and has add like me,lol,he don't stop moving,plus I have a few ppl here that I private message with questions if I need help. Like I state,it's just common sense and just doing a little messing around to make things work.i figured most everything out on my own with getting temps and everything good to go.

Actually he's right, with a uth set correctly, the lamp should not be directly over it but more towards the middle...

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Wait, who is he? Me? Or not me? lol

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Originally Posted by Crazymonkee

Actually he's right, with a uth set correctly, the lamp should not be directly over it but more towards the middle...

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If it's centered then he has no hot and cool side...technically..being the mat don't heat the tank,it heats ONE spot! Being centered gives you no hot side,which u say u need,so now u say put the lamp in the middle,lol..just like to disagree to disagree.. That gives u no cool side,it makes the temp of the tank one degree and the mat leaves u with a hot spot..idk why u are so set in one way of doing things,lol,it's ridiculous..I know people with all types of set ups..this is a tank,not the plains of Africa...keep one side hot and one side cooler,it's that simple...now also if u set you lamp in the middle it can dry the tank out quicker making it harder to keep up humidity as well... Heat mat does not heat the tank,what don't you get????it heats a spot,that's all one spot...to have a cool side and a hot side it's common sense,which u seem to lack,to put the lamp towards the hot side..but in general to the OP,do whatever works best for you and your snake,lrg of people set up differently..it's about at works for your tank and your pet..best of luck,I'm done here with this pain in the back woman debating everything I say,get a life and worry about getting your car fixed,not everything I post

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Originally Posted by Dev_DeCoste

Wait, who is he? Me? Or not me? lol

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You are

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

If it's centered then he has no hot and cool side...technically..being the mat don't heat the tank,it heats ONE spot! Being centered gives you no hot side,which u say u need,so now u say put the lamp in the middle,lol..just like to disagree to disagree.. That gives u no cool side,it makes the temp of the tank one degree and the mat leaves u with a hot spot..idk why u are so set in one way of doing things,lol,it's ridiculous..I know people with all types of set ups..this is a tank,not the plains of Africa...keep one side hot and one side cooler,it's that simple...now also if u set you lamp in the middle it can dry the tank out quicker making it harder to keep up humidity as well... Heat mat does not heat the tank,what don't you get????it heats a spot,that's all one spot...to have a cool side and a hot side it's common sense,which u seem to lack,to put the lamp towards the hot side..but in general to the OP,do whatever works best for you and your snake,lrg of people set up differently..it's about at works for your tank and your pet..best of luck,I'm done here with this pain in the back woman debating everything I say,get a life and worry about getting your car fixed,not everything I post

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If the hot spot is 90 on the surface from using the uth correctly, it does nothing for the ambient temps, therefore the lamp ups the ambient, it puts a slow gradient rather than hot to cold.
if its all on one side you literally have a hot side and a cold side.
Instead of arguing you could listen
:)

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