Need help with a uth. Tia.

Ok, I finally switched one of my girls over to a uth, and done away with the heat lamp. I have the thermometer probe stuck to the underside of the tank in between the uth and glass. It's staying right around 85*, my question is I've read on here something about a thermostat to regulate the temperature, but I didn't see any today at petsmart, so my question is, do I really need one? Especially since the temps seem to be sticking in a good range or do I really need one? If so please give me some recommendations. Thanks!

Most chain pet stores, especially Petsmart :rolleyes: will not carry thermostats. Yes you need one. Here is Hydrofarm, it's cheap and reliable. Here are Herpstats, much more expensive but they are great. And just for good measure here is Johnsons, I have one of these and it works very well for the price.

If you thermometer probe isn't even inside the enclosure, how do you measure temps inside?

Yes yes yes! You need one. What if your UTH goes on the fritz and heats up to 110? What if your room gets colder and you want your UTH to kick on a little higher? You want something to regulate that sucker. This or this is what you're looking for... since PetSmart and other local chains don't seem to carry them.

Also, 85deg seems a little low for a heat mat, especially when you want a basking temperature of 90 within the cage. Was that the first reading, or has it been that cool for a while?

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Originally Posted by Skittles1101

Most chain pet stores, especially Petsmart :rolleyes: will not carry thermostats. Yes you need one. Here is Hydrofarm, it's cheap and reliable. Here are Herpstats, much more expensive but they are great. And just for good measure here is Johnsons, I have one of these and it works very well for the price.

If you thermometer probe isn't even inside the enclosure, how do you measure temps inside?

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Thanks.
I read you're supposed to put the thermometer probe between the uth and the glass flooring, is that wrong?

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Originally Posted by thejennabird

Yes yes yes! You need one. What if your UTH goes on the fritz and heats up to 110? What if your room gets colder and you want your UTH to kick on a little higher? You want something to regulate that sucker. This or this is what you're looking for... since PetSmart and other local chains don't seem to carry them.

Also, 85deg seems a little low for a heat mat, especially when you want a basking temperature of 90 within the cage. Was that the first reading, or has it been that cool for a while?

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It's been on for about 2 hours so far, right now it's reading 85.2.
How does thermostat work is it something I plug uth into or what? I'm sorry I'm new to the whole thing.
The room she's in stays right around 70-75 degrees constantly, but now I'm really worried over this uth! [emoji20]

Well, if it's outside the tank you can't properly measure the temps inside, which is the most important thing. When you have a thermostat, that probe should be secured to the UTH. It regulates the temperature of the thermostat, so that you can maintain the temps inside the tank measure by the thermometer. Your UTH should be much hotter than 85, the store bought UTHs are known to reach ridiculously high temps, as well as having hot spots. I'd get a thermostat as soon as you can, and I'd make sure your thermometer is properly reading temps because 85 doesn't sound right.

Also, when you have your thermostat, you will most likely have to set it at a higher temperature than you want inside the enclosure. I know in my racks, my thermostats are set to (an average) of 92-98 in order to maintain the temps i need inside the tubs. It's a trial and error kind of thing. Room temps also mess with them, so you'll have to account for that. Luckily mine have their own room, or else my temps would be different.

Your UTH should be mounted on the outside of the glass, and the thermometer needs to be inside the tank above the UTH. Plug the UTH into the thermostat which will basically be a resistor because you're plugging the thermostat into the wall.

Yes you need one.

You plug the tstat into the wall and then the uth into the tstat. You then set the tstat for the desired temperature. The tstat then sends juice to the uth to keep it at the set temperature.

Cheap tstats are simple on/off types. This means they control the uth by just turning off and on as need be to keep your temps. These are not the best as they are not as steady.

The higher end tstats will have a proportional option that sends juice to the uth constantly but only enough to keep the uth at the set temp. These are the best option but are the most expensive.

Anything you find at the big box stores are pretty much junk and way out dated technology. I second Herpstat as I have four and have never had an issue.

The tstat is the most important thing you will buy for your collection so buy the best you can. Do it right the first time and it will last you forever.

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Originally Posted by Skittles1101

Well, if it's outside the tank you can't properly measure the temps inside, which is the most important thing. When you have a thermostat, that probe should be secured to the UTH. It regulates the temperature of the thermostat, so that you can maintain the temps inside the tank measure by the thermometer. Your UTH should be much hotter than 85, the store bought UTHs are known to reach ridiculously high temps, as well as having hot spots. I'd get a thermostat as soon as you can, and I'd make sure your thermometer is properly reading temps because 85 doesn't sound right.

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Ok maybe that was my misunderstanding I thought it was the thermometer probe. I have analog thermometers inside the tank along with hygrometer for inside readings.

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Originally Posted by Zephyr

Your UTH should be mounted on the outside of the glass, and the thermometer needs to be inside the tank above the UTH. Plug the UTH into the thermostat which will basically be a resistor because you're plugging the thermostat into the wall.

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Uth is outside, under her warm hide. My thermometer is wired so that's not safe to have inside the tank with her?

Yeah, it can be a confusing concept. Basically your thermostat will have a thermometer probe already attached to it. This is how the thermostat knows what temperature the UTH is. Then you use a separate thermometer inside the tank, on top of where the UTH is attached. This is how you know what temperature your snake is!

Somebody should probably draft up a diagram of this whole kerfuffle so it's easier to understand what goes where and why!

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Originally Posted by megan8706

Uth is outside, under her warm hide. My thermometer is wired so that's not safe to have inside the tank with her?

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You can have wires in the tank.

Instead of replying to everyone individually...
Herpstat is a good one to get?
Should I unplug this until I get one or would it be ok to keep a close eye on the temp readings?
I don't want to hurt my girl.
And thanks so much for all input.

The most common suggestion is just to unplug it until you get a thermostat to regulate temps. Herpstat is a high-end, very good, very reliable choice that will last the life of your snake. Hydrofarm is a budget alternative that also comes highly recommended.

Edit: Also, I'm still concerned that either your UTH isn't running properly, or your thermometer isn't reading it right. 85 is too low! Once you've got things readjusted I'd take some extra thermometer readings just to see what might be going on.

Yes to both.

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Originally Posted by thejennabird

Yeah, it can be a confusing concept. Basically your thermostat will have a thermometer probe already attached to it. This is how the thermostat knows what temperature the UTH is. Then you use a separate thermometer inside the tank, on top of where the UTH is attached. This is how you know what temperature your snake is!

Somebody should probably draft up a diagram of this whole kerfuffle so it's easier to understand what goes where and why!

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Thanks, too much confusion! I think I've got it now. I will order her a herpstat!

[/QUOTE]Edit: Also, I'm still concerned that either your UTH isn't running properly, or your thermometer isn't reading it right. 85 is too low! Once you've got things readjusted I'd take some extra thermometer readings just to see what might be going on.[/QUOTE]
I think it may be where it's not been on too long.

UTH can get really hot, My Zilla UTH with no regulation is 130 F it hurt to hold my hand on the glass I'm sure it could easily burn a Snake.

Sent from my SGH-T999

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Originally Posted by Lady mkrj58

UTH can get really hot, My Zilla UTH with no regulation is 130 F it hurt to hold my hand on the glass I'm sure it could easily burn a Snake.

Sent from my SGH-T999

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Yea I know, I moved the thermometer probe to where it should be and had her out of the cage and it hit 110. Now until my herpstat comes in she has no heat at night, and I closely monitor it when it's on during the day. If I leave it's uplugged, I don't want to harm my girl in any way shape or form.

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Originally Posted by megan8706

If I leave it's uplugged, I don't want to harm my girl in any way shape or form.

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You are still running it unregulated?

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

You are still running it unregulated?

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Not constantly if that's what u mean, I only run it when I'm home and have a constant eye on it. I only let it hit about 85* then I unplug it.

A 10 dollar way to get you by is a lamp dimmer and watch it close until u dial in were it needs to be

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Originally Posted by frostysBP

A 10 dollar way to get you by is a lamp dimmer and watch it close until u dial in were it needs to be

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I can vouch for this option. I'm using one on a CHE until my thermostat arrives later this week. Still needs to be closely monitored, but I would suspect far less than it would if you actually cut all power by unplugging it. I make minor adjustments maybe 3-5 times a day depending on whether or not the windows are open, or the A/C is running. It's really not too bad, but I honestly can't wait till that new thermostat arrives :)

I see many of u guys mentioned Hydrofarm. Is this a good one to get? I know that herpstat is better, but i cant afford to pay $100 right now. I have my UTH on a rheostat atm.

If your watching cost the one you mentioned is the way to go..
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Sent from my SGH-T999

Is the Ve hobbystat a better choice tho?