Thermostat/thermometer different temps?

I have set up the tub the way that is shown here http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...my-Ball-Python

The issue I am having is that the thermostat and thermometer read at very different levels. I tested both and they are accurate. Is it because the thermostat is directly on the heat pad where as the probe for the thermometer is on top of the substrate? Currently the thermometer is at 89, but the thermostat is at 98.

Is this normal or am I doing something incorrectly? I have the thermostat turned up because I want the warm side to sit around 90, when I have the actual thermostat at 90 the thermometer on the substrate reads at 81ish.

Any ideas?

Yes that is normal. The thicker the material the heat has to travel through the more heat you will lose. Everything is close to correct but the thermometer probe should be on the bottom of the tub, under the substrate. Also your substrate should be thin, 1/4 inch range. This will allow you to keep the tstat set at a lower temp and keep your snake safe no matter if it lays on top of the thin layer of substrate or moves the substrate and lays directly on the tub floor.

Substrate is currently just 3 sheets of newspaper and I have the temp probe in the middle. I can move it to the bottom if that is better though.

It may not make much of a difference with newspaper but I would move it. The reason you want to know the floor of the tub is you need to know what the hottest temp available that the snake could reach. This way no matter where the snake goes the temps are safe.

The floor will be a bit warmer than the top, so should I increase the heat a bit to make it warmer, or just leave it as is?

As long as the temp is within range you could leave it. 90 on the floor and 88 on top is just fine.

Thank you so much! I was not able to sleep because I was stressing that he was either going to fry to a crisp or be too cold overnight *sigh*.

I am now having the opposite issue. The thermostat is set at 91, but the probe under the substrate is reading at 97, when I put the probe ontop of the substrate it is reading at 89-91. Is this safe? Substrate is newspaper so I doubt he can get under it.

How many sheets of newspaper are you using?

I guarantee the snake can and eventually will get under the newspaper. When It does it will think its the greatest hide ever.

There is like maybe 6 now? The reason he won't get under is because there is stuff in the cage that keeps the edges down, hides and whatnot.

I think I may have figured it out. My probe for the thermostat was on the edge of the mat, I retaped it to the middle of the mat and it is getting a more accurate reading now.

When the actual (thermometer measured) temperature is higher than your thermostat's set point it means that the probe is likely not in contact with the warmest part of your heating device. The thermostat is probably starting to read the cooler air temperatures around the heating device and trying to make up for it by sending additional power to your heater. My first check would be thermostat position and/or security (make sure it's where it's supposed to be and that it doesn't move). If that all seems good, as KMG eluded to above, it could also be that your substrate is acting as an insulator. You don't want to have too much down otherwise it will start to trap heat underneath it.

Keep thinking it cant get under it. They are masters of tight places. You never want to have an area that presents a dangerous situation no matter how much you believe the snake can not reach it.

That said, having to much paper down can also make the uth have to pump out to much heat to reach the top layer. If that happens the area under the newspaper can get very hot and be a dangerous zone. If this is happening you may need to lower the number of sheets you use.

Considering my snake has issues slithering in a straight line at times I kinda doubt he will get under there, but we will see lol. As I said taping it in the middle has made it accurate.

Thanks for the advice!

Believe me or not. Just make sure the temps under the paper is not to hot just in case. I have been a member here a short time compared to some but still have seen plenty of people that did not believe things that ended up putting their snakes at risk or causing them harm.

Considering the hot area is 95 at most I am pretty sure he is safe even if he finds his way under there :)