Problem with Thermostat

Hi all,
So recently I said that I'd never had a problem with the set up of my heat mat and thermostat... What a stupid thing to say because now I have a problem! For some reason, the only temps I can get my mat to sit at are 29°C and 36°C, which is obviously not good. I'm not quite sure why it's doing it, or how to fix it. It seems even if I move the stat even a tiny bit it suddenly shoots up from 29-36. Obviously at the moment I have it turned down so not to burn her (And I've checked her belly and she's fine).

Here's the thermostat we have. It's a Microclimate ministat 300 (We're from the UK):
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2fdea273be.jpg

Here's the mat set up. The termostat probe is under the tack (It's non-toxic and fine for snakes) and next to it is a thermometer probe.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...67300848_n.jpg

And here is a close up of the probes.The blue residue is more tack:

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...95151422_n.jpg

What should I do? Should I just go and buy a more expensive thermostat? We've had this one since we got Wanda (so since September) and it's been no problem but for some reason suddenly it's a problem. Does the stat probe need to move? I have been told that it should go outside the tank, but that was aimed at glass bottomed or plastic tubs, and ours is wooden so I'm confused about it? Please help!

Yeah none of that should be in the enclosure. Probe might be damaged from fluids......

Where should I put it then?

I am sure a dozen responses are inbound, but no heating element INSIDE cage, probe shouldnt be inside cage, should be sandwiched between the heating element and the outside wall of the tank. Also, no glue or tape inside tank. Please read caresheets!

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Originally Posted by skiajl6297

I am sure a dozen responses are inbound, but no heating element INSIDE cage, probe shouldnt be inside cage, should be sandwiched between the heating element and the outside wall of the tank. Also, no glue or tape inside tank. Please read caresheets!

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I have read the caresheets thank you, and I have done research into TACK which is fine inside of cages. If the heating element and probes should be OUTSIDE, where should I put it?? I've asked this now three times and would really appreciate being told how I should fix it instead of just being told it's wrong and to take it out.

Sorry I should have said, read and then follow the caresheets. For an illustration please see post #2 here:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...247796-Heating

In addition there are some great stickies under the husbandry section.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-With-Pictures!

You have a wooden enclosure as you have already stated.
You pretty much left the only choice to trash the heat mat and go with a radient heat panel....

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

You have a wooden enclosure as you have already stated.
You pretty much left the only choice to trash the heat mat and go with a radient heat panel....

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Pit - I assume you're saying that since it would be difficult to get the heat through the wood if the UTH is properly placed on the outside? I imagine the UTH would have to be at a temp that exceeds what it's rated for.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by skiajl6297

Sorry I should have said, read and then follow the caresheets. For an illustration please see post #2 here:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...247796-Heating

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Thank for taking the time to link this, but it dosen't help as I have a wooden floor in my viv which would not let though enough heat.

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Originally Posted by Booper

Thank for taking the time to link this, but it dosen't help as I have a wooden floor in my viv which would not let though enough heat.

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Is the floor of your viv wood or is there glass sitting on the wood?


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by BPGator

Is the floor of your viv wood or is there glass sitting on the wood?


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It's solid wood. Would investing in a sheet of glass or plastic to make a fake floor be a good idea?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Booper

It's solid wood. Would investing in a sheet of glass or plastic to make a fake floor be a good idea?

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I do not know the whys of why you went with a wooden viv, but life will be much easier, cheaper, and safer if you go with a traditional tub or tank set up. The effort and money to make a wooden viv work for a ball is just not worth it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Booper

It's solid wood. Would investing in a sheet of glass or plastic to make a fake floor be a good idea?

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That's what I was thinking. If you can get glass or PVC cut to fit, you can sandwich your UTH and thermostat probe between the wood and the sheet. You'll want to seal the edges to avoid any liquid seeping under. You'd also want to run the cables through the side rather than up the way you have them. One drawback is it would be difficult to replace the UTH or probe if needed. Just a thought - may be more trouble than it's worth.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by BPGator

That's what I was thinking. If you can get glass or PVC cut to fit, you can sandwich your UTH and thermostat probe between the wood and the sheet. You'll want to seal the edges to avoid any liquid seeping under. You'd also want to run the cables through the side rather than up the way you have them. One drawback is it would be difficult to replace the UTH or probe if needed. Just a thought - may be more trouble than it's worth.


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I'm thinking now, my local pet store sells a 'cover' for a heatmat, which is supposed to make using heat mats safe in wooden vivs. If I could fit a probe under it as well, would that work? It would create a sort of 'step' in the viv, but that shouldn't be a problem, should it?

Edit: I'm now double thinking (Dangerous, I know) but maybe if I got some of that plastic sheeting (I'm not sure what it's called, like shower curtain material?) and hot glued that down over the heat mat to create a watertight seal, would that work? Hot glue would come off pretty easy I think if you pulled on it.

If you do decide to go this route, I'd say something thick enough that your snake couldn't push the probe around (shower curtain material seems too thin and would allow the snake to put force directly on the probe). It should be sealed on the edges so liquid doesn't get underneath. It should also be well secured so there's no way your snake could move it.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by BPGator

If you do decide to go this route, I'd say something thick enough that your snake couldn't push the probe around (shower curtain material seems too thin and would allow the snake to put force directly on the probe). It should be sealed on the edges so liquid doesn't get underneath. It should also be well secured so there's no way your snake could move it.


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That's a good point. I've never really had a problem with Wanda moving the thermostat, but I'll keep it in mind.

Think about the fact that a heat mat has to have some airflow. Not a lot but some.........
Again you are looking for a fix that may cost you more money trying and still have to spend more money to do it right.
Good luck to you.