Thermostat probe problem..

So, before I knew that generally people put the thermostat probe under the tank in between the UTH and glass I sorta... stuck the UTH on already... this was not recently, and I had not even joined the forum yet.

Now my t-stat probe is IN the enclosure, because I was afraid of peeling the UTH back and damaging it, and resting under some heavier décor right above the center of my heat mat because I was ALSO worried about hot glue not actually being safe (even though I've read it is). The wire is run under other objects (not squished of course, but enough to keep it down) so that there really isn't any way to slither over it. But this still really concerns me... you never know what could happen.

Should've posted this thread earlier but I thought it would be okay and I was really nervous about criticism since I was new. But I'm second guessing myself and I want the best for my snake... so what do I do? Any help is appreciated.

Get someone to help you, take out the snake, clean out the "furniture", flip the tank over, peel the UnderTankHeater back, and tape the probe to the center area of where the heat mat will be. put the heat mat back, use tape or not as needed.

If you are worried about the probe getting "crushed", you can put the tank back on top of a thin, soft layer (foam, metallic bubblewrap insulation, cardboard, you get the idea.)

I wouldn't put the probe in the enclosure. If the snake pees on it or the water bowl tips, it could cool the probe down to the point where the thermostat heats the UTH up enough to burn your snake.

Thank you. Will any tape do or do you recommend a specific type? Also I'm not worried about it being crushed, There is soooo much room under my tank due to the stand I have. Thank you for that info too though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cletus

I wouldn't put the probe in the enclosure. If the snake pees on it or the water bowl tips, it could cool the probe down to the point where the thermostat heats the UTH up enough to burn your snake.

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Yeah that's what I was worried about it. It's under stuff so idk if he could directly pee on it but pee can spread and so can water (or any liquid for that matter)so it seemed a little risky.

I use a little piece of electrical tape to secure the probe to the heat source. I just tape the tip and then use a stronger tape to secure the length of the probe cable to the side of my rack so it doesn't pull out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GiddyGoat

Yeah that's what I was worried about it. It's under stuff so idk if he could directly pee on it but pee can spread and so can water (or any liquid for that matter)so it seemed a little risky.

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Yeah it doesn't take long at all for that thermostat to crank the heat up when the probe goes cold. You snake can get burned before it even knows the heat source is hot enough.

Any good tape you have. I am a fan of the thick packing tape, it sticks well, and is wide and tough. I use it to secure insulation, heating equipment and such.

* (of course I never put any tape IN the tank, as I have read it is dangerous to the snake.)

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...a/IMG_0476.jpg

Copious amounts of packing tape on my terrarium. The heating equipment itself is not visible, (I swear there is an UTH and probe under there!) but you can see how I secured the insulation to the tank (double-layered for winter energy efficiency) using the packing tape.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cletus

I use a little piece of electrical tape to secure the probe to the heat source. I just tape the tip and then use a stronger tape to secure the length of the probe cable to the side of my rack so it doesn't pull out.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

Any good tape you have. I am a fan of the thick packing tape, it sticks well, and is wide and tough. I use it to secure insulation, heating equipment and such.

* (of course I never put any tape IN the tank, as I have read it is dangerous to the snake.)

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I don't think I have electrical tape, but I do that thick packing tape. Are you sure that the packing tape will be able to withstand the temps of the heatpad? (of course it will be regulated). If this is offensive I'm sorry, just want to make sure.

Yes, the packing tape will be fine. You will have the heat at no higher than 33 Celsius (~92 F) correct? That is nowhere near hot enough to damage the plastic tape.

Yeah man that should be fine. Like I said, I just secure the tip of the probe to the heat tape and then tape the crap out of it along the side of the rack. You are just securing it enough so it doesn't move around on the heat tape.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

Yes, the packing tape will be fine. You will have the heat at no higher than 33 Celsius (~92 F) correct? That is nowhere near hot enough to damage the plastic tape.

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Yes my thermostat is actually set to exactly 92F right now and producing perfect in tank temps. Perfect. Tomorrow is snake tank maintenance day (have to make the plexiglass cover and stuff) so I will do this then. Thank you so much for the help!

- - - Updated - - -

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cletus

Yeah man that should be fine. Like I said, I just secure the tip of the probe to the heat tape and then tape the crap out of it along the side of the rack. You are just securing it enough so it doesn't move around on the heat tape.

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Perfect, thanks so much, will do this tomorrow

Your snake will be so spoiled, he will be lucky to have you around!:D:cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

Your snake will be so spoiled, he will be lucky to have you around!:D:cool:

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Well he's my one and only snake for most likely a long time (in still in high school and have plans to go to college-my dad already isn't keen on the idea of moving with a reptile lol), so why NOT spoil him? haha. Only the best for Dewey! :P

Unfortunately snake tank day has been delayed until tomorrow afternoon due to schoolwork, injury, and work. Thanks life.

*deeply sighs*

welp, this was just an update post. I'll let you guys know when everything's done! Fortunately, I finally got my sheet of plexiglass that my dad has agreed to helping me fit to the tank tomorrow. Yay!

I did this. Peeled back the uth put the probe in and the damn uth would not stay around the probe. There is a huge air bubble and now the uth is useless. So Taylor (Ttaylorr) suggested styrofoam. I don't know how to link but she drew me a picture in my thread. So basically leave your uth against the glass. Then You make a channel in the styrofoam for the probe and that goes against the uth. You will need another piece on the other side so your tanks sits on the foam pieces. Does that make sense? I wish I could link my thread here.

If you are looking for styrofoam, I just went to Lowes today to pickup some foamboard for my upcoming PVC cage and I found instead that they have this amazing 13" x 4' sheets of 3/4 inch thick styrofoam for around $10 It contains 6 sheets

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Perma-R-Pro...x-4-ft/3014185


So attach the UTH like normal. Take the Probe and use either aluminum tape or electrical tape and attach it to the outside middle of the UTH. Then you sandwich the styrofoam and the stand the tank is on between the UTH and the stand which will press the probe tight against the UTH and provide upward heat insulation for hte UTH. The styrofoam won't burn because you will have it regulated.

Observe my impressive art skills!

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/S95AA06.jpg

Here is the product itself. The table it is on is 4 feet by 2 feet

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/8w64fYZ.jpg

Huh, okay! maybe it's a good thing snake tank day was delayed then lol. Thanks for the advice! I'll see if I can get my dad to get some Styrofoam with me before tomorrow... he doesn't think I need to move the probe even after explaining why I was going to. Thanks again everyone!

Edit: i found your thread!!!!

I am starting to wonder if heat tape like flexwatt is flexible enough to allow the probe between the tank and UTH but heat pads like zoo med are too bulky to do that and are best to attach to the back of the UTH away from the tank and use styrofoam or foamboard.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SDA

I am starting to wonder if heat tape like flexwatt is flexible enough to allow the probe between the tank and UTH but heat pads like zoo med are too bulky to do that and are best to attach to the back of the UTH away from the tank and use styrofoam or foamboard.

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I have 0 knowledge on heat tape, so I can't take a guess. Funny you say that- I hate the zoomed. It's the only one my pet store stocks haha.

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Originally Posted by giddygoat

i have 0 knowledge on heat tape, so i can't take a guess. Funny you say that- i hate the zoomed. It's the only one my pet store stocks haha.

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edit: Holy shiz i meant "have" ahhh

Hi, glad you posted, I'm trying to figure this out too. Don't want probe in tank, and I don't like idea of taping it sandwiched between glass and tank. I picture the heat from the pad loosening the tape, and the probe not working, pad getting too hot. Same possibly (in my mind) if taped to bottom of pad. Another user (in another thread, I don't remember who) suggested using a piece of foam under length of tank, and cutting a channel for the probe to rest in, snug against bottom of uth pad. I'm gonna try this. Craft store has cheap foam boards in different size depths.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GiddyGoat

I don't think I have electrical tape, but I do that thick packing tape. Are you sure that the packing tape will be able to withstand the temps of the heatpad? (of course it will be regulated). If this is offensive I'm sorry, just want to make sure.

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With flexwatt we put the probe on the under-side of the flexwatt, so we don't get an area not in contact with the bottom of the exposure. You have to use a tape that won't be affected by heat, though, and you still have to use spacers under the enclosure to allow space for the probe. Some of the heat mats seem to have insulation on one side, so it wouldn't work with those.


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