Probe placement

I'm sure this has been answered somewhere, but I couldn't find it.

I notice a big difference between the temperatures when I tape my probe down to the bottom of the tub and when I just place it in there under the substrate. This makes sense, I suppose, because when taped, the probe has no contact with the outside air. Which is better in terms of getting an accurate reading of what my BP actually experiences? I have Flexwatt, if that makes a difference to you.

Thanks!

I put the tstat probe on or next to the flexwatt, and for a temp probe i would place it underneath the substrate on the bottom of the tub. But really i advise you to get a tempgun!!! :carrot: Good luck though.

What type of substrate are you currently using?

Newspaper substrate, and my snake tends to move it around accidentally, so the probe is sometimes covered and sometimes exposed.

Because I realize I wasn't clear in the first post, I'm talking here about the thermometer probe. I'm using an Accurite.

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Originally Posted by sophia

Newspaper substrate, and my snake tends to move it around accidentally, so the probe is sometimes covered and sometimes exposed.

Because I realize I wasn't clear in the first post, I'm talking here about the thermometer probe. I'm using an Accurite.

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Understood.... With newspaper its easy just place the probe right under the newspaper. Newspaper doesnt really have any affect on the temp like aspen or cypress does.

I use Aspen with my KSB. How does it affect temperatures?

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Originally Posted by sophia

I use Aspen with my KSB. How does it affect temperatures?

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Well it holds a lot of the heat, where newspaper and paper towels dont. So thats why when your using aspen its a good idea to fluff it up a little bit so it doesnt hold so much of the heat in. Or dont have it to thick on the floor you know what i mean? I hope this makes sense.

I was wondering about that too. The temp under the warm hide is only reading 88 degrees. The probe is laying on top of the aspen, so not sure what the actual surface temp is without a temp gun (which i'm ordering). I know that the probe is just giving me the air temp where it's at, do you think the surface temp is much higher? I can't make adjustments til I get home from work, and I don't want to get the thermometer reading over 90 degrees to find out that the actual surface temp is way too high. The cool side is reading 84, so there is not a huge gradient.

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Originally Posted by waltah!

I was wondering about that too. The temp under the warm hide is only reading 88 degrees. The probe is laying on top of the aspen, so not sure what the actual surface temp is without a temp gun (which i'm ordering). I know that the probe is just giving me the air temp where it's at, do you think the surface temp is much higher? I can't make adjustments til I get home from work, and I don't want to get the thermometer reading over 90 degrees to find out that the actual surface temp is way too high. The cool side is reading 84, so there is not a huge gradient.

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Do you have something controlling your heat source ? tstat, dimmer, etc... What are you using for a heat source Heat mat? lamps? etc...

Congrats on opting for the temp gun.... I live by them.

I agree with Juddb, I tape the thermostat probe directly to the flexwatt heat tape and then adjust the thermostat according to the readings I get with my temp gun. You want the temps to be correct where the snake spends it's time (on top of the substrate) which is going to be several degree colder then directly on the heat tape, but you'll have more stable temps if you tape the probe directly to the heat tape.

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Originally Posted by MarkS

I agree with Juddb, I tape the thermostat probe directly to the flexwatt heat tape and then adjust the thermostat according to the readings I get with my temp gun. You want the temps to be correct where the snake spends it's time (on top of the substrate) which is going to be several degree colder then directly on the heat tape, but you'll have more stable temps if you tape the probe directly to the heat tape.

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But the only thing with me is that some of my racks dont act right if i place the tstat probe right on the flexwatt, with helix on my 15qt rack i have to have the probe right next to the flexwatt not touching it....Wierd :confused: i know. Otherwise yes tempguns are really the way to go.

I have it on thermostat with digital thermometer/hygro. I'm using a small ceramic heater in the room to keep the room temp up as it has gotten cold here in Mass. I'm using an appropriately sized heat mat on the thermostat. He just ate last night, so I want to make sure it's warm enough for him. He's been a champ so far. Only just got a week and a half ago and he has maintained his previous eating schedule of Sundays. I was leaving him alone the first week, but decided to try and feed and he tore it up right away.

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Originally Posted by waltah!

I have it on thermostat with digital thermometer/hygro. I'm using a small ceramic heater in the room to keep the room temp up as it has gotten cold here in Mass. I'm using an appropriately sized heat mat on the thermostat. He just ate last night, so I want to make sure it's warm enough for him. He's been a champ so far. Only just got a week and a half ago and he has maintained his previous eating schedule of Sundays. I was leaving him alone the first week, but decided to try and feed and he tore it up right away.

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So your thermometer probe is sitting under the substrate? Or on top? Also what are your current temps and humidity? Its important that your temps are up to par especially after a meal, otherwise you may have regurge problems etc.... Good luck :salute:

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Originally Posted by juddb

So your thermometer probe is sitting under the substrate? Or on top? Also what are your current temps and humidity? Its important that your temps are up to par especially after a meal, otherwise you may have regurge problems etc.... Good luck :salute:

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The probe is on top of the substrate currently. The temps from my last update (my girlfriends text messages his temps and humidity) are 88 under the warm hide and 84 on the cool side with humidity at 52%. She upped the thermostat a bit, so we'll see what happens. I'd think from past experience he should be fine at those levels until I get home in a couple of hours. She said he is under his warm hide (of course:) BTW, thanks Judd!

What kind of temp gun do you recommend and how much do they typically run? Sounds like it may be an investment to think about.

Well i have a few different kind, but if you go tot the pro exotics website or reptile basics website you would be able to get one very affordable. Temp guns range between $20-hundreds of dollars. I personally found a new favorite from extech.... But you decide which one you want.