Safely securing digital probe?

[kiiarah]

Hi everyone,

I have yet another question, I was just reading a blog entry by someone whose digital thermometer probe came loose from the tank, causing the thermostat to just keep heating and heating since it was no longer secured to the heat pad. Those of you that have a heat mat and digital probe set up, how do you ensure that it does not come away from the mat and cause temperatures to get too high. The person who wrote the blog found their incubator at 120 degrees after this happened. Any advice? I am concerned because I know my little one likes to knock around the substrate and I could see something like this happening. =/ Any tips?

[Wildwa]

I think most that use under tank heaters have the thermostat probe secured between the mat and the underside of the enclosure, thus making it nearly impossible to come loose. It also give the most accurate reading as there is no chance of it getting wet or otherwise compromised by snake fluids.

[KMG]

Aluminum foil tape is a big help. It is super sticky and resist heat well. Just make sure to only place the tape on the wire directly behind the probe. Placing the tape over the probe can cause heat buildup therefore giving you false readings.

And of course never put the probe inside the tank. Like stated above it goes between the uth and the tank bottom, on the outside.

[kiiarah]

That makes a bit more sense but I read so many things staying to tuck the probe under the substrate. I already put the heat pad on the bottom of the tank and I know that pulling the pad off is a no no. Do you think I could safely wedge it in where the cord comes off of the uth?

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[KMG]

The uth can be removed if you go slow and don't bend it. The easiest way to keep from having this issue is to put foil on the sticky part of the uth then attach it with tape to the tank bottom. This way you can take it off when ever needed without issue.

The thermometer probe can go under the substrate not the tstat.

[kiiarah]

So I should be safe then to very carefully peel it back like an inch or two to put the thermostat probe underneath, and I shouldn't have any problems with the mat compromising the integrity of the probe cord?

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[KMG]

Just go slow and don't bend or crease it and it should be fine. I have a few that have been removed and still work fine.

[kiiarah]

Ok that was my only concern, I couldn't think of any very reliable way to secure it under the substrate. Should the probe be placed so only the metal is in contact with the uth mat or should it be farther in?

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[KMG]

I put it dead center and most of my cages have direct pressure making the tstat probe lay on the uth. No issues there.

For placing a thermometer probe on the cage floor hot glue is a good option as its semi rigid yet easy to remove for cleaning.

[kiiarah]

Is it considered equally accurate to secure it to the bottom of the heat pad? I have seen some set ups with the probe secured on the bottom of the UTH with foil tape or electrical tape, which I think I would prefer to do if there is no accuracy difference. I have electrical tape but wasn't sure if covering it with tape could somehow alter the reading. I do have the digital probe secured to the glass under the substrate so I was sort of thinking that even if it did cause it to read higher than it is, I can always compare to that and adjust as needed, but wanted to get some feedback from members here in case there is something I am not considering. I am just scared to mess with the heat pad still, I have no experience with them and am concerned that I might mess up and damage something, even if I do try to go slow. I would have to have my husband hold the tank up while I partially removed it and I could easily see someone moving wrong and accidentally forcing it. It is a 30 gallon and surprisingly heavy. : /