Thermostat with tubs.

[DaNeal31]

Ok I just fired up my new rack to get it all good before I put my snakes in. What temp do you all keep your tubs at? And what's the number of degree difference between what your thermostat says and the actual temp in the tub? It's recessed heat if that matters.

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[bcr229]

Depends on where the probe is. Some of my tubs the t-stat is set to 86*F for a 90*F hot spot, as measured using a temp gun. On another rack the t-stat is 92*F. You just have to dial it in.

Whatever you do secure the t-stat probe so it can't move.

[DaNeal31]

It's taped directly to the heat tape. My confusion is that while the gun and the thermostat are pretty close the actual temp is not. Thermostat says 105 ish, the gun says that but the thermometer in the tub only says 77.


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[boaguy]

My thermostat is set at 97° puts ambient temp on hot side at 82° Just need to play around to get it at the correct setting.

[DaNeal31]

That's why I fired it up a week early lol. I guess I'm just shocked at the difference in what it's set at and what it actually is.

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[bcr229]

It's taped directly to the heat tape. My confusion is that while the gun and the thermostat are pretty close the actual temp is not. Thermostat says 105 ish, the gun says that but the thermometer in the tub only says 77.

Is there an air gap between the heat tape and the bottom of the tub? Or is there an air gap between the bottom of the tub and the paper you are using as substrate? I've found the best way to get an accurate read is to put something fairly heavy into the tub over the heat tape, to simulate your snake lying on that spot, and then take your temperature readings after a few hours.
Or, if you are using aspen or cypress, have you moved it aside to see what the tub temperature is?

[DaNeal31]

No substrate at all in the tubs now. I just got it and am trying to get it going. Yes there is a gap between the tub and tape. I understand what you mean by putting weight in there but I'm trying for the ambient temp right now. And my snakes are still fairly little.

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[bcr229]

A UTH doesn't increase ambient temperature in the whole tub, it just creates a hot spot for the snake to lie on. If you put a hide over the area you can get a small increase in ambient temp under the hide, but the cool side of the tub will usually match the ambient in the room.

[DaNeal31]

I was told it would up the ambient in the back of the tub?

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[Darkbird]

I was told it would up the ambient in the back of the tub?

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Not really. There might be a small increase in the ambient close to the hotspot, but not much in my experience. Room temperature generally play a big part in what you'll get for tub ambient.