Thermometer Probe Placement

[eMonk]

I currently have the probe position inside my tub between a layer of newspaper.

Would I get an accurate reading if I foil tape it underneath the heat pad outside the tub?

I want to measure how much heat it's omitting. It can't be much off as I am using a tub with 2 layers of newspaper.

[llovelace]

Use paper tape to secure the thermometer to the tub under the paper liner

[Kaorte]

If it is a thermometer probe leave it IN the tub. The thermometer should be measuring the hottest temp that your ball python could reach. Putting it on the outside of the tub will not give you this max reading.

[eMonk]

Thanks ladies. I was curious if there was a way of figuring out how much heat the pad was omitting without having to insert the probe inside the tub.

For example, make sure it's not over 95*F. By the time it gets through the plastic and newspaper it should be around 93*F or so. Not much different just wanted to see if there was a way of checking outside the tub. My female is usually laying right on the probe and I'm sure will start urining on it too so less maintaince in the long run and I don't know how durable they are. I also don't want her body/urine temperature lol.

Use paper tape to secure the thermometer to the tub under the paper liner

paper tape? under paper liner? never heard of these hun...

[Kaorte]

She means use paper tape and tape the probe to the plastic under the newspaper (paper liner).

Paper tape is like low tack artists tape.

If you are using a thermostat and your room temps are relatively stable, you don't have to leave the probe in there forever. I use a rack system and I don't put probes in the tubs anymore because I know the temps are stable. I check them every other day with a heat gun though.

[llovelace]

You could just get a second thermostat with probe, and place it directly on the heat pad.