heat building in tub

[stevepoppers]

Ok, I have a question tonight. I've got 2 41 qt. Sterilite tubs with 11" wide flexwatt across the back of both. I've got a Reptitemp 500R (possibly the problem) controlling the Flexwatt. No matter what I do, heat seems to build up in the tubs. I watch the temps for a few hours, adjusting, keeping it stable at 92 or 93, and by the same time the next day, they're moving beyond 95. I'm using all the standard stuff. AccuRite thermo/hydrometer. I've put one directly on the heat tape and I swear it doesn't get over 83. I'm still adjusting it. Meanwhile, the cool side ambient temp is around 70. The thermostat probe is taped directly onto the heat tape. Is it just the nature of the tubs? What could be wrong?

I've got my eye on a spyder robotics herpstat, but rent and school are the priority right now.

[mpkeelee]

the repti-temp has worked fine for me. only fluctuate by about 5*. it wont stay right at 92 cuz its not proportional, it will turn on and off. do u have holes in ur tubs to let air circulate.?

[mechnut450]

use the 41 qt tubs and 11" flexwatt with a johnson tstat. I not have much problems I set the felx to the back and place the 2 probes sids by side and tampe them down to the flex and set tub on top. I got mine set ot kick on at 92 and off at 97 ( which by time heats the platice up give a nice temp of about 94-95 inside. ) I drilled about 1/8-1/4 holes all around and 4 in thtop 9 and tape most back up so I can adjust as I need (mainly taping up to hold humidty )

[DrEwTiMe]

I can tell you from experience that the herpstat is a great great product, i was just posting in the other topic about how great they are and after 4 years having nothing but great things to say about it. I woudl be carefull and keep a CLOSE eye on your hides and for not put some holes in them to try and help as much as possible. But over 95+ is boraderline unsafe for the snake to be laying on. Coming from someone who has gone through the thermal burns route its better to just spring for the herpstat now before you feel like a terrible owner when you baby gets hurt. I know i felt like a real jerk when my girl got burnt.

[stevepoppers]

I have holes, but I guess I may need more. Thanks guys.

[Kaorte]

Where is your thermostat probe?

I have a reptitemp on some 11" flexwatt and it holds temps just fine. It never moves more then a degree or two in either direction.

I have my probe taped to the flexwatt but open to the air (similarly to how it would be in a rack setup, no tub on top of the probe though).

Having the air flow over the probe might help.

[stevepoppers]

Simple answer:

See it down between the tubs, taped right onto the flexwatt with nothing over it?

This is under my bed and I don't have that many holes, though the room temperature is around 70 and I'm fighting that. Right now, the temperatures are actually low, but I'm sure they'll keep going.

[mechnut450]

MAN GET THAT FLEXWATT OFF THE FLOOR NOW!!!! I can only imanage the yellnig you get if it burns the carpet ( I melted 2 3" wide stripes and the vinyl floor they sat on and it was on a tstat . I got a lot of yelling that day I was lucky cause they burnt out as the melted so they didn't keep burning the floor/wood of the cage.

if you only got the 2 snakes and got some simple basic building skills make a small rack (that at east 8 inches off the floor this will help with the temp changes(drafts ) and such..

[stevepoppers]

That sounds like an extraordinary case, but I'll consider it. The carpet's already got a couple of holes from a CHE. I think I'll work on putting holes all the way around first. I'm hiding from my landlord and couldn't have a proper rack. At the very least, I'll put them up on some plywood or something. It just seems to me that if the thermostat goes, I'll be screwed no matter where the flexwatt is.

[Danounet]

That sounds like an extraordinary case, but I'll consider it. The carpet's already got a couple of holes from a CHE. I think I'll work on putting holes all the way around first. I'm hiding from my landlord and couldn't have a proper rack. At the very least, I'll put them up on some plywood or something. It just seems to me that if the thermostat goes, I'll be screwed no matter where the flexwatt is.

Get one of these melamine boards at home depot. They are 2 x 4 and cost around $8.