Thermostat probe problem..

[GiddyGoat]

So, before I knew that generally people put the thermostat probe under the tank in between the UTH and glass I sorta... stuck the UTH on already... this was not recently, and I had not even joined the forum yet.

Now my t-stat probe is IN the enclosure, because I was afraid of peeling the UTH back and damaging it, and resting under some heavier décor right above the center of my heat mat because I was ALSO worried about hot glue not actually being safe (even though I've read it is). The wire is run under other objects (not squished of course, but enough to keep it down) so that there really isn't any way to slither over it. But this still really concerns me... you never know what could happen.

Should've posted this thread earlier but I thought it would be okay and I was really nervous about criticism since I was new. But I'm second guessing myself and I want the best for my snake... so what do I do? Any help is appreciated.

[Godzilla78]

Get someone to help you, take out the snake, clean out the "furniture", flip the tank over, peel the UnderTankHeater back, and tape the probe to the center area of where the heat mat will be. put the heat mat back, use tape or not as needed.

If you are worried about the probe getting "crushed", you can put the tank back on top of a thin, soft layer (foam, metallic bubblewrap insulation, cardboard, you get the idea.)

[cletus]

I wouldn't put the probe in the enclosure. If the snake pees on it or the water bowl tips, it could cool the probe down to the point where the thermostat heats the UTH up enough to burn your snake.

[GiddyGoat]

Thank you. Will any tape do or do you recommend a specific type? Also I'm not worried about it being crushed, There is soooo much room under my tank due to the stand I have. Thank you for that info too though.

[GiddyGoat]

I wouldn't put the probe in the enclosure. If the snake pees on it or the water bowl tips, it could cool the probe down to the point where the thermostat heats the UTH up enough to burn your snake.

Yeah that's what I was worried about it. It's under stuff so idk if he could directly pee on it but pee can spread and so can water (or any liquid for that matter)so it seemed a little risky.

[cletus]

I use a little piece of electrical tape to secure the probe to the heat source. I just tape the tip and then use a stronger tape to secure the length of the probe cable to the side of my rack so it doesn't pull out.

[cletus]

Yeah that's what I was worried about it. It's under stuff so idk if he could directly pee on it but pee can spread and so can water (or any liquid for that matter)so it seemed a little risky.

Yeah it doesn't take long at all for that thermostat to crank the heat up when the probe goes cold. You snake can get burned before it even knows the heat source is hot enough.

[Godzilla78]

Any good tape you have. I am a fan of the thick packing tape, it sticks well, and is wide and tough. I use it to secure insulation, heating equipment and such.

* (of course I never put any tape IN the tank, as I have read it is dangerous to the snake.)

[Godzilla78]

Copious amounts of packing tape on my terrarium. The heating equipment itself is not visible, (I swear there is an UTH and probe under there!) but you can see how I secured the insulation to the tank (double-layered for winter energy efficiency) using the packing tape.

[GiddyGoat]

I use a little piece of electrical tape to secure the probe to the heat source. I just tape the tip and then use a stronger tape to secure the length of the probe cable to the side of my rack so it doesn't pull out.

Any good tape you have. I am a fan of the thick packing tape, it sticks well, and is wide and tough. I use it to secure insulation, heating equipment and such.

* (of course I never put any tape IN the tank, as I have read it is dangerous to the snake.)

I don't think I have electrical tape, but I do that thick packing tape. Are you sure that the packing tape will be able to withstand the temps of the heatpad? (of course it will be regulated). If this is offensive I'm sorry, just want to make sure.