Quote Originally Posted by ocean girl View Post
I have a question. I just bought the same tub, how's your temps, because I can't get my cold side higher than 71-72. My hot side it fine.
I also wondered, are you allowed to put the probe in the tub under the hot hide, appose to under the tub and under the heat mat?
Wouldn't it be reading the temp a little different than what it would be if it were under the hide sitting on the bottom?
I'm very new to all this and need advice.
The reason that the thermostat probe should be mounted directly to the heat pad is because it is what monitors the temperature of the pad and the thermostat knows when to turn it on and off. If you mount the thermostat probe inside the tub, there is a good chance that it will get urine on it, or the snake can knock it out of position. In either case, the thermostat will think that the heat pad temperature is too low and continue to run it, trying to get it up to the right temperature.
You don't have to mount the thermostat probe under the pad like I did. The easiest way is to tape the probe to the bottom of the tub and then tape the heat pad over it. That way, the probe will be between the tub and heat pad. It will be protected from getting wet,or being moved and possibly damaged.

For my ambient temperatures, I use a space heater to keep that particular room at around 80F. One thing to remember is the difference in our locations. It's alot easier for me to maintain a 80F ambient temp down here in North Carolina than it will be for you up in BC. I don't know what type of living situation you are in, but if there is any way that you can raise the temperature of either the room that the snake is in, or the entire home, to about 75-77F, it will make it so much easier. If this is not possible, then you may have to consider an extra heat pad for the cool side. I can't remember all of the members in Canada, but It might help to send a PM to either AKHerps, who is in Alaska, or Alexandra V, who is also in Canada and see how they deal with the colder temperatures. I wish I could be more helpful, but that's about all I can offer for now, but if I come across something that might help, I'll pass it along to you.