How to measure temps using Aspen bedding

[BPsRule]

I was just wondering how you guys, that use Aspen bedding and a UTH in tubs, measure your temps? Do you measure them right on top of the bedding or underneath on top of the plastic? And, if you measure them on the plastic, would it be too cool on top of the bedding? Just to give an example, say you measure the temp at 92 on top of the plastic, right above the UTH. Would the temp on the bedding be too cool then? Or, to get the temp just right on the bedding, could the temp right on the plastic get too hot then? I know they can sometimes push the bedding around, so I wonder what the happy medium would be? Is the sollution just a very thin layer of bedding so that the temps are close between the two? Hope I didn't confuse you guys with all of these questions. Just wondering. Thanks.

[mrshawt]

While I use a tank, it is a similar situation. I hot glued my probes to the glass above the UTH. The temp there and on top of the substrate (if you use less than 2 inches) shouldn't be too different. Plus, you want to set the temp to the highest the snake can possibly ever come in contact with. If the bp does burrow, with the probe on the glass that is, you're safe.

[RichsBallPythons]

with glass tanks just be sure the glass surface dont exceed 96oF and youll be okay. Just set the T-stat to 91 and let it heat up and youll be set.

[physalia]

I use aspen in my glass tank. I have the probe for the thermostat heat-taped to the glass above the UTH, paper towel, and about an inch of aspen on that. The probe to the thermometer is on top of the aspen. My snake hasn't burrowed yet, but he may, you never know. This seems to work fine...keeps the aspen at the right temperature without getting the glass too hot in case he does burrow down.

[mrshawt]

I use aspen in my glass tank. I have the probe for the thermostat heat-taped to the glass above the UTH, paper towel, and about an inch of aspen on that. The probe to the thermometer is on top of the aspen. My snake hasn't burrowed yet, but he may, you never know. This seems to work fine...keeps the aspen at the right temperature without getting the glass too hot in case he does burrow down.

Is the heat tape in the tank? If so, you might want to remove it and use another method. BPs have a tendency to get stuck to anything tape-like.

[Kaorte]

I was just wondering how you guys, that use Aspen bedding and a UTH in tubs, measure your temps? Do you measure them right on top of the bedding or underneath on top of the plastic? And, if you measure them on the plastic, would it be too cool on top of the bedding? Just to give an example, say you measure the temp at 92 on top of the plastic, right above the UTH. Would the temp on the bedding be too cool then? Or, to get the temp just right on the bedding, could the temp right on the plastic get too hot then? I know they can sometimes push the bedding around, so I wonder what the happy medium would be? Is the sollution just a very thin layer of bedding so that the temps are close between the two? Hope I didn't confuse you guys with all of these questions. Just wondering. Thanks.

I put my probes right on the plastic over where the heat is. Then I put the bedding on top of that. My snakes have a tendency to move the bedding and sit right on the plastic. I measure 92* right on the plastic so this is the hottest point they can get to.