You could stick the cup on the bottom of the tank with the probe setting on top of the substrate. or on the side as long as the probe is touching the substrate you will be ok. You may want to get a temp gun you can get one from here for pretty cheap I remember you mentioning your b day is coming up soon in your piercing thread you could get one then or sooner. http://www.tempgun.com/main.html I am sure you could find cheaper ones if you shop around online. even ebay.