Where to place the thermometer probe

[ed4281]

I just got my two new ball pythons today and I am very excited a male pastel and a normal female. I just have one question though. Where do you place the thermometer probe directly on the glass above the UTH or on the substrate. I am useing repti bark but If i place it on top of the substrate it wont get to 90 degrees even turning the rheostat on high, but if I place it on the glass above the heat mat it will get up to 90. I just dont want to make a mistake and hurt them. Please let me know the proper placement. Thanks
Ed

[2kdime]

Under the enclosure between it and the heat source.

Set it so that NO spot in the enclosure gets above 92 to 94, that means even under the substrate. If they want it warmer, they'll burrow down a bit to get to it.

Housing them separately I hope?

[ed4281]

Yes they are in two seperate 10 gallon tanks. I dont know if I am explaining this properly. If I put the probe on top of the substrate it is reading 76 degrees, but if I put it on the glass above the heat pad it reads 93 is that ok.

[2kdime]

Are you heating the room at all?

Do you have any means to keep the ambient temps up?

Obviously the temperature on top of the substrate is going to be lower than the temp on the bottom of the enclosure, thats ok though.

Using less substrate or one that breathes a bit better is always nice.

Sounds like you need to heat the room up to at least 80, or find a way to heat each tank up.

Yes they are in two seperate 10 gallon tanks. I dont know if I am explaining this properly. If I put the probe on top of the substrate it is reading 76 degrees, but if I put it on the glass above the heat pad it reads 93 is that ok.

[ed4281]

My land lord controls the heat so it's usualy 65. Should I add some sort of heat lamp.

[2kdime]

Best to, yes.

Using something like a Ceramic Heating Element or something to that effect that can be left on and controlled at all times would be best.

Maybe someone who chimes in that does it this way will be of more help.

You could always go out and get a portable space heater and get them temps up

My land lord controls the heat so it's usualy 65. Should I add some sort of heat lamp.