UTH Help

[ALTownsend1]

Guys, I need your expertise yet again. I have the accurite in my glass tank, with the probe against the inside of my hotside hide, which sites on aspen directly above a zoomed UTH. What do I need to ensure keeping the temps at the right temperature without jumping to 100+? I haven't had this problem, maintaining a 90-92 hot side and high 70's cool side, but I don't want to risk anything! Also, is my probe placement ok, or do I need to be underneath the aspen directly against the glass above the uth?

I saw the ReptiTemp 500R mentioned on here, but I don't know if I need that or something more/less since i have the accurite..The photo shows the accurite in the front left on the cool side. Also, Ignore the light, that is no longer used seeing as I am no longer quite as newb-ish. Also, my humidity is now in the high 50's/low 60's. Look forward to making sure I make my setup as safe as possible with ya'lls help. Thanks

[mpkeelee]

first you need to put ur accurite probe on the glass where the uth is so that u can tell how hot the hottest part is that ur snake can come in contact with. mine used to burrow down and get right on the glass.
the reptitemp 500 works good. they r only about 25 bucks. i have two and they have been working great.
the accurite tells u your temps and humidity, the thermostat controls the UTH so it doesnt cook ur snake and spike to over 100*.

[Patricia]

Hi, I have an Accurite and UTH too. An unregulated UTH will heat up over 100 and could possibly kill the snake. It MUST be plugged into a thermostat to control the temps, or at least a light dimmer to tone it down. I use the ReptiTemp 500R with my UTH, and it works well.

Re. the probe of the Accurite, I've seen different suggestions here: Directly on the glass so you'll know how the temp there; or on top of the substrate so you know the temp of where the snake actually is.

I've gone for the middle: Between the sheets of newspaper, which is topped with a single layer of paper towel. Really, my substrate is no more than 5 or 6 sheets of paper. I see you have about an inch of substrate (your tank set-up is beautiful, by the way), so it'll be cooler on the top of it than on the glass.

Before I switched to newspaper, the inch of substrate I was using created too much of a temp difference and I was going nuts constantly adjusting the 500R. Ever since switching to such a thin substrate, the temps have been more accurate and easier to adjust/maintain.

[ALTownsend1]

(your tank set-up is beautiful, by the way)

Thanks!

[ALTownsend1]

As far as putting the probe directly on the glass, isn't that going to be a much higher reading then what my snake is actually feeling? He has never burrowed, but I do see what you're saying...

For the 500r, where's the best place to purchase (cheapest/fastest)?

[Kaorte]

As far as putting the probe directly on the glass, isn't that going to be a much higher reading then what my snake is actually feeling? He has never burrowed, but I do see what you're saying...

For the 500r, where's the best place to purchase (cheapest/fastest)?

They don't really "burrow" as much as they move substrate from getting into a coil. You should use a thin layer of substrate so the difference between the top and bottom is 3-4*. so, 94* on the glass will get the substrate to about 90-91*.

The 500r is hard to find in pet stores. Your best bet is buying one on the internet unless you have a local reptile show coming up. You might be able to find one there.

[Patricia]

For the 500r, where's the best place to purchase (cheapest/fastest)?

I forget where I ordered mine (couldn't find it in local stores). Just Google it and you'll find quite a variety of prices for the same thing, although it's around $25. Until it arrives, you can buy a cheap dimmer to control the heat output, or at least get well over an inch of substrate to keep Drake away from the heat (that's what I did). Here are clear instructions on how to set up a dimmer.

[ALTownsend1]

I'm ordering a 500R tonight...I just put the Accurite probe against the glass, and the reading spiked to 120 degrees! Inside the hide, the temperature was 89-91 degrees right before, consistently, and when I place my hand (I obviously know this is not a real system for checking temps...) it is not even warm, let alone hot to the touch. I have about and inch or inch and a half of substrate, pretty tightly packed, above the UTH...My snake will go back and forth between the hot and cold hide, so I know he could just move if it is hurting him, but should I have that huge of a difference in temps??? Freakin out!

[Kaorte]

Try using less substrate. 1/2 inch is really all you need. The difference in temp from the glass to the top of the substrate should really only be 5* at most. Aim for 95* right on the glass and you should get 90-91* on top of the substrate.

[ALTownsend1]

For now, at least until I get the 500R in, I'll keep it where it is, then make the changes to fix it...it is actually reading closer to 125 on the bottom, I'm happy the substrate is stopping it from raising the temp against Wyatt to anything that close...Definitely need to get that in soon!