Having some temp issues

[Frost33]

I'm having some issues with maintaining temps in my tank. I use an UTH mat that was recommended here, a repti therm. I'm also using a thermostat with a probe to regulate the UTH. And a digital thermometer to monitor the temps. Over the last month or so I've noticed that the temps are dropping. I turn the dial on the thermostat higher and higher, but the digital thermometer only goes up slightly. I've checked the probe to make sure it didn't somehow get moved or fall out. At the current time my thermometer is set to around 115, but the digital readout puts the temp at only 87ish. I've felt the bottom of the tank above the UTH and it is not hot to the touch, and my girl still spends a lot of time curled up on top of it.

Sorry if this was really long, but I want to make sure I got all the info out there. I'm trying to decide what the issue is. I've had my reptitherm UTH for about 3 years, do they go bad after a certain time?

Any help is appreciated.

[satomi325]

How is your room temp? It sounds like your room temp isn't warm enough. Most likely from the season change and general ambient temp drop. And that's usually the reason why a UTH doesn't maintain correct temps when a thermostat is set ultra high.

If you maintain the room at 75 at least, the tank temps and hot spot should be normal. If you can't maintain temps, then you would have to either use a space heater or a heat lamp.

And heat pads do go bad with age. You could try replacing it.

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[Frost33]

Thanks for the reply. The room is cooler than 75 but I've been seeing this issue since around August when the temps in the room would be around 75 a lot of the time. I started to notice an issue around about July when temps were higher than now. Now that you mention the room temp, it has been more of an issue since the temps have been dropping.

How long do heating pads usually last? Is 2 years standard or way short?

[KMG]

So the thermometer is reading 87 when the tstat is set to 115?

What tstat is it? I noticed you said you turn the dial, is it the zilla one they sell at the big box stores? If so it is very possible that the tstat is going bad.

Even if the room was to get cooler the uth should not be effected only the ambient cage temps would. The uth should stay at the set temp regardless.

Also the cage bottom should never feel hot to you. You have to remember that warm to us is hot to them.

I would first guess that the tstat is the problem but the other option is the thermometer you have needs new batteries or is going bad.

I would check both devices and change the batteries in the thermometer and see what you get. I would also check into getting a ir temp gun so you have a secondary device to check temps with and are not only relying on one. One is none.

If you find it's the tstat i would suggest the herpstat from spyderrobotics or a helix. They are alittle more but you get what you pay for with them.