Heat pad & thermostat issue

[richardpena]

Hello! I just got a male adult BP (first snake pet) from a friend, I've been doing some research on how to properly setup his environment. Apparently the use of an under tank heaters along a thermostat is preferred to get the appropriate temperature and that's how I have it setup, however I can't get the temperature to reach 90 F on the warm side of the enclosure, it only goes up to 82 F. Here are some facts that may help find the problem:

1. The tank is a 55 gallon Tank, glass.
2. U.T.H used is Reptitherm heat pad - 40 Gallon terrarium size
3. U.T.H ocuppies about 25% of the bottom part of tank
4. Thermostat used is Zilla upto 500 watt and it is set to 91 F
5. U.T.H is connected to thermostat
6. Thermostat Power and Heat Source are both on
7. Thermostat probe is located inside and almost reaching the floor of the tank right above where the U.T.H is located
8. An additional thermometer is installed with its probe next to the thermostat probe
9. The tank top is covered with mesh cover
10. Substrate used is aspen and is about 1.5 inches height.
11. Cool side of tank never goes below 75 F
12. Humidity is 60%

Other than that I can say the snake has been eating well and at night time he goes out his hide (on the warm side) and seems to be active.

Any thoughts on how can I improve the enclosure temperature?? I'd like to stay away from heating sources like lighting since is my understanding these snakes are more nocturnal... Anyways I am not an expert and that's why I am asking for help. Thank you!!!

[CrystalRose]

The UTH won't get the ambient temperature of the enclosure up to 90. It will just make a hot spot on the substrate. The probe for the thermostat shouldn't be inside the tank. It should be between the glass and the UTH on the outside of the tank.

[Crazymonkee]

The thermostat probe goes directly on the pad between the glass and pad. Turn the thermostat up a few degrees. That's a lot of bedding the heat has to go through.

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[vankmen.]

Never put the probe directly on the heat source . Put the probe on the surface that the snake will be laying on. If you put the probe directly in contact with the heat source it will never give you the accurate temp where the snake will be laying.
Don't put the probe outside the tank at all ..
Hope this helps.

[Anya]

Never put the probe directly on the heat source . Put the probe on the surface that the snake will be laying on. If you put the probe directly in contact with the heat source it will never give you the accurate temp where the snake will be laying.
Don't put the probe outside the tank at all ..
Hope this helps.

Is it Bad Advice Day, or what?

[vankmen.]

Disregard that your probe could move on you.
Sorry.

[CrystalRose]

Is it Bad Advice Day, or what?

Kinda seems like it.

[Anya]

Disregard that your probe could move on you.
Sorry.

Yup, that's what it comes down to.

[vankmen.]

I used to drill a 1/4 inch hole in the center where the pad would go and then put the probe about an inch inside the tank then stick the pad on. But see how that would be hard to do without a glass drill bit.
Sorry wasn't thinking

[richardpena]

The UTH won't get the ambient temperature of the enclosure up to 90. It will just make a hot spot on the substrate. The probe for the thermostat shouldn't be inside the tank. It should be between the glass and the UTH on the outside of the tank.

OK, I actually have the UTH mounted right underneath the tank so I am confused when you say to place the thermostat between the glass and the UTH. After reading these replies I put the thermostat and thermometer outside the tank "by" the UTH... After doing so, the thermometer varies between the right temperature (high 80s - low 90s). See picture to see what I did, is it correct??? Thanks!