Ball Python Flexwatt thoughts

[ReptiMoto]

My ball python is 2 months old and doing great. His setup is progressivly getting better (adding plants, rocks, vines, etc) but I have a question about flexwatt heat tape. I am currently using a UTH and the thermostat probe is stuck between the glass bottom of the tank and the UTH. I have noticed that the UTH really only gets hot in the middle and I read that you should go with flexwatt. I was wondering if this was true. Also if anyone has any advice on how to setup flexwatt tape (with pictures perferably) that would be awesome. One more thing, where do I put the probe to the thermostat to regulate the temperature?

[pbyeerts]

The Sticky about how to set up either a tank or tub gives precise directions. The UTH probe and thermostat connection go OUTSIDE the tank on the bottom. Is this where you have it placed?



Pamela and GINGER, my wonderful BP

1 dog, 3 cats, 1 macaw, 1 husband, 1 daughter, and GINGER


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[pbyeerts]

The temp probes go underneath the substrate next to the hide on the hot side.....or you can have 2 sets of probes, one by the hot, and one by the cool. However, most of us you an infrared laser thermometer, because they tend to be more accurate.


Pamela and GINGER, my wonderful BP

1 dog, 3 cats, 1 macaw, 1 husband, 1 daughter, and GINGER


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[ReptiMoto]

yah its on the outside and the probe is also on the outside

- - - Updated - - -

The probe goes with the thermostat to the UTH

[Aztec4mia]

If it is a glass tank you place the UTH outside attached to the bottom of the tank if it has that plastic base that keeps it off the ground, the UTH plugs into the thermostat with a probe and you then place the probe on the inside the tank on the glass above the UTH(foil tape can be used to hold in place) and then set the temp on the thermostat. Your BP will find the heat that he likes and will get comfortable the bottom, ideal temps would be 88-90 on the glass. The UTH will do little to keep the ambient temp in the cage up so don't freak out if your temp gage reads low on the "hot side" , as long as it stays in the high 70's to 80's for the ambient temp in the cage he will be fine. A temp gun can be a useful tool as a quick way to ensure your hot spot is on point.

If it is a plastic tub you can keep the UTH of flexwatt on the "floor" and not attached to the bottom of the tub. Remember that the flexwatt is heavily influenced by the air temp surrounding the cage, for best results you want to keep the room temp closer to the ambient temp of the tank. If you have the tank in a room that is in the 60's with the AC on all the time, it will be constantly running trying to keep the temps up and you will likely need another heat source to keep the ambient temps in the tank up.

[PitOnTheProwl]

The thermostat probe should NOT go on the inside of any enclosure that has an animal in it.
There are too many things that can go wrong.

The probe should be between the uth and the enclosure.

[Aztec4mia]

The thermostat probe should NOT go on the inside of any enclosure that has an animal in it.
There are too many things that can go wrong.

The probe should be between the uth and the enclosure.

So a melamine, animal plastics, homemade etc... enclosure running any type of heat lamp should have the probe placed on the outside of the cage?

[Eric Alan]

So a melamine, animal plastics, homemade etc... enclosure running any type of heat lamp should have the probe placed on the outside of the cage?

This post is about heat tape, not heat lamps. Comparing thermostat probe placement for these two heat sources is like comparing apples and elephants.

[Aztec4mia]

This post is about heat tape, not heat lamps. Comparing thermostat probe placement for these two heat sources is like comparing apples and elephants.

lol, I understand but he made the general vague statement, i'm just busting his balls.

should NOT go on the inside of any enclosure that has an animal in it.

That being said I stand by my statement, I don't offer advice that I do not have first hand experience and success with. The OP does not need to follow it.

[Eric Alan]

lol, I understand but he made the general vague statement, i'm just busting his balls.

He made a statement in a thread about thermostat placement using a UTH. Not exactly vague.

That being said I stand by my statement, I don't offer advice that I do not have first hand experience and success with. The OP does not need to follow it.

You have first-hand experience placing flexwatt on the floor (meaning on the inside) of the enclosure in a plastic tub?