Rack temp questions

[racinstrat]

I have 4 racks, run on 2 thermostats, 1 rack is a vivarium, the other 3 are on my helix, 1st question is on my vivarium do I need to have a night drop temp? I currently have a 6 degree drop for night, is this needed or should I set am/pm the same and only drop temp for breeding? My helix runs the same day/night but my racks run different temps, and I can't seem to find the balance. I have a temp gun but am I going for air temp or body contact temp? We are just starting to get into breeding so any help would be awesome, no negative blah blah, everyone started somewhere and had to ask questions, so don't give me the "why would you do this if you don't know what you are doing" you didn't either at one point so positive only please☺😊

[Eric Alan]

If your racks are different sizes, then you need to have a different thermostat for each of them. The different lengths/sizes of heat tape is what is likely causing the different temperatures. Until you correct this, you're going to keep having temperature issues, which are potentially very dangerous, between them.

As far as a night drop goes, there's usually no reason. Many (most?) don't even do it during breeding season anymore. I still do, but I feel like I'm one of the exceptions around here.

Finally, the answer to where to take temps is "it depends". For your hot spot, you want the temp of the floor (below the substrate) directly above your heat source. That is the hottest location in your enclosure and the goal is to make it safe if/when they decide to lay there. For the rest of the enclosure, it is less important where you take the temperature, as it's the ambient temperature you're measuring there.

I hope this helps!

Best regards,
Eric

[racinstrat]

My 3 racks that are on my helix, 2 are AP racks that are both identical, even my tub layout is the same, but my temps on one are where I want them, one runs lower than I would like, and my third I just took in from a friend that was getting out of BPs, along with 10 more snakes, and he was running a cheap zilla thermo on it and it wasn't keeping temps up or consistent so I plugged it in to my helix and it's brought my temps closer to where I want them but after what you said I will get it it's own thermo, and turn my other rack to constant temp instead of having a night drop
Thanks!

[racinstrat]

Also, what is the best place to have my temp probes? My AP racks have slots in them behind the heat tape, and my other rack I have taped under a "shelf", but I've heard different things about probe placement, just wondering what is optimal?

[Eric Alan]

Also, what is the best place to have my temp probes? My AP racks have slots in them behind the heat tape, and my other rack I have taped under a "shelf", but I've heard different things about probe placement, just wondering what is optimal?

The best place I've found in my racks is secured directly to the heat tape on a slot as close to the middle of the rack as you can get. As usual, your mileage may vary so if you don't like the results you get there, try try again.