Got a Thermostat! But...?

[Eric Alan]

I probably will end up doing this, my only worry was damaging the heat mat itself from removing it off the tank (or the probe as well?).
I was worried about putting the probe directly onto the mat cause it may melt onto it or something, so I'll have to run to the store to grab alum tape.

At this point, don't worry about sandwiching the probe between probe and glass - there's not enough benefit versus the risk involved. The back side of the heat mat gets warm too, so just secure the probe flat to the back of the heat mat and set the thermostat based on that temp.

As far as the melting concern goes, would you be worried about it being outside on a warm summer day? Because those will be the warmest temperatures the probe will be exposed to when functioning properly. Translation: nothing to worry about.