Temp issues

[Bergerking]

So I have 2 6x11” ultratherm uths and a Herpstat 2. One side set for hot spot, the other around 80-82F (cold side was too cold). Ambient is 79F. Warmest I can get the room with intermittent space heater and heat cranked all day. My uth temps are very uneven. Does anyone else have this problem? One pad will have a tiny spot where the temp is like 94F and the the rest of the pad is like 79-85F. I have the thermostat over the hottest part, but have my Herpstat set to like 96-97F and the temps are only reading like 84-86F in the tub with one layer of paper towels. On the plastic itself it will read like 91-92F in maybe a square inch of space. Any ideas or suggestions? This is driving me nuts. If I turn the Herpstat higher then I feel like the plastic temp is too hot and if I go down a bit to like 95-96F I’m only getting 82-85F on the paper towel. Using temp gun to measure temps. Planning to order a PVC cage with RHP this month but until then need to get these temps right. The temps were fine when I first set up the tank. Humidity is 55-65%.


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[PitOnTheProwl]

You don't temp on the substrate...
Always take your temperature UNDER whatever substrate you are using.
What are you using to take your temperatures?

[Bergerking]

Yes I am aware but is it acceptable for single paper towel layer temp to be 82-87F as long as plastic base of tub is reading 90-91F? Says above that I’m using a temp gun to measure temps. Along with AcuRite therm/hygrometers on either end of tub. Biggest issue I’m having is UTH only reads 90F in a single square inch or less and rest of pad is like 5-10F degrees less. Very inconsistent across the pad. Anyone else run into this?


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[Craiga 01453]

Yes, the measured temps on the surface are what is important, so your temps on top are fine.
Also, your UTH is there solely to provide a hot spot to aid with digestion and not for ambient temps. For ambient temps you will need an additional heat source.

[CALM Pythons]

Yes I am aware but is it acceptable for single paper towel layer temp to be 82-87F as long as plastic base of tub is reading 90-91F? Says above that I’m using a temp gun to measure temps. Along with AcuRite therm/hygrometers on either end of tub. Biggest issue I’m having is UTH only reads 90F in a single square inch or less and rest of pad is like 5-10F degrees less. Very inconsistent across the pad. Anyone else run into this?


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UTH's use Wire inside run Zig Zag so you are going to get different temperatures all over it. What you have going on is correct. 87 degrees is a perfectly fine Hot Spot. As a matter of fact most ball pythons prefer 86°-88 and mine are in the cool hide 95% of the time at 76/78° nighttime & 80° daytime.
What you're doing is perfect and the fact that you have a part of the UTH under the substrate that reaches 90 is as high as you want to go. Dont worry everything sounds good



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[Bergerking]

UTH's use Wire inside run Zig Zag so you are going to get different temperatures all over it. What you have going on is correct. 87 degrees is a perfectly fine Hot Spot. As a matter of fact most ball pythons prefer 86°-88 and mine are in the cool hide 95% of the time at 76/78° nighttime & 80° daytime.
What you're doing is perfect and the fact that you have a part of the UTH under the substrate that reaches 90 is as high as you want to go. Dont worry everything sounds good



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Okay great. Thank you so much!


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[PitOnTheProwl]

Is the pad stuck to the tub or is there an airgap between the two?
Place a brick on it for about 30 minutes so they are in direct contact with each other and then retemp. Gives you a better idea of what the temp is with an animal in the tub laying on that spot.

[Sunnieskys]

Does your probe sit between the tub and your ultratherm? Does it create a bubble affect around the probe? That's what the temp difference. I actually use styrofoam and cut a channel for the probe to sit flush with the uth so there is not a bubble.

[Bergerking]

Is the pad stuck to the tub or is there an airgap between the two?
Place a brick on it for about 30 minutes so they are in direct contact with each other and then retemp. Gives you a better idea of what the temp is with an animal in the tub laying on that spot.

It’s foil taped to the underside of the tub. Slight gap though because of the tstat probe.


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