Belly Heat Temperature

[epilover]

In the interest of increased safety, i've attatched a temperature probe directly to the substrate on top of my UTH (I use lizard liner carpet, so the probe is just stuck directly on to it). This way, I can see EXACTLY what heat my bp is feeling through the floor of his tank. My question is: what temperature should this be? I've read everywhere about specific ambient temperatures, but no where have I found a source telling me what temperature the belly heat should be held at.

[Adam_Wysocki]

I tape the probes of my thermostats directly to the heat tape and set them to 94 degrees.

How did you "attach" the probe to your lizard carpet? Not with tape right?

-adam

[epilover]

The probe itself (this is the classic digital walmart thermometer/hygrometer) has a small amount of adhesive on it. If you set the heat tape itself to 94 degrees, wouldn't the actual substrate temperature be lower than that?

[Adam_Wysocki]

A little bit, but the ball python will burrow down and get right on the bottom of the cage if they need to. Compressing the weight of their body on the heat source allows for a good transfer of heat from source to snake.

Using the lizard carpet, you could test the temp on top of the carpet and keep adjusting the thermostat temp until it's where you need it. For example, if you want the temp on top of the substrate to be 94, the thermostat may need to be set at 96 or 97. You'll just have to play with your thermometer until you get it where you need it. Infrared temp guns work great for stuff like that!

-adam

[epilover]

So considering my probe is directly on the carpet and not on the heater itself, what temperature should I keep it at?

[Shaun J]

would the thermostat be more accurate if i put the probe on the uth?

[epilover]

Adam, I followed the advice I assumed you would probably give me, and moved my probe directly onto the glass of the tank over the UTH, and under the lizard liner. So what should I keep that sucker at, assuming the liner is fairly thin.

[Adam_Wysocki]

So considering my probe is directly on the carpet and not on the heater itself, what temperature should I keep it at?

What temperature do you want to keep it at? I'm not sure what you're asking?

-adam

[Adam_Wysocki]

would the thermostat be more accurate if i put the probe on the uth?

Nope, the thermostat has the same accuracy wether the probe is on the uth or not.

-adam

[Adam_Wysocki]

Adam, I followed the advice I assumed you would probably give me, and moved my probe directly onto the glass of the tank over the UTH, and under the lizard liner. So what should I keep that sucker at, assuming the liner is fairly thin.

I never said that. I attach my probes directly to the heat tape on the outside of the cage. Compressing the probe between the glass and the liner could cause false temp readings (from the heat build up between the glass and the liner). If you're going to move it to the outside of the tank, make sure your tank is slightly elevated off the ground so there is airflow around the UTH.

As far as what temp, you're going to have to use a digital thermometer inside the cage and adjust the temp on the thermostat until the thermometer shows the temp that you need.

-adam