Thermostat failed??

[AnaDim]

All of my thermostat probes are held in place by aquarium grade silicone. If you have probes inside the enclosure where your snake can get to them and they're not secured somehow, odds are they'll get moved. Probe placement obviously has a lot to do with how well our thermostats work, so if that probe gets bumped 6 inches to the left, your thermostat is going to think you need more heat, and then you run into the issue you're having.

Essentially you need to find a way to secure your probe or your snake will move it and regardless of what thermostat you use you'll get whacky readings. DO NOT put tape or anything that might stick to your snake inside your enclosure. Again, personally I like aquarium silicone and I've been in that hobby so long I always have plenty on hand. It's inexpensive and easy to use.

thank for the reply! I will definitely have a look at the silicone .
so where should I place them? On the guard or on the wall of the viv? How far from the CHE ?

[Hugsplox]

thank for the reply! I will definitely have a look at the silicone .
so where should I place them? On the guard or on the wall of the viv? How far from the CHE ?

My hot side is on the right of the enclosure, so my probe runs down the right hand wall and is siliconed in about 4-6 inches below the CHE. Now this works for me, but keep in mind I had this tank set up for weeks before I put a snake in it, so my placement is the result of a lot of moving, resetting, playing with thermostat settings, etc etc. What's working for me may not work for you, so you just have to experiment until you find that sweet spot. Your problem with that method, is you already have an animal in the enclosure, so I'd recommend making very small adjustments and overusing your temp gun when you get it, just to make sure you're keeping your snake as comfortable as possible while making your changes.

[dakski]

I agree - the probe must be secured.

Additionally.....

You might have too strong a CHE and/or you are not using the thermostat correctly.

You want to measuring temps at the ground with an IR temp gun. With your current setup, you do not want to set the thermostat to the desired temperature necessarily. If the probe is halfway between the CHE and the ground and it's set to 88F, for example, it might be 100F at the ground. You will have to adjust the temperature settings on the thermostat until you get the desired GROUND temps.

Anything over 90F is unpleasant to a BP. If you are really at 100F you could cause permanent neurological damage or death.

Go to a hardware store and spend $15 to get a temp gun OR unplug the the CHE until you get one. Unless digesting, you BP is better off at room temp for a day or two than frying.

[AnaDim]

Thank you guys !!!
money last question , the thermometer probe should be at the same place with the thermostat probe or better to be on the ground ???

[Hugsplox]

Thank you guys !!!
money last question , the thermometer probe should be at the same place with the thermostat probe or better to be on the ground ???

I like to use thermometers in different places to get ambient temps and humidity. I use the ones that go into the enclosure vs. the ones like you have with a probe. I put them all over, one on the cool end, one on the warm end, and one in the middle just so I can see what my gradient looks like throughout the day. I also periodically IR temp gun surfaces just to verify that everything is working the way I want it to.

I like to move my thermometers around as well, put them at floor level, on top of hides, on top of branches, just to see what kind of temps I'm looking at throughout. This allows me to create these little micro climates and gives my animals plenty of choices when it comes to temperature and humidity.

[AnaDim]

I like to use thermometers in different places to get ambient temps and humidity. I use the ones that go into the enclosure vs. the ones like you have with a probe. I put them all over, one on the cool end, one on the warm end, and one in the middle just so I can see what my gradient looks like throughout the day. I also periodically IR temp gun surfaces just to verify that everything is working the way I want it to.

I like to move my thermometers around as well, put them at floor level, on top of hides, on top of branches, just to see what kind of temps I'm looking at throughout. This allows me to create these little micro climates and gives my animals plenty of choices when it comes to temperature and humidity.

If I stick the probes with the silicone, would they come off easily?

[Hugsplox]

If I stick the probes with the silicone, would they come off easily?

It takes a little work to get them off, which is a plus in my book as I've never had an animal remove them.

[AnaDim]

It takes a little work to get them off, which is a plus in my book as I've never had an animal remove them.

I will order that then! Thank you !
Sorry to be annoying , but one last question . Is it safe to use while the snake is inside or should I take him out while the silicone is drying ?

[Bogertophis]

...one last question . Is it safe to use while the snake is inside or should I take him out while the silicone is drying ?

Your snake must absolutely be OUT of the enclosure while silicone seal is drying- it's very harsh & irritating & takes a while- it will take even longer if you put it on too thick, as others have discovered. I've used it myself, & it's safe for our snakes once it's completely dry & has NO smell, but not until then.

You need to plan temporary housing for your snake while you do this- it may easily take a day or more to fully cure. Should help if you sit there with a blow-dryer on it for a while, but still, it depends on how thick you put it on, so I cannot give exact time it will dry.

[Hugsplox]

Your snake must absolutely be OUT of the enclosure while silicone seal is drying- it's very harsh & irritating & takes a while- it will take even longer if you put it on too thick, as others have discovered. I've used it myself, & it's safe for our snakes once it's completely dry & has NO smell, but not until then.

You need to plan temporary housing for your snake while you do this- it may easily take a day or more to fully cure. Should help if you sit there with a blow-dryer on it for a while, but still, it depends on how thick you put it on, so I cannot give exact time it will dry.

Bogertophis is spot on here. You need to set up a temp enclosure as this can’t be done while your snake is still in its primary home. Ideally, and this isn’t meant to be a shot at you, but ideally this is done during the set up stage, that time that you’re getting temps dialed in and making sure everything is ready before your snake comes home.

As far as the time to dry, remember there’s a big difference between drying and curing. MOST silicone I’ve used is dry to the touch within 24 hours, but a full cure can take up to a week. I’m originally from the aquarium world where being inpatient will put 50 gallons of water in your living room floor, so I’m probably more cautious than some people might be.


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