Correct thermostat probe placement for UTH

[jmcrook]

I’ve had to post PitOnTheProwl’s crayola illustration what seems like every day for the last year or more regarding thermostat probe placement for a UTH. Decided it was worth a thread of its own.

This is the correct placement for thermostat probes when using any form of belly heat in any type of enclosure, regardless of the enclosure material(s).

The animal can’t access the probe (read: can’t pee on it, move it, poop on it, lay on it, spill water bowls on it, etc) and as such will provide the most reliable possible placement of the probe for regulating temperatures.

Sure, the interior temp in the cage directly above the probe may read a slightly different temperature than the probe itself. This is normal. You will need to make adjustments up and down in temperature until the floor of the enclosure, beneath the substrate, reaches your desired set temperature. This is where a digital thermoMETER probe or point and shoot infrared thermometer comes in to play.

Your room temperature will affect the necessary set temperature of your thermostat as well. This applies to all heat sources depending on the conditions of the space your enclosure is in.

Feel free to add any relevant comments that are applicable to this topic.

End of spiel.


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[BlueOrleans1290]

Yess, and please never ever put thermostats or any heat related things into an extention cord just to try and fit them in the same place this could be a really bad fire hazard, and I'm sure you don't want to put your snake's life at risk

Edit: at least from what I've heard. And seen, it can be dangerous. If you're determined to do so. Then at least do some research first and find out the safest way to carry on.

[jmcrook]

All of my thermostats are plugged into surge protectors and have been for 5-6yrs without issue. I agree that your standard cheapo extension cord should not be used in the same way for thermostats however.

Priority #1 for this thread is probe placement for using UTH heating elements. You bring up a good point about extension cords though.


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[PitOnTheProwl]

The TWO problems are "lack of research" and "over complicating"....
Its really not that hard to get the correct husbandry set-up.

I am surprised that photo is still in circulation.

[Bogertophis]

The TWO problems are "lack of research" and "over complicating"....
Its really not that hard to get the correct husbandry set-up.

I am surprised that photo is still in circulation.

Everyone needs a claim to fame...

[jmcrook]

The TWO problems are "lack of research" and "over complicating"....
Its really not that hard to get the correct husbandry set-up.

I am surprised that photo is still in circulation.

I refuse to let this photo go the way of the dinosaurs. It will live on infinitely if I have any say in the matter


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[JacksReptiles]

I talked with herpistat customer support and they said you can use power strips just so long has they DO NOT have a surge protector on them. These are hard to find. The easiest way to find them is to search for power strips that are cruise ship compliant.

[clb]

I have a small improvement to what OP posted - if you attach the UTH to the bottom of the tank and put the probe between the bottom and the UTH, you will likely get some sort of air gap, thus you'll get different temperatures in different places. Additionaly you will probably need to lift up your tank a bit so it doesnt just lay on the probe with its weight (Ive lifted it up using four rubber legs). I've attached my UTH to the bottom of my tank with aluminum tape and attached the thermostat probe (also using two thin strips of aluminum tape) to the bottom side of the heat mat. This way my UTH fits perfectly to the bottom of the tank, without any air gaps, and my thermometer placed inside reads almost identical temps as my thermostat

[bcr229]

I have a small improvement to what OP posted - if you attach the UTH to the bottom of the tank and put the probe between the bottom and the UTH, you will likely get some sort of air gap, thus you'll get different temperatures in different places. Additionaly you will probably need to lift up your tank a bit so it doesnt just lay on the probe with its weight (Ive lifted it up using four rubber legs). I've attached my UTH to the bottom of my tank with aluminum tape and attached the thermostat probe (also using two thin strips of aluminum tape) to the bottom side of the heat mat. This way my UTH fits perfectly to the bottom of the tank, without any air gaps, and my thermometer placed inside reads almost identical temps as my thermostat

The problem here is that if the tape holding the probe to the UTH comes loose, the probe will move away from the heat mat and it will no longer be regulated properly.

[Malum Argenteum]

The problem here is that if the tape holding the probe to the UTH comes loose, the probe will move away from the heat mat and it will no longer be regulated properly.

And also the probe will be affected by room temperatures, so that at any given heat mat temp the probe will read lower at low room temps, and higher at high room temps. In some rooms this effect will be very pronounced.