UTH too hot?

[teebyrd393]

Just wondering an accurate way to measure the temp of my UTH...I've heard of laser guns, but that sounds expensive. My air temp read from the glass on my warm side is 80-85. What should the ground temp be? Also is it necessary to electronically alter the power going to the UTH if it is too hot or is there abother method?
Thanks

[waltah!]

You should use a digital thermometer with a probe.(Walmart $12) Put the probe directly over the UTH (in the center) and under the substrate. It should be around 90F at the warmest spot. You will need a thermostat or rheostat to control the UTH output. It will be too hot without one (110-115F). If your room temp is pretty constant then a rheostat will work for now. You just need to keep an eye on it more than using a thermostat. You can order a temp gun pretty cheap nowadays. Proexotics.com has them starting at $15. They are a great way to measure temps throughout the enclosure. I use one for my BTS tank so I have it to use for the snakes too. Please check out the caresheets on this site as they are very good. If after reading them you still have questions feel free to ask. Not sure if you already have the snake or not. If you have not purchased yet then please make sure your temps are good before bringing him home. If you already have the snake you want to take care of the temp issue right away. Oh, and welcome to the site

[Reediculous]

I like this one and you can find it at Target


http://www.amazon.com/Holmes-Digital.../dp/B000I11IBQ


it has a probe you can put on the hot side...........then you can put the unit on the cool side, and measure both temps plus humidity!

[teebyrd393]

Thanks reediculous! I used your suggetion and bought the exact model. What's the best way to mount it in the tank?

[Spaniard]

I think its just best to leave it in the enlosure as is. Using any adhesive like velcro to secure it could cause a problem to your snake's skin if it were to get stuck on it. More often than not they are going to knock it over every night strolling around. You're going to want to keep the actual unit on the substrate so that you can pick up the ground level temps. Placing the probe on the warm side either under the substrate or in the snakes hide depending how you want to monitor your temps.

[TanyaL]

Placing the probe on the warm side either under the substrate or in the snakes hide depending how you want to monitor your temps.

I have my probe inside the warm hide, on top of the substrate to make sure that she is getting enough heat. If I were to put it under the substrate, and adjust temps to 90 - 94, wouldn't the surface where the bp is be too cold since there is an inch of substrate? Please, let me know if I am doing this wrong and need to make changes. What is the benefit of putting the probe under the substrate.

[West Coast Jungle]

My only concern when the substrate is that deep is if she burrows (which they will do) it will be way hotter possibly too hot.
I use newspaper and tape the probe to the tub over UTH with low stick blue masking tape. Also probe can be easily moved around by snake if not secured.

[TanyaL]

My only concern when the substrate is that deep is if she burrows (which they will do) it will be way hotter possibly too hot.
I use newspaper and tape the probe to the tub over UTH with low stick blue masking tape. Also probe can be easily moved around by snake if not secured.

Good point! Sorry, I'm not fully awake yet! When we first got our bp, she used to burrow in the repti-bark on the cool side only. Since switching to aspen, she has not burrowed. But, that doesn't mean that she won't start doing it. I'll consider changing the way I take my temps. THANKS!

[Spaniard]

I have my probe inside the warm hide, on top of the substrate to make sure that she is getting enough heat. If I were to put it under the substrate, and adjust temps to 90 - 94, wouldn't the surface where the bp is be too cold since there is an inch of substrate? Please, let me know if I am doing this wrong and need to make changes. What is the benefit of putting the probe under the substrate.

Benefit of putting your probe under the substrate would be to monitor how hot you're actual UTH is getting. A UTH running at lets say 98 degrees under the substrate would give you 92 degress above the substrate, just as an example. Its a matter of preference. I personally monitor the temp of my flexwatt while checking surface temps in the enclosure with a temp gun. I then have an accurite that I move around my rack to get a read on ambient air temps.

Just another way to to do the same thing.

Edit: Raul brings up a good point with burrowing snakes.

[TanyaL]

What are some alternatives for a less expensive Helix thermostat and flexwatt heat strips? (Flexwatt is heat strips, right) I've only got one bp so I can't see spending $100+ for a thermostat. Right now I rely on dimmers and a watchful eye. But, I want something a little more reliable.