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Probe + Lid = Escape? Please Help!

Raichualovesong

New member
I'm trying to put the wired probe for my thermostat into my Zilla tank with a sliding lid. Trouble is, I can't figure out how to close the lid so that my little hatchling won't escape. The wire on the probe leaves a gap so I can't close it all the way. Does anybody know how to fix this? My new baby arrives tomorrow and I'd prefer to not mess around with it too much after he gets here. :(
 
My lid is a wire-mesh lid - not sure what yours is.

This is what I did:

  • Used wire cutters to cut a hole large enough for the probe to fit through the wire-mesh lid
  • I used a grinding dremel to soften the edges created by cutting the wire-mesh
  • Taped pieces of heavy-duty duct tape or gaffers tape around the hole just created to prevent puncture of probe wire.
  • Slid probe through hole with lots of slack, and mounted to appropriate position above the UTH.
  • Pulled slack back out through lid - leaving about 4-6 inches of slack on the inside of the cage - just enough slack so that I can rotate the lid 90degrees when removing the snake
  • After measuring the 4-6 inches of slack, filled all remaining gaps with hot-glue - which also, lightly secures the probe wire to the lid.

When it is time for super duper cleaning, the hot-glue seal is easy enough to peel away and remove the probe for cleaning. It's not super pretty, but I have noticed that snakey is keenly aware there is a wire going through his lid, and is always testing to find any weakness in this area. Damn smart snakes...
 
just leave enough slack in "inside" probe wire to slide the lid enough so that you can easily get your arm in cage. I have found that Mr Snakey likes to play with his slack probe wire - like it's a tree branch - so having more is not a problem. Then, like I mentioned, when you really need to remove the probe wire, you can easily remove the hot-glue - it just peels away - when it is time to clean the viv.

Whatever you do, do not leave holes or openings. I have personally witnessed Mr. Snakey probing every single inch of the lid for weakness.
 
Well right now it's hot enough in my house that I can probably wait a little while before using the heat pad, so I should be able to figure out a safe solution...
 
Doesn't the lid of the Zilla cage slide in and out, isn't that the type you have?

If so, there are little tabs in the back rim that break out. The hole looks big (1/4 inch?) but by the time the wire goes through, it fills it up. I have also put a stripe of aluminum tape on the OUTSIDE over the wire and hole if the snake is super-tiny, but normally you wouldn't have to worry about it.
 
Sorry, this is a little :-offtopic from what you orrigionally asked, and heil, your method sounds is great and very detailed, but the mention of duct tape conjured up some memories of a bad past experience. I just felt uneasy NOT sharing.

[*]Taped pieces of heavy-duty duct tape or gaffers tape around the hole just created to prevent puncture of probe wire.

I used duct tape once to secure a fake plant to the side of one of my snake's kritter keepers. I don't have much luck with the suction cups, and I didn't want to permanently fix the plant to the tank. Everything was just fine and dandy for awhile, but at some point (I believe it was months after), the snake got stuck to the duct tape. I'm not sure if the duct tape started to lose its adhesiveness eventually and became unstuck to the back, or if the snake was just that persistent, but the adhesive quality was definitely still strong enough to stick to the snake.

About 10-20 VERY stressful minutes and a lots of vegetable oil later the snake was finally unstuck, but I will never use duct tape in any of my vivs ever again.

Is there any other kind of sealant you could use in place of duct tape for anyone who wants to follow heli's method? I suppose if you used something like that though you'd have to wait for it to cure and also research if the substance emited any fumes when it was heated up.

Alrighty, I know that had nothing to do with your original question, I just wanted to add my 2 cents to potentially save a snake and his/her owner from going through the same experience. :sidestep:

To get slightly back on topic, I'll leave you with this thought: Having a probe is great and necessary, but it is also really nice to have a heat temp radar gun. You can buy them anywhere, they're relatively inexpensive, and you can instantly check the temperatures anywhere in your snake's viv. They can't regulate the heat for you obviously, but it's a great way to check the temps inside your snakes hides and just have the peace of mind in about 2 seconds.

Alright, that's enough out of me!! :crazy02: :smash:
 
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