I have a hydrofarm thermostat for my corn snake. The probe's wire is to big to fit in the probe slot of the tank. If I put it in my tank, I leave a tiny gap open. Can I tape the thermostat probe to the bottom of the heat mat outside the glass vivarium? I tape the probe directly on the thermostat outside the terrarium.
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probe placement for thermostat?
- Thread starter sachen
- Start date
Shirl
New member
Yes, that's what I do with all of mine with the aluminum heat tape. Started out cutting a space for the wires and then freaked one day when a probe was moved by a snake and the heat mat got really hot. No harm done but learned that lesson. So now all of mine are taped to the bottom of the glass and then the heat mat taped on top of it. Does that make sense?
Karl_Mcknight
Common Sense Holder
you may have to adjust the temp up a few degrees to make sure the temp is correct inside the tank. I would temporarily place the probe inside to set the correct temp, then move it to the outside. Notice the temp difference and write it down.
The way it has always been explained to me is that everything goes outside the tank, under the glass floor. The probe is sandwiched between the UTH and the glass; all this is taped to the glass under the tank, and is therefore safe from accidents like a spilled water bowl, or the cord getting pulled out by an active snake.
Glass insulates/dissipates a little bit, so the temp on the floor inside the tank will be about two degress lower than what the T-stat is set for. You will want to probably need to set the t-stat one or two degrees higher than what you want for the snake.
The probe does create a lump, so the pad doesn't lie perfectly flat, but I just use tape all around the edges. I back the taped on UTH with foil and some small scrap sheets of styrofoam for insulation. I found, at least with the standard aquariums, that the cords running out from under the tank necessitated adding feet under each corner of the tank to stabilize it. Otherwise, one could just add more sheet foam underneath the whole thing, and raise the lower rim of the tank that way.
I was not able to set up the large Exo Terra that way. This glass house is just too big to lift safely alone, so I set up the UTH and probe on the floor inside. Not ideal, and needs refinement. I ordered a replacement probe for the t-stat, and plan to silicone the UTH pad, the probe to a foam bottom so there is no danger of them getting wet, or pushed apart. I'll add a small thin sheet of slate on top, and see if that will make a good hot spot for the warm hide. Still a work in progress.
Glass insulates/dissipates a little bit, so the temp on the floor inside the tank will be about two degress lower than what the T-stat is set for. You will want to probably need to set the t-stat one or two degrees higher than what you want for the snake.
The probe does create a lump, so the pad doesn't lie perfectly flat, but I just use tape all around the edges. I back the taped on UTH with foil and some small scrap sheets of styrofoam for insulation. I found, at least with the standard aquariums, that the cords running out from under the tank necessitated adding feet under each corner of the tank to stabilize it. Otherwise, one could just add more sheet foam underneath the whole thing, and raise the lower rim of the tank that way.
I was not able to set up the large Exo Terra that way. This glass house is just too big to lift safely alone, so I set up the UTH and probe on the floor inside. Not ideal, and needs refinement. I ordered a replacement probe for the t-stat, and plan to silicone the UTH pad, the probe to a foam bottom so there is no danger of them getting wet, or pushed apart. I'll add a small thin sheet of slate on top, and see if that will make a good hot spot for the warm hide. Still a work in progress.
I don't have that kind. I've heard the adhesive is really hard to get off the glass.
Depending on the brand of T-stat, you can get replacement probes - the strength of the sticky might ruin it if you try to peel it off. I much prefer the probe inbetween the the mat and the glass. The reading is more accurate, and you know the probe isn't going anywhere!
That said, we all have to at times make do, and get creative. You could adhere the probe to the back side. Just adjust for what the floor temp actually is, vs. what you initially set the t-stat for. Also, the probe is more likely to loosen, and get caught on something, which would run the heat mat at full capacity (until, or unless the t-stat sounds an alarm). I would check it periodically, if placed in this position.
Depending on the brand of T-stat, you can get replacement probes - the strength of the sticky might ruin it if you try to peel it off. I much prefer the probe inbetween the the mat and the glass. The reading is more accurate, and you know the probe isn't going anywhere!
That said, we all have to at times make do, and get creative. You could adhere the probe to the back side. Just adjust for what the floor temp actually is, vs. what you initially set the t-stat for. Also, the probe is more likely to loosen, and get caught on something, which would run the heat mat at full capacity (until, or unless the t-stat sounds an alarm). I would check it periodically, if placed in this position.
OK, I read your first post again (forgot you had Hydrofarms). I have some old ones of these two. They have a lot of slop, but they basically work. MUCH better than a rheostat, or nothing at all.
What I wrote above should work (again, haven't done it that way myself). Nevertheless, the thing to remember with Hydrofarms is that the temp swing is a few degrees in each direction, so you will have to measure that floor temp several times to determine the best setting on the Hydrofarm. I fiddled with the settings a lot when I was using them - one of the reasons I upgraded.
What I wrote above should work (again, haven't done it that way myself). Nevertheless, the thing to remember with Hydrofarms is that the temp swing is a few degrees in each direction, so you will have to measure that floor temp several times to determine the best setting on the Hydrofarm. I fiddled with the settings a lot when I was using them - one of the reasons I upgraded.