setting up a matstat

[ad_hirons]

hi all i have a heat mat under my corns tank, i have it conected to a matstat thermostate as u may know there is a thermometer coming of the stat , well i just wondered where th bast place to place it was, outside viv on mat ,,inside on mat ,,cool end etc thanks

 

[janew]

The probe coming off the stat is not a thermometer. You need a separate thermometer in order to set the thermostat accurately as mat stat dials are not very accurate. A digital thermometer with an "in-out" function is the best. Set the main thermometer inside the cool end of the viv, run the lead with the probe to the hot end and set it on the floor of the viv directly above the heat mat.

Place the thermostat probe outside the viv and fasten it to the hottest part of the heat mat. Set the thermostat temperature to around 80, then use the thermometer reading (the "OUT" reading, at the probe) to gauge whether to adjust the thermostat dial up or down. It will take a little while to set it correctly, but once set you shouldn't have to alter it much, just keep an eye on the thermometer temperatures.

 

[ad_hirons]

sorry yes i ment the thermostat probe (black chunky thing ) , so i set it up today like this ,,,, digi thermometer probe on floor at hot end above the mat , i have put the matstat probe in the same place inside next to the digi thom probe , so both probs inside on floor above mat (hot end ) , the digital thermometer reading on the out display went to 90f then the heat light on matstat went out ,it went down to 86f then came back on again ,up to 90f ,down again etc etc ,

i read in ur reply u said put matstat prob on hottest part of heat mat outsaide tank is this wat i should do and what should my temp read as some people tell me 88f and some say 82f-90f ??? i am a little confused , thanks for spearing the time to listen to me dribble on ,, thanks

 

[janew]

Sorry, I missed your reply on this thread! You need to turn your matstat down a little, you want to be getting a maximum temperature of 86F, so your average is between 80 and 85F.

If you find the matstat turns the heat on and off at the right temperatures you don't need to move the probe. If you have problems, you might need to change it round.

 

[Droptines]

You want to know what the temp is on the top layer of the substrate,right ?.So,you put your digital thermometer probe on surface and adjust it from there,no ??.

 

[Islandzoo]

I'm glad this question has been asked as I wanted to know the same thing.

I have ordered a thermostat with probe, I didn't realise I needed to get a thermometre with probe as well! I guess I was thinking the thermostat did both jobs

Yes I would have thought the thermometre probe should go on the surface somehow...