Thermostat setup for corn snake

[daddio207]

No for thermostat, I read that that aluminum is a good conductor and the tape that is sticking the probe to uth will take the heat and heat won't transfer to the reptile

That's what I get for coming in late in a post LOL :face_palm_02:

My answer on how each tape holds is still valid but since I don't use thermostats with UTH's I can't help yeah there. :sidestep:

 

[DollysMom]

That's what I get for coming in late in a post LOL :face_palm_02:

My answer on how each tape holds is still valid but since I don't use thermostats with UTH's I can't help yeah there. :sidestep:

Your answer was fine, Daddio. Many folks attach their UTHs and thermostat probes using foil tape (on the outside of the viv) with no problem. I'm not sure who said it was an issue, but it really isn't, IMO.

I had duct tape on hand so used it, but I also plan to check and retape my UTHs every couple of years if not sooner. A little maintenance goes a long way. UTHs don't last forever and IMO should be replaced from time to time.

 

[daddio207]

Your answer was fine, Daddio. Many folks attach their UTHs and thermostat probes using foil tape (on the outside of the viv) with no problem. I'm not sure who said it was an issue, but it really isn't, IMO.

I had duct tape on hand so used it, but I also plan to check and retape my UTHs every couple of years if not sooner. A little maintenance goes a long way. UTHs don't last forever and IMO should be replaced from time to time.

Thanks! I had "UTH" stuck in my head when I was responding. :shrugs:
I have no issue with using duct tape other than I also have to retape every few years. I noticed my Flexwatt is starting to come off the back of my racks that's held on by duct tape so I will be retaping them soon. I will use duct tape again.

 

[Matt20]

https://www.lowes.ca/search/aluminum-tape.html?iterm=aluminum-tape

Here's a link even for a Canadian Lowes...

All I ask in return are some maple syrup hard candies from Canadia (Ka-nae-dee-ah)...I mean Canada, eh!

Do you have another item like that ?

 

[sn8kman1]

Hi,

I'm confused

Step by Step heat mat set up

Step by Step Directions:
1. Attach mat to underside of glass tank.
2. Use aluminum tape to tape thermostat probe to the non-sticky side of the heat mat.
a. Put it in the center
b. Yes, it will be on the logo side...NO WORRIES, I promise
3. Attach your thermometer probe to the inside glass, right in the center of the heat mat.
a. Both my ZooMed and Nat'l Geo thermometers have a little suction cup on the probe wire. Use that to attach the probe.
b. You have a choice for thermometer screen placement: Inside or Outside of tank. If you opt for outside, the wires will fit through the Zilla top notches.(I have 40 gal Zilla Critter Keeper). You can put them where ever works for you.
c. I keep mine inside because it is easier for me. The ZooMed comes with a second suction cup and I attach that to the inside back wall. The Nat'l Geo is more cumbersome, so I push it up against the front glass and wedge it in place with the bedding and a decoration or the water bowl.
d. If you have the Nat'l Geo, make sure it is set to read OUT, because that is the PROBE.
4. Lightly cover your probe with bedding and the warm hide, the way it will be when your snake moves in.
5. Plug heat mat into thermostat and set thermostat for 89. YES, 89. Give your mat 30-60 minutes to settle into its heat level.
6. After the wait time, check the thermometer temp.
a. If the thermometer temp is under 84, turn up your thermostat 2-3 degrees and wait another 30 minutes.
b. If the thermometer temp is over 86, turn down your thermostat 2-3 degrees and wait another 30 minutes.
c. You will have to play around to get your warm hide temp to stay between 84-87. Remember the wait time each time you adjust the thermostat.
d. ONCE STABLE, make note of the SETTING TEMP for your thermostat. You will need that setting to get the desired temp in the tank's warm hide.

FOR EXAMPLE: I have a 40 gal Critter Keeper. I have a heat mat for 50-60 gal tanks on the warm side because I am in Buffalo, NY and in winter, my thermostat had to be set at 94 to keep my thermometer/warm hide at 85-86. I also used a mat on the cool side, set up the same, at 75 because my house gets cold, especially at night.
Now that summer has hit full force, My warm side thermostat is at 89 to maintain 84-86 and I don't need the second mat at all.

Whew. Hope this helps. :spinner:

Why do you need to secure the thermostat probe to the bottom of the UTH? Doesn't the thermostat probe serve the same purpose of the thermometer probe (what you refer to in #3)? Guess I'm not sure why you need to know the temperature of the bottom of the UTH.

I thought the thermostat probe is supposed to tell us the temperature inside the tank so we can adjust accordingly the thermostat. Hopefully this isn't a dumb question, just asking for some clarification

 

[snakegirl33]

Hi,

I'm confused

Why do you need to secure the thermostat probe to the bottom of the UTH? Doesn't the thermostat probe serve the same purpose of the thermometer probe (what you refer to in #3)? Guess I'm not sure why you need to know the temperature of the bottom of the UTH.

I thought the thermostat probe is supposed to tell us the temperature inside the tank so we can adjust accordingly the thermostat. Hopefully this isn't a dumb question, just asking for some clarification

I believe it's so u/thermostat knows the EXACT temp of the heat mat without any substrate or anything interfering with the actual temp. That'll be the REAL TIME temp of ur heat mat and so the thermostat can adjust accordingly.

 

[blacktip]

I have always secured my thermostat probes to the interior glass right in the center of the UTH. That way it is measuring the temperature from the same surface that the snake can come into contact with. Having the probe between the UTH and the bottom of the viv should also work and has the added bonus of not being inside the viv where the snake could accidentally dislodge the probe.