Probe placement!!

[belovedboas]

Hey guys, what I'm wondering here: Now I use heatpads and I have always placed my probes right on the the heat pad where they are gonna lay, but what about when it's a large constrictor? The problem I'm having is some of my snakes are getting rather large and always move the probe all over the place. I don't like taping them cause he moves that too so do any of you have any suggestions as to how you hold your probes in the appropriate spot??:):)

[Lankyrob]

Its difficult!! My guys move the probes around too, all my setups are ceramic heatbulbs, its just a case of keeping am eye on them. A couple of cages that need higher humidity i have a water bowl under the bulb so i put the bowl on top of the wire, but definitely not on the actual probe section, that helps a lot.

[2006gt]

well if you are using a uth your going to want to tape the probe directly onto the uth under the tank to get the most accurate reading it works well for me and many others i know who use this technique. hope this helps!

[Lankyrob]

If the probe is taped to the UTH on the outsid eof the tank how is it regulating the temp inside the tank? All my probes sit on top of the substrate where the snake is likely to spend most of its time?

[belovedboas]

Very interesting 2006gt never thought of putting on the outside of the tank I always put them on the inside where there gonna lay!! I would think though it wouldnt be an accurate measurement :):)

LOL you made your post while I was typing mine Rob lol I agree (didnt see it till now)

[marvelfreak]

well if you are using a uth your going to want to tape the probe directly onto the uth under the tank to get the most accurate reading it works well for me and many others i know who use this technique. hope this helps!
:confused: If you do that all your going to know is how hot the heat pad is. Not the temperature in the cage. I use a temp gun and my heat pad will read 98. I aim it 8 inches above the heat pad and it only reads 84. Point it at the cool end and it reads 74. Putting your probe directly on the heat pad will only tell you how hot the pad is. Plus if it under the tank it not going to help tell you the temp in the cage were the snake is.

[belovedboas]

Thanks Marvel I've thought about temp guns!!:):)I personally tape my probes to the heatpad(inside of the tank ) but the probe itself isnt directly on the heatpad you could say it's on the subrate I only tape it so it dont move....but I think I might try a temp gun right now it's just 3 in one digi thermometers :):)


Seems like this was a good idea for a thread

[2006gt]

[/B]SORRY[B] i thought you meant thermostat haha sorry for the misguided info. i place my (thermometer probe) in the cage in the middle of the heat pad on the inside of the cage, and (thermostat probe on the outside onto the uth) again sorry!

[marvelfreak]

[/b]SORRY[b] i thought you meant thermostat haha sorry for the misguided info. i place my (thermometer probe) in the cage in the middle of the heat pad on the inside of the cage, and (thermostat probe on the outside onto the uth) again sorry!
It ok. Belovedboas a temp gun is a must if you want to get truly accurate temp in a instead. My old son got me one for Christmas for only $15.00. I like it because i can aim it right at my snakes and get there body temp.

[Marica]

I've read that some people silicone the probes in place.

[2006gt]

yeahh i have this one and it is very accurate. i really like it heres a link
Fluke 62: Mini Infrared Thermometer (http://www.transcat.com/Catalog/productdetail.aspx?itemnum=98142TE&TRAPCD=WBGTE&gclid=CKeOq-6_uqYCFQRubAodjHdbJA)

[2006gt]

I've read that some people silicone the probes in place.

i would use a hot glue gun it drys faster and can be removed easier and no waiting to dry and for smell to go away.

[Aaron_S]

T...I personally tape my probes to the heatpad(inside of the tank )...

You have heatpads inside the tank? Or do you just tape the probe to the inside of the tank? I'm a little confused by the line above.

[citysnakes]

Putting your probe directly on the heat pad will only tell you how hot the pad is. Plus if it under the tank it not going to help tell you the temp in the cage were the snake is.

thermometers and temp guns are meant to tell you what the temperatures are within the enclosure. a thermostat is meant to control the enclosure's heating element. placing the thermostat probe directly on the UTH will give you better control of the environment without the risk of injury or death to the animal that you would otherwise have by placing the probe within the enclosure where it can be tampered with.

[belovedboas]

You have heatpads inside the tank? Or do you just tape the probe to the inside of the tank? I'm a little confused by the line above.

hahaha thanks Aaron that edit slipped by me lmao heatpads on the outside probes on the inside:):)

[Aaron_S]

I agree with Julian. I think he's trying to say you should get the temp gun and thermostat up your heat pads. Automation for the win. You'd likely save money in the long run too! Thermostats will adjust the heating elements power output to maintain the correct temperature.

[2006gt]

thermometers and temp guns are meant to tell you what the temperatures are within the enclosure. a thermostat is meant to control the enclosure's heating element. placing the thermostat probe directly on the UTH will give you better control of the environment without the risk of injury or death to the animal that you would otherwise have by placing the probe within the enclosure where it can be tampered with.

exactly what i was trying to say but you said it better haha thanks!!

thats how my tanks are setup