Thermostat arrived - not working right.

ErikBush97 · 07-16-13, 02:52 AM

Hi, everyone. I purchased my HydroFarm Thermostat on the 12th and got it on the 15th, and I set it to 90 degrees, and I put the probe outside the tub, between the tub and the UTH. I have two thermometers on the hot side, and then the probe in between the UTH, and tub, as I said.. The two thermometers say 75 & 76.2 degrees and the thermostat says 90.3 degrees. I then moved it into the tub, under the bedding and & directly above the UTH. It then read around 90. kept fluctuating from 88.9 - 93.5 and the thermometers still say 75-80... Why is it so far off? It's starting to agitate me.

Mikoh4792 · 07-16-13, 03:28 AM

Pictures would help

What UTH are you using? Why have the probe between the UTH and the tub? I think it would be better to lay the UTH flat on the tub and have the probe outside directly on the uth.

ErikBush97 · 07-16-13, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikoh4792

Pictures would help

What UTH are you using? Why have the probe between the UTH and the tub? I think it would be better to lay the UTH flat on the tub and have the probe outside directly on the uth.

I am using a Zilla UTH. I had the probe in between the tub and the UTH because that was recommended by people on another forum, because I couldn't get accurate temps before either. And when you say lay the UTH flat on the tub, do you mean on the top/lid of the tub?

Mikoh4792 · 07-16-13, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErikBush97

I am using a Zilla UTH. I had the probe in between the tub and the UTH because that was recommended by people on another forum, because I couldn't get accurate temps before either. And when you say lay the UTH flat on the tub, do you mean on the top/lid of the tub?

No I meant on the bottom of the tub. Doesn't it create a gap when you place the probe between them?

ErikBush97 · 07-16-13, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikoh4792

No I meant on the bottom of the tub. Doesn't it create a gap when you place the probe between them?

No. I have a bottle cap in each corner of the tub, to 1. let air circulate, and 2. so the tub isn't resting on the UTH.

Mikoh4792 · 07-16-13, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErikBush97

No. I have a bottle cap in each corner of the tub, to 1. let air circulate, and 2. so the tub isn't resting on the UTH.

That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about a gap between the UTH and the Tub when there is a probe between them.

But as Rob said it doesn't matter what it says on your thermostat. I have one set to 97 to get a 90F hotspot inside the cage. I have my racking system set to 98 to get a 92F hotspot for my ball pythons.

Lankyrob · 07-16-13, 03:57 AM

What it says on the thermostat is IRRELEVANT. What is important is the temp where the snake is. I have had multiple thermostats running, all the same make, all controlling the same type of bulb in the same type of vivarium. To get 86f for my corns my thermostats can read anything from 80-98f.

Measure the temp in the viv where the probe is, once it is correct that is what the thermostat needs setting at (i put a mark on the thermostat dial). Ignore what it actually says on the 'stat.

ErikBush97 · 07-16-13, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

What it says on the thermostat is IRRELEVANT. What is important is the temp where the snake is. I have had multiple thermostats running, all the same make, all controlling the same type of bulb in the same type of vivarium. To get 86f for my corns my thermostats can read anything from 80-98f.

Measure the temp in the viv where the probe is, once it is correct that is what the thermostat needs setting at (i put a mark on the thermostat dial). Ignore what it actually says on the 'stat.

I read that on Milk Man's post. I'll try and play with it a little and find the right temps. At 90 on the thermostat, the tub was about 70-75. And it only goes to 108 degrees on the thermostat, so I hope that's enough to get it to decent temps.

Edit: The one I got is digital, so I'll just have to remember what the thermostat said the temp was, once I have it tweaked just right.

MDT · 07-16-13, 05:42 AM

Erik, just for giggles, get an infrared or laser temp gun. They are cheap and you can spot check multiple areas in a very quick fashion. It gives you a much more accurate temp of the snake and it's environment. Set the "hi-lo" on the stat (or day time/night drop--what ever your stat can do) and monitor with the IR/laser temp gun as needed.

Starbuck · 07-16-13, 08:12 AM

what kind of thermometers are you using to monitor your hot side? If they are just stick on the wall types; it is irrelevant what they say, as they will be reflecting ambient temperatures...

if they are the probe type, i would place the thermometer probe directly next to where your thermostat probe is (which should be where the snake is), so that you can accurately determine the temp at the hottest point (by the snake, over the uth).

ErikBush97 · 07-16-13, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starbuck

what kind of thermometers are you using to monitor your hot side? If they are just stick on the wall types; it is irrelevant what they say, as they will be reflecting ambient temperatures...

if they are the probe type, i would place the thermometer probe directly next to where your thermostat probe is (which should be where the snake is), so that you can accurately determine the temp at the hottest point (by the snake, over the uth).

I am using a Acurite home comfort monitor, and a Zilla probe thermometer.
I figured it out though.. I am using my Acurite to measure ambient air temp, the Zilla is measuring the temps right on top of the substrate, and the thermometer is measuring the temps buried in the substrate, all the way at the bottom. The Acurite says 80, 86 for the Zilla, and 89 for the thermostat... Seems pretty accurate to me...