Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got my rack from AP have it all set up and trying to get temps regulated. Where is the best spot to place the probe? do I want to have it directly on heat tape or a few inches above? I'm using the basic herpstat if that matters. any help/tips would be greatly appreciated.

>>I just got my rack from AP have it all set up and trying to get temps regulated. Where is the best spot to place the probe? do I want to have it directly on heat tape or a few inches above? I'm using the basic herpstat if that matters. any help/tips would be greatly appreciated.

Place the probe directly on the heat tape. Make sure it is secure! Set your thermostat to the appropriate temp. About 30 minutes after your thermostat reads the desired temp, take a reading on the inside of your tub(the area that was on the tape) with your temp gun. Adjust your thermostat accordingly. I would check your temps as often as needed. If using a substrate like Aspen, Cypress, etc.. You will need to check the surface temp of the substrate as well.

Hope this helps.
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Best regards,
AlanColesReptiles

helps tremendously! thank you! should I put it on top shelf center shelf or bottom?(5 shelf rack) the rack has a hole in the center if that's the case. These are my first 2 snakes but I've been fascinated with them for 20 years. have a g/f that is being supportive of it and very open to letting me start breeding them.

The center shelve ,where the hole is, should be fine. Put the probe off to the side where the tub can't hit it and make sure the probe is secure and can't come off. Good luck with your new snakes.
Holloway Herps

Just remember you may have to adjust the Herpstat UP, in order to reach optimal temps. in your tubs. I agree that putting the probe on the heat tape is a good idea when using a Herpstat(or any good proportional thermostat), but on/off thermostats should be placed inside an old pill bottle or something a small distance from the heat source, otherwise they can kick on and off several times a minute, with a proportional, if you have it set at 95, the heat tape will always be 95. Good luck!

I have my herpstat set to 85.5. Aspen is getting up to 95-97 degrees in the larger tubs. but the hatchling tubs on top shelf is 90/91 in back and 80 at the front. I'm guessing just add more holes in the juvenile tubs and that should fix it. I used duct tape to secure the probe and cover the hole where the probe came in. Again, thank you everyone who is replying

that is strange your getting higher temps than what your theromstat is set to? are you using a temp gun? sometimes you need to double and triple check with temp guns. good luck and welcome!

for some reason it's easier to regulate by having the probe "hover" about an inch over the tape. when I lay it on the heat tape the thermostat goes way up and there's a bit of fluctuation. raise it .4 degrees and tubs go up like 10 degrees. thanks for the tips though. finally have my babies herend looks like I get to witness the mojave shed. explains why she didn't eat but the male enchi was happy to eat her mouse too. now to break it to the g/f that I need to buy at least a 10 shelf adult rack in a few months. Well I suppose this is a good addiction to have =D