Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm using a rack with back heat. It has 41 qt sterilites in the rack with the 17" edge toward the heat tape and the 36" sides closed off so that the tubs are enclosed on 3 sides. I was wondering where I should place the thermostat? I'm using a Big Apple Herp Power unit, and it only goes up to about 95 degreese of so. If I place the themostat in front of the heat tape it doesn't quite get the back of the tubs up to the temp I want (90 - 95 degrees). I don't want the probe inside the tubs, though, as it makes it hard to remove the tub for cleaning. I was thinking of placing it along the lower edge but not quite back to the heat tape (maybe 6" away) thinking that might be about the right distance to get the temps that I want. Does anyone have any suggestions (other than not using back heat)?
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Astronomy Picture of the Day

You could also up the temp a bit on the thermostat so the heat tape is putting out more heat and that will make the tubs reach the desired temps.. (I have my back heat rack thermostat set to 98 degrees and the inside of the tubs are holding 90-92 degrees.
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Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com

The Big Apple Herp Power thermostat doesn't seem to go much over 95 degrees, so I guess I need to change my probe placement.
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Astronomy Picture of the Day

As far as maximum temps go...

You say the control unit only goes to 95 degrees...

Is this just the maximum allowable setting on the thermostat?
If so then the temps could be much higher than that if the probe isnt close enough to register that 95 degrees.
Use a temp gun to check the tubs actual hot spot temp.You may be surprised.

I taped the probe for my hatchling rack in the rear of one of the shoeboxes (top shelf).True i can never use that one now but the temps stay dialed in great.
When i built a larger tub rack i had the foresight to drill a hole and run the probe wire through the rear end of the shelf(place between the back wall and tub/over rear of tape).
The hot spot temp is always higher than what the probe actually reads since it isnt directly over it(belly heat).
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2.0 50% het Caramel Ball pythons
1.0 Very dark Ball python
0.9 Ball Pythons
1.1 Thayeri Kings
0.1 Viper Boa
1.1 Axanthic looking felines...
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Looking for 0.2 Phelsuma madagascariensis madagascariensis

I read that backwards didnt i...

Yep...the further away the probe,the hotter the heat tape will get
Tape the probe onto the outside of the a tub(top one)a little further out each time till the max temps are what you need.
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2.0 50% het Caramel Ball pythons
1.0 Very dark Ball python
0.9 Ball Pythons
1.1 Thayeri Kings
0.1 Viper Boa
1.1 Axanthic looking felines...
-------------------------------------
Looking for 0.2 Phelsuma madagascariensis madagascariensis