Heatmat and thermometer questions

[Frogbad]

I am in the process of putting together a corn snake setup utilising a plastic storage box with a locking top. I am stuck with the following questions.

1. Do I need to put anything under the heat mat to stop it burning/marking my wifes cabinet (she will kill me if it gets damaged!)? and is it safe to do so? I am thinking ceramic tiles or a cork mat or something?

2. Do I need to put something between the heatmat and the plastic tub to stop it melting? Again Cermaic tiles or cork?

3. Where does the probe go on an in/out thermometer? Inside the tank attached to the box side, above the heatmat? Outside the tank positioned above the heatmat? actually placed on the heatmat?

I have got a couple of very good books on corns, and have scoured the various forum but cant find an answer?

Help

 

[diamondlil]

I can only speak for myself, but personally I have my heatmats on polystyrene tiles, and they haven't affected the surface under them, I have an airspace between the tub and the heatmat for air circulation, I rest the probe on the bottom of the tub under the substrate, and check the temperature both in the warm and the cool end in turn. Hope this helps

 

[Dave123]

I just have my heat mat on a wood surface. It shouldnt damage anything. But too be safe you could but something like a coster under it.

 

[Raiden The Almighty]

I Havent seen any temps hot enough to burn a cabinet coming from UTHs. I would be worried if they did.

 

[sumguy]

thermostat required

important to use a good thermostat with uth, they can become very hot (110F or more) and won't turn off without the thermostat. the thermostat probe should be placed as close as possible to the heat mat but inside the tank. Many people don't stick the heat mat directly to the tank. If you switch enclosures, it can be hard to remove without damaging and can make cleaning more awkward. Leave protective film on or stick to thin plastic or glass then tape to enclosure if necessary.
Thermometers are optional - would place one sensor on cool end and one on hot end close to floor level. This will give you a good idea of ambient temps. The substrate above the heat mat will be warmer than ambient so the thermostat probe should go there to prevent excess heat. I use a temp gun to spot check temps as well.

 

[Flagg]

Thermometers are optional - would place one sensor on cool end and one on hot end close to floor level. This will give you a good idea of ambient temps. The substrate above the heat mat will be warmer than ambient so the thermostat probe should go there to prevent excess heat. I use a temp gun to spot check temps as well.

Thermometers are certainly NOT optional. I'd say it is absolutely a required item.

 

[sumguy]

Thermometers are certainly NOT optional. I'd say it is absolutely a required item.

Really? I used them to check temps when setting up enclosures and occasionally spot check with a temp gun but don't use them otherwise. A good thermostat is more important.

 

[Flagg]

Really? I used them to check temps when setting up enclosures and occasionally spot check with a temp gun but don't use them otherwise. A good thermostat is more important.

Right, you use one so how could you say it's optional? You need something to monitor the temps, and most thermostats , except for the expensive ones, don't have a temp reading so how can you set it if you don't have any kind of thermometer?

 

[BeckyG]

And besides that, what if your thermostat malfunctioned? You wouldn't know it until you smelled cooking snake. I agree, thermometers and NOT optional, but absolutely necessary.