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Hydrofarm

C

CXA14

New member
Im planning on buying a hydrofarm thermostat for my heat mat. I do not quite understand how it works. I would hate to buy it and not know how to put it together. Where does the probe go? I also heard it came with some sort of suction cup thing, where does that go? I would like to hear imput from those who own a hydrofarm thermostat.
 
I actually just bought one of these and set it up today! So I can tell you what I did with it and maybe someone else can come in and confirm what I say?

You plug the UTH into the thermostat, then the thermostat gets plugged into the wall. Then there is a second cable coming out of the thermostat that goes into the tank and into the substrate by the UTH. Then the sensor tells the thermostat what temperature it really is so that it can make adjustments. I used the suction cup to suction the sensor to the bottom of my tank (I use paper towels as substrate)

So far so good for me? It appears to be working. If anyone on here can see something I did wrong with it I would appreciate a push in the right direction :D
 
The only thing we do differently is to use hot-melt glue to attach the sensor to the floor of the viv. The snakes are very inquisitive, and anything not nailed or glued down is going to get moved, and the thermal sensor is one thing that *must* stay put so the snake isn't put into danger of overheating.

cryingscarf said:
You plug the UTH into the thermostat, then the thermostat gets plugged into the wall. Then there is a second cable coming out of the thermostat that goes into the tank and into the substrate by the UTH. Then the sensor tells the thermostat what temperature it really is so that it can make adjustments. I used the suction cup to suction the sensor to the bottom of my tank (I use paper towels as substrate)

So far so good for me? It appears to be working. If anyone on here can see something I did wrong with it I would appreciate a push in the right direction :D
Click to expand...
 
So you put the probe in the substrate? And where do put the suction cup? A video would be helpful.
 
I always thought the probe went directly on the heat mat. I didn't know you had to put it in the substrate. Is it an option to put the sensor/ probe on the heat mat. I figure that by putting the probe/ sensor on the heat mat, it gives you a better reading on the temp.
 
What I do on mine is secure the Sensor to the bottom of the Viv. I don't use the suction cup as the snake will eventually remove it anyway.
I have Glass Vivariums so I use Duct Tape to secure it to the glass above the UTH where the hide will cover it. If you have a Wood bottom you might have to secure the Sensor with hot glue or some other method. When finished I put about 1-2" of substrate over the sensor then install the hide. Don't secure the Stainless sensor itself just the wire up to the sensor.
 
It depends. You should also have another thermometer set up in the tank to verify that the thermostat is keeping the temp correctly. This is how mine are set up: the probe from the thermostat connected to the glass directly above the UTH. The probe from a second thermometer also connected to the glass directly above the UTH. There may be a slight variation between the temp set on the thermostat and the actual temp as measured by the independent thermometer, but they should be very close. I use an indoor/outdoor thermometer so that I can set the unit on the cool side: then the probe is measuring the warm side and the unit itself is measuring the cool side (the one I use also shows me the humidity). Finally, the reason that I said "it depends" is because one of my hydrofarms needs to be set lower than the other hydrofarms I use in order to keep the same temp. It must just run a bit hotter. So, I trust the independent thermometer to tell me the temp, and adjust the hydrofarm accordingly.
 
Here, in this pic you can see the big number is the warm side temp. the other is the cool side. and then there is the humidity in the lower right. Those thermometers run about $12 at walmart.
 

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Joba said:
I use an indoor/outdoor thermometer so that I can set the unit on the cool side: then the probe is measuring the warm side and the unit itself is measuring the cool side (the one I use also shows me the humidity).
Click to expand...
I've seen these (almost if not completely identical to yours) in a few vivs. Thanks for explaining it was an indoor/outdoor setup, I'm assuming that means it's something I can pick up from Lowes or Home Depot?
 
CXA14 said:
I always thought the probe went directly on the heat mat. I didn't know you had to put it in the substrate. Is it an option to put the sensor/ probe on the heat mat. I figure that by putting the probe/ sensor on the heat mat, it gives you a better reading on the temp.
Click to expand...
This won't give you the temps you need due to thermal dynamics work. The bottom of your viv and substrate will absorb heat. So what your snakes are actually getting is the temp you have but cooler. Putting the probe on the inside will tell you what your snake is actually dealing with.
 
If you have to use tape to secure something inside the viv, it's WAY better to use aluminum tape. It sticks well the first time, but if it gets dislodged, it's very unsticky, so won't stick to the snake and hurt it.
 
It will give you a better reading of the temp *on the heat tape/mat*, but not necessarily what effect it is having inside the viv. Putting the sensor inside the viv above the heat tape/mat allows you to better regulate what the snake feels.


CXA14 said:
I always thought the probe went directly on the heat mat. I didn't know you had to put it in the substrate. Is it an option to put the sensor/ probe on the heat mat. I figure that by putting the probe/ sensor on the heat mat, it gives you a better reading on the temp.
Click to expand...
 
Where can I purchase a Hydrofarm? I have sterilite locking bins. Can I place the probe between the UTH mat and the bin or would it be better to put it in the substrate above the UTH? Thanks for help with this.
 
Myca said:
Where can I purchase a Hydrofarm? I have sterilite locking bins. Can I place the probe between the UTH mat and the bin or would it be better to put it in the substrate above the UTH? Thanks for help with this.
Click to expand...


Myca,

I'd do a search on the web for the best price. I used to buy these for 24-25 Dollars but the price keeps climbing.
Amazon has them as does Hydrofarm.com and ebay.

I put the UTH under the snakes habitat then secure the themostat sensor over the UTH inside the enclosure. then I add the substrate.

Best of luck!
 
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