Installation of Thermostat / Thermometer Probes

[michaele]

This is probably a dumb question but...

I am getting ready to purchase a thermostat and a dual-probe thermometer and I was wondering about the installation. Do the probes go inside the viv? Do you have them touching the bottom (e.g., over the hot and cold areas)?

Thanks!

 

[guitrage]

Yes, the probes go inside the enclosure on top of the substrate. You will want to be testing temps on the floor because that is where the snake will reside. When using a UTH, some people put the probe under the hide where it can be much warmer than the rest of the cage, and this is where the snake will most likely be spending most of its time. What kind of thermostat are you getting, and what kind of heat source are you using?

 

[michaele]

Thermostat and Heat Source

Thanks for the info.

I'm looking at the BAH-100 and the Herp Power Thermostat
With Built-In Nightdrop. I will probably get the Herp Power since it is proportional and therefore more flexible. Still on the fence though.

Right now i have a UTH from the local pet shop. It's OK but I need a better thermometer to know for sure.

Right now our house gets to the low-to-mid 60's at night, so I may need to supplement with a heat lamp.

Is there a good way to place the probes to keep the snake from moving or otherwise interfereing with them?

 

[guitrage]

I have to use a CHE in conjunction with a heat pad because my house drops to the lows 60's, too. I put the probe on the cage floor next to her hide, and she's never moved it at all. Even if the snake crawls over it, as long as it's still on the floor it shouldn't be a problem.

Let us know if you have any other questions, and good luck!

 

[michaele]

What Kind Of Heater...

...is a "CHE"?

Thanks

 

[guitrage]

CHE means ceramic heat emitter. It is a bulb that is used just like a basking bulb, but it emits no light. Here's a link to one, just to give you an idea of what it is: http://www.reptiledirect.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=120

 

[WhiteLips]

I use the Ranco thermostat, which is regulating 7 cages, the probe is on the outside of the cage on the "hot" side- the probes for the thermometers are inside on the "hot" side, these are dual digital thermometers so I can also monitor the "cool" side also and make sure there is an adequate gradient. hope this helps- good luck

 

[guitrage]

Why would the tstat probe be on the outside of the cage?

 

[WhiteLips]

Why would the tstat probe be on the outside of the cage?

several reasons- the most important is... since it's regulating several cages it is very important that the probe can not be dislodged by the snake, eventually this will happen-especially with larger snakes, unless it is glued in with silcone, also, the probe is actually on the mat so it is more acurate- you have to adjust the final temp so that the belly temperature is correct but this is a minor adjustment while you are setting up the environment, most of my snakes like to rearrange their environment- which includes the water bowl, water on the probe would drastically change the temps, this could be a disaster for the other cages. the probes for the thermometers are less critical because they are informational only and I can check their accuracy with the temp gun- so if the snake moves them it's alright. I also supplement some of my cages with an additional heat source (snakes with a higher heat requirement)- these are not regulated with the thermostat- with the probe on the bottom (outside) these additional heat sources do not affect the set temp of the thermostat. I hope this answers your question