Reptile carpet and temperature control

JeJ88

New Member
Messages
15
Location
England
Hello everyone.
I have recently swapped from calci sand to reptile carpet for my leo.
Since doing so the temperature in the viv has been very unstable.
It will rise to around 92f then drop to around 86f (sometimes 84f) within 15 minutes.
When I was using the sand I was able to get the temp to stay at a steady 88f/89f.
Any tips on how to keep the temperature stable with reptile carpet?
Thanks
 

JeJ88

New Member
Messages
15
Location
England
How are you measuring the temperature? Is this ambient or ground temperatures?
Ground temperature. I have taped the wires of the sensor to the glass above which the heat mat sits. I had the carpet on top of the sensors.
In an attempt to retain heat I have now put sand on top of the sensors and the carpet on top of the sand.
It has improved slightly but there is still a fluctuation of temperature.
 

DrCarrotTail

Moderator
Messages
3,590
Location
Ridgewood, NJ
Reptile carpet isn't a conductor like sand so you may lose a bit of heat using it. That's one reason I like paper towels or tile. If it were my tank I would be duct taping the thermostat probe to the outside-underside of the tank directly on the UTH and measuring the temps inside the tank until I got the right setting to make the floor 90.
 

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