Whats your emergency overheating protocol?

[Steveo]

I have a dimmer switch for my heat tape rather than a thermostat... I first tested it by running it full blast for a few days, decided that wouldn't kill anyone, then dialed it down to where I wanted it. Crude, but it works.

[Artic Exotics]

The springfield remote thermometers:

Amazon.com: Springfield 91049-1 Wireless Digital Outdoor Thermometer with Radio Controlled Clock: Home & Kitchen

This is precisely what i was after. Seriously.. you're awesome.

[ConcinusMan]

The thing is, I'm not sure if that remote unit has a corded probe. Mine does, so I don't have to put the unit in the tank. I just run a corded probe into the tank. Anyway, there's a bunch more models to choose from.

[Invisible Snake]

Sorry for your loss

I don't really have an over heating protocol, I just disconnect the heating appliances when I'm gone from my home long periods of time or sleeping. I also have thermostats and keep the temps around 85 degrees F. Snakes in general will die from hotter temps than colder temps and garters are very hardy in terms of adapting to cold temps *IMO and from my personal experience*

[chris-uk]

I'm liking this thermometer which I got from Amazon.co.uk, but I can't see it available on Amazon.com -
max min digital thermometer - with in out sensor & high low alarm - ideal for greenhouses & grow rooms: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home

The temps are accurate to within 1C on both probes (external probe is slightly better from my calibration tests). The thing I like most about the unit is that I can set a max and min alarm. I got it when I planned to brumate this winter to monitor brumation temps. It's a great unit if you can find it available.

[EasternGirl]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I make sure that the heat sources that I use are emitting heat that is low enough that I don't really worry about my thermostats going haywire. I use dome lamps with low watt bulbs on one side of the tank in most of my tanks. I check temps regularly with an infrared laser thermometer, only use heat mats if it is very cold at night, and make sure if I am going to be asleep or out that I have low watt bulbs in my lamps or turn them off if my house is warm enough. I am lucky in the fact that there is usually someone home to check my temps for me if I am out for a good length of time. The thermostats I use are:

Amazon.com: Zilla 11939 Temperature Controller, 1000-Watt: Pet Supplies

and BAH-1000DC Reptile Thermostat New Model - Incredibly Reliable Digital Chip for Accurate Temperature Control

The first one is not quite as good or dependable as the second. I had one of those surge out on me a break a lamp...but they are economical and I have not had any problems other than the one time. The Big Apple Herp therm is really good...have never had a problem with those and the temps usually match my thermometer temps as closely as I have seen with a thermostat. I prefer to use them and will probably buy one for each tank as I can afford it.

I use this thermometer:

Pro Exotics PE-2 Laser Sighted Temp Gun (Tempgun.com) [PEXPE-2] | Tools - A Main Hobbies

A bunch of members on ssnakess tested it out and wrote good reviews. I love it. Very accurate and eliminates the need for thermometers for every tank. It is also much more accurate then digital thermometers.

[Greg'sGarters]

Sorry to hear about your loss.

[Artic Exotics]

Thanks everyone for your sympathies and responses

[Foxrun402]

It is crazy how fast you can get attached to them... I had one for a day that I was trying to rescue from seizures and being cold and gone, she came back and seemed to thrive for a day and then gone the next... Its frustrating... at times... but thats why we are here for eachother to help one another and hope we can provide the best we can for them! This just being here someone in the future will see it and maybe more then 1 person may benefit from this you may have just saved some lives

[Artic Exotics]

I hope so, I know that Ive found forum posts from years back that have answered questions for me before. I kinda was hoping to maybe inspire people to learn from my mistake and examine their systems to see if something similiar could happen to them. It was a tragedy for us to lose 7.

What else was interesting about it though was the other 6 babies in the cage were like guarding her body. Perhaps thats me anthropomorphizing the situation but it did seem like they were 'upset' when i took her away. I dunno. Could have just been the whole situation, but garters definitely have qualities that are lacking in other snakes that I dont think most really understand till you own one and give it the proper enviroment. Such interesting beasties they are. Very different from your standard "hide all day in a cave, eat once a week, and if youre lucky ill tolerate you picking me up on occasion" types....