Best place to mount Thermostat Temp Probe in a Rack System?

I was wondering what how you guys mount the temp probes in a rack system? Do you tape the probe onto the flexwatt and set the thermostat to the desired surface temp, or do you try and put the probe somewhere where it can get a good air temperature reading and set the thermostat for that?

I have just been letting it fall into the bins to try and get an air temp. It seems to work but It gets annoying. The probe falls out when I remove the bin completly, and I have to remember to put it back in. Plus it can move around inside the container, and it can go too far to the cold side and give a false reading. So where/how is the best way to mount the probe?

Also, on a four level rack system, the probe should be on one of the two middle shelves, right?

I also have a cage built into the rack system that uses an incandescent light as its heat source. I know I should really get it its own termostat, but how off would the temps be if I used the same thermostat for that cage also?

I have never had a set-up like yours with a cage on top, but I would suggest you get it a seperate thermostat. Not only is it heated with a completely different type of heat source it is also a completely different environment. There is probably no way you will get the temps correct using the same thermostat.

On traditional racks I drill 3 holes in the back of my racks. One for the probe and two for the plastic tie that will hold the probe in place. I put it right in the middle directly on the flexwatt. I will then calibrate it by using a temp gun and/or a digital thermometer inside the tubs themselves. I will play with the settings on the thermostat until I get the desired temps inside the tubs. Once I am getting consistant reading for 24 hours I know I am ready to put critters in it.