Termometer

[Clyde Frog]

So, my ambient temp is a steady 80 degrees (measured mid-way up the tank with an analog thermometer) and I have a UTH under the hot side's hide but I have no probe thermometer so I can't be sure if it's too hot or not. I'm sure it probably is because the UTH isn't being measured or regulated and I know that's not good but it's only like that until tomorrow when I can get to Wal-Mart and get a thermometer with a probe. I might hit Petco instead.

Any suggestions for a decent (and hopefully inexpensive) thermometer with a probe? Doesn't need to do humidity. Have an analog humidity monitor mid-way up the tank.

Thanks guys. I searched the forums but didn't really find much help

[dr del]

Hi,

I see a lot of people recomending the acurite in/ out humidity gauge from wallmart at around $12.

By the way the analogue humidity gauges are just as inaccurate as the temperature ones so I would ditch it when you get the digital.

Here is a very good post by Argentra which shows the unit I am talking about - and also the thermostats to control the UTH.

You can also use a rheostat/ dimmer to control the UTH but those need a lot of adjusting and constant checking if your room temps aren't super stable.

You will probably need something to control it as most types of UTH can reach 120f+ unregulated and you only ever want the snake exposed to 95f if possible to avoid the possibility of burns.

When you get the acurite (or whichever brand you choose) measure the temps directly on top of the heat mat (under the substrate) inside the warm hide as this is the warmest temps your lil guy should be able to reach.

Try and adjust the heat source until those temps are around 93-95f then adjust the thickness of the substrate until the temps inside the hide on top of the substrate are 90-94f.

The probe is obviously the best way to measure those - and while it is doing that the base unit can be placed at ground level on the cool side to measure low ambients and humidity. Give it an hour or so to stabilise after you open the tank so you are getting a true reading.

Once you have got the warm end hide temps right them switch the probe to inside the cool end hide and try and get the temps there in the 80-83f range.

Once those are sorted you should be set.

And if you have any probs just post back with pics/ details of your enclosure and people will be able to offer specific advice to help you.


dr del

[Clyde Frog]

I was referred the AcuRite by quite a few people so I'm going to try that out and see how it goes. Ordering it tonight. I'm sure it'll take forever to get here with it being Christmas time at all but hey, who said Santa doesn't come for snakes?

[juddb]

I was referred the AcuRite by quite a few people so I'm going to try that out and see how it goes. Ordering it tonight. I'm sure it'll take forever to get here with it being Christmas time at all but hey, who said Santa doesn't come for snakes?

Walmart is open 24 hrs a day, im sure you could get one now! Anyway i love acu-rites as well, but i keep a few temp guns on hand as well!

[Clyde Frog]

Not here they're not I'd have to travel about 40 minutes to get to the 24/7 one! There's two about 10 minutes from me but both are not the "super" wal-marts and thus close early. Terrible The one time I actually WANT to be in Wal-Mart! Lol

EDIT:: Quick question. I'm reading 100 on the glass directly above the UTH on the hot side where his hide is. Is that too hot? I figured with the fir/sphagnum moss substrate, that evens out to about 95ish, but I could be wrong.

[Lateralus_Love]

Lol, why don't you just go to a Wal-Mart tomorrow sometime before they close then? Wait a few hours instead of a few days

For your last question, I'd say it should be fine as long as your snake doesn't burrow under the substrate. But, you don't want to be guessing for much longer.

[Clyde Frog]

Haha I probably will get out there sometime tomorrow. I'm supposed to go pick up my parakeet tomorrow, too! Trying to squeeze everything in before Christmas is always the best plan