Thermostat readings Vs ZooMed Digital thermometer

My ball python should come here in the mail in a few hours but I can't seem to get the temperatures in the tub accurate. I got both the thermostats probe and ZooMed digital thermometer probe inside the 16Quart tub, on the substrate (aspen). The Digital thermometer reads 82.7 degrees Fahrenheit and the Thermostat (HydroFarm JumpStart) reads 89.2. Anyone have any experience with both of these devices, which is the correct one? IF I had to guess, the thermostat probe would be the most accurate due to the fact that it's built more "high quality" than the ZooMed thermometer, IMO. When I stick my hand on the hotspot it doesn't feel as warm as I thought "90 degrees F." would feel.

Anyways let me know.

The tstat probe does NOT go inside the tub. It needs to be outside the tub between the uth and the bottom of the tub.

Having it inside places your snake in danger as if its moved, urinated on, or flooded with water it will tell the tstat to ramp up the power and over heat the uth giving the possibility of your snake getting burned.

All thermometers will vary in readings. The package should tell you what range of error is possible for the device. I would get it set up correctly and then see what the two give you.

The thermometer would be best on the bottom of the tub under the substrate. The substrate should only be a 1/4 inch at most to allow the heat to pass to the snake.

What feels warm to us is usually hot to them so don't worry about the hotspot not feeling warm to you. That's normal.

I use a johnsons controller. The t stat is usuall off by 5-6 degrees. But the variance is constant

Heat loss, set your thermostat for proper temperature INSIDE the tub.

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Originally Posted by KMG

The tstat probe does NOT go inside the tub. It needs to be outside the tub between the uth and the bottom of the tub.

Having it inside places your snake in danger as if its moved, urinated on, or flooded with water it will tell the tstat to ramp up the power and over heat the uth giving the possibility of your snake getting burned.

All thermometers will vary in readings. The package should tell you what range of error is possible for the device. I would get it set up correctly and then see what the two give you.

The thermometer would be best on the bottom of the tub under the substrate. The substrate should only be a 1/4 inch at most to allow the heat to pass to the snake.

What feels warm to us is usually hot to them so don't worry about the hotspot not feeling warm to you. That's normal.

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Thanks for responding, when my ball python gets here today I will remove the probes from her way to avoid her getting tangled with them etc. Also the Thermostat I have is a hydrofarm so it's intended for seedlings and the probe is dipped into the soil so I don't think the probe getting wet should be a problem but just in case, the probe will be out of there as soon as I set my ball python in there. I will actually go place the probe in between the UTH and the tub to see what results I get. Thanks.

I have the Thermostat set at 91 as of right now. I am about to place my probe in between the UTH and the tub just to see what that does to the temperature inside the tub. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by Pyxon

I have the Thermostat set at 91 as of right now. I am about to place my probe in between the UTH and the tub just to see what that does to the temperature inside the tub. Thanks.

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It will drop the temperature inside the tub.
There isnt a problem with the probes getting wet, the problem is when they get wet it changes the reading that the probe is sending to the stat. The probe will read cooler than the mat actually is and it will raise temps until it warms the probe up to where it thinks it needs to be.