Probe Rearding Problem

My Thermostat is reading 88 but my Accurite is measuring at 95. I know 95 is a little high. Should I bump down my thermostat. Both probes are placed directly above my UTH, and under my hide.

What kind of thermostat are you using?

Also make sure the thermostat is on the outside of the tank and the probe from the acurite is on the inside of tank.

You do not want the probe from the thermostat in with the snake as the snake could pee on it, move it or water could spill. If any of these things happen it can cause a false temperature reading which means your UTH will jump up in temperature and possibly burn your snake.

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I would do 2 things:

1. Verify temps using another thermometer to make sure the readings match. Most people will recommend a temperature/heat gun. Use another accu-rite if you have one.

2. Drop temps if necessary or temporarily while you verify temps. (3 degrees perhaps?)

Which thermostat are you using? If it's a quality one, I would guess it is probably more accurate than the thermometer.

The temperature inside of the enclosure will always be lower than the thermostat reading.
What the thermostat says isn't what's important, the reading from the thermometer probe inside of the enclosure is what matters.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by snakesRkewl

The temperature inside of the enclosure will always be lower than the thermostat reading.
What the thermostat says isn't what's important, the reading from the thermometer probe inside of the enclosure is what matters.

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I agree. But with the probes next to each other(as I'm interpreting it) above the UTH and 7 degree difference cause a curious flag?

I'm guessing that the thermostat is shutting off at 88* but the thermometer is reading 95*. The enclosure is reading 7* higher? If I'm interpreting that right?

Some thermostats have a 4º+/- accuracy some thermometers have a 4ºF +/- accuracy. Accurite having some models that are rated to 4ºF accuracy. It is quite possible to have a T-stat that is three degrees low and a thermometer that is 3 degrees high generating the 6º discrepancy. This depends on the specs of the particular units being used. Many suggest hydrofarm T-stats but I personally do not, due to the error they can have same for accurite thermometers. The best suggestion is to buy either a better thermometer or multiple poor ones and check them against each other and do not use the ones reading high or low of the 'pack' The more you have the better the theoretical accuracy you get (law of averages) you need at least 3 but 5 would be much better. With this in mind I suggest the cheapest you can find. I typically pay between 1-4$ each with shipping so it is easy to have quite a number. Good units that have a high degree of accuracy 0.5ºF or better and are certified correct cost serious bucks so few decide to go this route. The best IR guns I have ever encountered are 1.8ºF up or down they are great tools but not highly accurate.

I am using a Hydrofarm thermostat, but my probe is on the inside next to my Accurite probe. I'll move the Hydrofarm probe to underneath the UTH instead of inside the tank.

Can i just tape the probe to the bottom if the UTH? my UTH is already stuck to my tank, it came that way.

Yes that is fine the reading of all hydrofarms is suspect anyway. I would strongly suggest a better thermometer one you have proven out with numbers or one proven from a lab ( traceable ) with less than one degree error.


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Kite- Did not know. Ty. :gj:

There needs to be one of those "the more you know" stamps. :D

Is Hot Glue ok to glue to probe to the UTH. Also my temps seem to fix themselves when I out my heat lamp on my cold side. Does it really matter what side the heat lamp goes on?

I would again guess that you use the lamp for holding cool end temps? I would guess (not having used a lamp that way myself) middle or over the cool end. Just make sure you maintain a gradient.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by futurebpowner

Is Hot Glue ok to glue to probe to the UTH. Also my temps seem to fix themselves when I out my heat lamp on my cold side. Does it really matter what side the heat lamp goes on?

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I would't use hot glue as the only adhesive to keep a probe in place, so much can go bad if it falls off. I would use foil tape. I'm currently using flexwat but I was previously using Zoo Med UTH's, during that time I was using the below duck tape to adhere it to a glass enclosure, I was very generous when applying it, never once had an issue, the temp rating for duck tape is 120 degrees.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/aluminum-foil-tape

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...x#.UL_JTYPonng

When using tape, you don't want to cover the probe. This traps heat and will give you inaccurate readings. Tape the cord closest to the probe and maybe even the tip of the probe head.
And using foil tape will conduct heat and give you off readings as well.

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Satomi I NEVER thought of that...it completely explains why my temp and thermostat temps are like like 8 degrees different...still could be the error of deficiency on both cause they're the cheapie but I bet that foil tap is making a different lmao