Good Thermometer???

I'm fairly new to the herp world, and I have been slowly getting a terrarium set up for my new Ball Python I will be getting in a month or so.

While searching for thermometers and humidity gauges, I came across this: http://www.acurite.com/environment/h...r-00891a2.html

It seems like it has everything. External probe for monitoring the UTH temp, and the actual unit itself that measures temperature AND humidity where it sits (meaning it could be placed inside the cage to read the ambient temp/humidity).

Does any one have this particular thermometer?? Is it really as convenient as it seems/works like I think it works??

Thermometer's are nothing without a Thermostat!

Sure it'll TELL you temp BUT unless your UTH is being controlled by a Thermostat, that will do nothing but say "Too hot" in the end

is a Cheapy starter one

http://www.hydrofarm.com/product.php?itemid=3372


Is one you should REALLY look into getting (This will make your life, and your snakes life 100000x easier)

http://spyderrobotics.com/products/herpstat1Basic.html

You can buy new or even hit up local reptile forums and pick up maybe a nice used one (Also there is one called Ve-100/200 Vivrium Electronics They work good aswell, Or a older model Helix)

But best of luck!

Husbandry is the most important thing when owning a BP, Its something looked over, but when looked at and seen the actions of neglecting proper care every bad things can happen.

I wish you the best with your new snake and remember, Pics when you get him =)

Oh I'm well aware of the importance of having a thermostat with the UTH. I'm just asking about thermometers at the moment :)
I'd LOVE to get a Herpstat right away, however I'm on a budget right now, so that particular one may have to wait. Are there others you can recommend that are maybe between the cheapo jump-start and the herpstat? I want to be cheap, but not 'bad quality' cheap lol

I've been doing GOBS of research over the past year, even have a big checklist made out.

The girl I'm getting is actually my icon :)

Have seen several posts in these forums recommending a slightly different model from accurite. i purchased 2 of them last week from walmart for about $9 each. now, ive only been using for a week but they seem to be working very well. This model displays both temp and humidity at the unit itself and then temp from the included probe. looks like similar features as the one you are looking at.

http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/Acu-Rit...mometer/896347

Having issues with that link. hopefully this one works:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Acu-Rite-I...mometer/896347

I have 2 of these and they are great. Two probes so you don't have to leave the unit in the tank. You can set temperature range alarms. I have one probe in the substrate under the hot side hide set to go off if the temp rises above 92 or drops below 85. The other probe I placed is the substrate under the cold side hide and it will alert me if the temp drops below 75or goes above 85. It also tells you what the recent high/ low temp was and when those temps were hit. Not bad for $22 bucks.
http://www.thermoworks.com/products/alarm/rt8100.html

The ones TBrown linked are the ones that I use and they work wonderfully.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by C2tcardin

I have 2 of these and they are great. Two probes so you don't have to leave the unit in the tank. You can set temperature range alarms. I have one probe in the substrate under the hot side hide set to go off if the temp rises above 92 or drops below 85. The other probe I placed is the substrate under the cold side hide and it will alert me if the temp drops below 75or goes above 85. It also tells you what the recent high/ low temp was and when those temps were hit. Not bad for $22 bucks.
http://www.thermoworks.com/products/alarm/rt8100.html

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I like this one, though I wish it had a humidity reading as well

True, and it would be nice if the leads on the probes were just a tad longer. I have a 75 gallon tank divided in half with the displays mounted above the back of the tank and the probe I ran over to the cold side hide just made it. If it had been just 6" more it would have been perfect.

TBH i dont even use them. But thats again because herpstat.

I do get your on budget most are, specially when they dont get the satisfaction of reliability BUT i did link a "cheaper" version which is a Hydrofarm.

BUT I personly thing to do it RIGHT for the first time.

With not having the snake yet, perfect your husbandry first! This in the end will save you money, I use a repti-5000 thermostat, wasted 70$ bought a herpstat a week later. Now its just for my QT tub to make best of it.


a hydrofarm is roughly 40$. You can get a nice herpstat for 100$ its only 60$ shy (yea double the price) But its intended for reptiles and well not plants.

Regardless of that! Either or will suffice =) And before buying a thermometer look into a IR Temp gun

The Temp gun+Thermostat combo beats everything =)

Look at it THIS WAY


You spend the extra 60$ for herpstat you can ignore the fallowing

(45$ hydro farm)
(10$ Accurite)
(even a 35$ IR gun) Though its good to have one


Its just how effecient the Herpstats/VE-100's are that you can ignore the smaller items!

Also like i said check on forums local breeders may be selling old ones, (Iv seen as low as 50-80$ cash for a Herp basic, or the older sypder robotics {original 1} )

I leave a Fluker's min/max combo thermometer and humidity gauge in the cages to measure ambient temps, and use a temp gun to check the rest of the temps as needed. Thermostat handles the rest.

A short term, less pricey option than a thermostat is to pick up a rheostat or a dimmer switch. You'll have to manually adjust it (after a week of decreasing the temps for summer highs and then increasing them at night to keep things steady I was sick of it and just got a thermostat), but it'll do in a pinch. They range between $10 and $20.

We also carry simple analog thermostats that are only a few bucks more; again, an option for the meantime while you figure out exactly what you want, how you want it, etc, and are ready to invest in the good equipment.

-Jen

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CORBIN911

Look at it THIS WAY


You spend the extra 60$ for herpstat you can ignore the fallowing

(45$ hydro farm)
(10$ Accurite)
(even a 35$ IR gun) Though its good to have one


Its just how effecient the Herpstats/VE-100's are that you can ignore the smaller items!

Also like i said check on forums local breeders may be selling old ones, (Iv seen as low as 50-80$ cash for a Herp basic, or the older sypder robotics {original 1} )

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Couldn't agree more, I bought a hydrofarm for my hatchling on Amazon for $30 or so. I don't trust it nearly as much as the herpstat, plus it is non proportional and has quite the variation in temperature. I would recommend looking for used herpstats, I just purchased one from a member here and couldn't be happier. You can find good deals, but there's no harm in buying one brand new. :gj:

Thanks so much for the advice guys! I went ahead and bought a Herpstat to save myself the headache lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CORBIN911

TBH i dont even use them. But thats again because herpstat.

I do get your on budget most are, specially when they dont get the satisfaction of reliability BUT i did link a "cheaper" version which is a Hydrofarm.

BUT I personly thing to do it RIGHT for the first time.

With not having the snake yet, perfect your husbandry first! This in the end will save you money, I use a repti-5000 thermostat, wasted 70$ bought a herpstat a week later. Now its just for my QT tub to make best of it.


a hydrofarm is roughly 40$. You can get a nice herpstat for 100$ its only 60$ shy (yea double the price) But its intended for reptiles and well not plants.

Regardless of that! Either or will suffice =) And before buying a thermometer look into a IR Temp gun

The Temp gun+Thermostat combo beats everything =)

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You don't use a thermometer because you have a thermostat? One has nothing to do with the other. Thermometers are there to double check your temps. They're especially important if you have a UTH or heat tape underneath your enclosure. Also, the OP didn't ask on a lecture about thermostats. He already said that he understands that he needs a thermostat.

OP, I personally use the Acurite TBrown806 posted. Works well and has a humidity gauge.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr. Misha

You don't use a thermometer because you have a thermostat? One has nothing to do with the other. Thermometers are there to double check your temps. They're especially important if you have a UTH or heat tape underneath your enclosure. Also, the OP didn't ask on a lecture about thermostats. He already said that he understands that he needs a thermostat.

OP, I personally use the Acurite TBrown806 posted. Works well and has a humidity gauge.

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Look how i suggest a Temp gun... It's not a lecture, at all its brief explanation on QUALITY of the thermostats i suggested. Try not to be so cranky sir when people giving valid advice:colbert:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CORBIN911

Look at it THIS WAY


You spend the extra 60$ for herpstat you can ignore the fallowing

(45$ hydro farm)
(10$ Accurite)
(even a 35$ IR gun) Though its good to have one


Its just how effecient the Herpstats/VE-100's are that you can ignore the smaller items!

Also like i said check on forums local breeders may be selling old ones, (Iv seen as low as 50-80$ cash for a Herp basic, or the older sypder robotics {original 1} )

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No you can’t ignore a thermometer no matter how much you pay for a t-stat, it’s not a “but it’s good to have one” it’s a you MUST have one.
Thermometer and T-stat are two different things and more often than not there will be a discrepancy between the readings so letting people believe that they can ignore having a thermometer is just a bad advice.

Temps should be known at all time not guessed, knowing your temps does not mean relying on the t-stat reading (which BTW may be set lower or higher then what the temps really is in an enclosure….and I am not even talking about when/if a t-stat that fails)

I'm getting a thermometer anyway, regardless of the thermostat. I'm one of those people who HAS to double check everything lol

Guess IR temp guns don't mean anything.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CORBIN911

Guess IR temp guns don't mean anything.

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There's nothing wrong with temp guns but it's not an ideal setup. You'd have to move the substrate and check the spot that's over the UTH or heat tape just to make sure that the temps are correct. Another thing is you can't measure ambient temps or humidity with an ir temp gun. You'd literally have to check multiple times a day to make sure that nothing fluctuates. Instead, I can just peek in my terrarium and make sure that all my temps and humidity are correct.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr. Misha

There's nothing wrong with temp guns but it's not an ideal setup. You'd have to move the substrate and check the spot that's over the UTH or heat tape just to make sure that the temps are correct. Another thing is you can't measure ambient temps or humidity with an ir temp gun. You'd literally have to check multiple times a day to make sure that nothing fluctuates. Instead, I can just peek in my terrarium and make sure that all my temps and humidity are correct.

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I do see your point. But I use a ARS rack so little different then cage. Valid point. No disrespect mentv

Reptile Basics just came out with their own Vivarium brand thermometer/hygrometer: The Vivarium Electronics TH-100 http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermometers/TH-100/

Reptile Basics makes quality products designed to be used with reptile enclosures. I recommend checking it out.

Took a quick photo of my two Thermoworks thermometers mounted to my tank for reference.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/08/3uqavaqe.jpg

I also have a temp gun which I use to check substrate surface temps plus I have the Vivarium Electronics VE 100's to control the UTH's.