AcuRite 00891A1

Is the AcuRite 00891A1 reliable?
Do I put the device on the cool side and the probe on the hot?
Does the device detect both the hot and cool side?
How long does it last (does it break down quickly)?

Thanks.

I'm not familiar with that specific thermometer, but if it's like any other then the probe should be on the warm side- assuming you mean to monitor the warm side. If it has only one probe then it can't take the temperature of both sides (unless you're willing to manually switch the probe from side to side :P). As long as the probe is on a certian side, it will only take that temperature, so it doesn't really matter were the device is pinned up. Hopefully someone who's used the thermometer can chime in with more information!

Very reliable and can take both hot and cool temps as long as you don't have a uth on the cool side.

You set the probe on the hot side and run the wire under the substrate to the cool side and the unit will show you the probe temp (hot side), the temp where the unit is (cool side), and humidity.

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If you look in this pic you will see what I'm talking about. This is a test cage for another snake I'm getting in a week. You can see the probe wire running from the left to the right where the unit is. I will bury the wire before I get snake. You can see on the unit my 2 temps and humidity (I'll raise humidity before snake gets put in). Hot temp 90.5, cool temp 81.1, humidity 36%

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1x4timke.jpg

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Thanks, I think I may go for this as it was a choice between this or two thermometers and an analog hydrometer.
Just curious, how do you attach the unit to the enclosure (or is it free-standing)? And is it water-resistant?

There is a stand on it or you can put a screw in the enclosure (if its not glass) and attach it that way. Most of mine are just sitting on the ground and get knocked over once in awhile but that's no big deal. I have one snake that constantly knocked his over so I took command strips and attached it to the wall. As far as being water resistant they are to extent, I wouldn't put it in the water bowl lol but I do use a misting system in one of my cages and it has no problems. I have gotten mist on then from my system and spray bottles plenty of times and still work great.

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I just looked over the ebay seller of the AcuRite 00891A1 and noticed he has a few bad reviews... I may have to go with my other option, but thanks for all the advice.
A bit off topic, but whats your opinion on housing a 4 week old BP in a 20 gallon/2ft viv (assuming its packed with plants and decorations for security)?

There's a few sellers on there that you could go with, unless that person was specifically in the UK. Don't use the analog hygrometer, I have not had one that was accurate. I tested a couple that came with other stuff I've ordered and they were off 30% or more which I could do that math on them but it wasn't off consistently, sometimes 10% sometimes 35% so I couldn't even tell about what the humidity is. I'll do some research and see if I can find anything in the UK that is recommended.

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You might want to go with a tub setup until the snake is bigger or you can clutter it up good and see what happens but you may have to change it if the snake seems stressed. One of my bps did not start eating good until I moved it into a bigger enclosure so you never know but that's not typical for most bps. I would give it a shot.

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Another thing is you could make a divider to cut down the size of the aquarium a little bit and open it up as it grows. An aquarium that size is usually not recommended. I would do the divider and make sure to clutter and cover 3 sides of the glass with paper or something so its not wide open on all sides.

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Yeah, I was thinking of cluttering up a 20 gallon, but if he does seem stressed I'm 110% willing to either change to a tub or put a flat Faunarium into the 20 gallon.
As for the AcuRite 00891A1, I could only find it from one seller on eBay who imports to UK from Israel... I looked all over amazon UK and eBay but not to any luck.
The analog Hydrometer I am considering is the Exo Terra PT2466, on amazon it actually has better reviews than the digital one surprisingly. There aren't too many options of hydrometers for the UK, but Im open to suggestions. Thanks.

Thats a pretty good idea, how would I go about making a divider? Would it still provide the BP with a cool and hot side?

If you have access to PVC or melamine you could cut so it squeezes the sides and it flush at the top so that the snake can't get through the sides or top to the other side. You can make it out of anything but I would choose something that is sturdy so avoid cardboard IMO. As for the maintaining hot/cool side with a che it depends on how much you divide it, could be fine or you may have to move it as far over to the edge as you can and keep your hot side at 88. You can try cluttering up the 20 gallon at full size first or do the divider or even get a 10 gallon and move to the 20 once it's bigger. 2 of my snakes started in a 24x24 PVC cage but the smallest snake I've started with was 213g and she is doing great and has ate since the day after I bought her. I'll have my 4th snake in about a week and she is 123g and will be put in a 28x24 that is cluttered up good and I realize that I may have to switch my enclosure but I live in a house that is 60-65 all year round so a rhp was my best bet and that cage is what I had on hand. I have had unusual animals that like bigger places but that streak will end and it may be with my new snake. I already have a plan if it doesn't work out and making a backup plan if you decide to go with your original plan is something you should do as well.

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You've really helped me figure out a lot of things, I appreciate it.
I've just one more question about heating; I'm going to use a ceramic heat emitter with a 600W plus proportional stat, should I use 100W, 150W or 250W and should I use a reflective dome or porcelain wire lamp holder with it? Thanks.

I use the reflective domes with all mine so all the heat gets directed down instead of some escaping through the wire, that is my thought on it but idk if the heat escaping would be enough to change anything. Make sure whichever one you choose has a ceramic or porcelain socket, plastic will melt or catch fire.

I would get the 250w, it's better to have more power and not need it then have less power and need more. Your pulse stat will keep the 250w at the correct temp level and there's plenty more power it can supply in case your house gets really cold for some reason. Like I said better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it.

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My options for a reflective dome are a standard reptile viv clamp lamp (It has a ceramic holder and has very good reviews) and the Exo Terra PT2054 Glow Light/Reflector (also has a porcelain socket); only issue is that both only bold up to 150W, do you think that is enough? I'll see if I can find one that holds 250W though. And yeah, my house does get a little cold (since its England haha).

The only on I can find suitable for 250W apparently sets on fire/melts the cable... hopefully 150W is ok?

150w should work. Yeah it seems they don't make higher watt domes much anymore which doesn't make sense when they offer a 250w che. I have a couple that are 660w but they are older and I can't find them online anymore.

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Thanks for the help!