What Thermometer

Do you guys use with your incubator? I have a brand new AcuRite, but I'm a little nervous about that now, since I keep reading how people are using temp guns and finding their AcuRites to be off by as much as 14 degrees.

What thermometer do YOU use to monitor the temps inside the egg box?

On the Big Apple Herp, it came with one that looks like a meat thermometer. I just compare that number with the temp gun, and adjust accordingly.

But with the one I am building, I am going to be checking and comparing every day with the thermostat reading and the temp gun to be sure...

Its a tough call when you want everything to be perfect...

Well, I thought I had everything ready, but now I'm just majorly stressing on the AcuRite. I do want a thermometer that's accurate that I can see at a glance without having to open the incubator to measure with a temp gun.

Something else to worry about!

I think accurite produces a good wireless one.
And i can't say that they are this far off the actual temp.

Herpstat Pro...

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Originally Posted by RKO

Herpstat Pro...

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Good try but thats a thermostat:)

Robin, I believe there are thermometers that are accompanied by certifications/guarantees of accuracy but they are pricey, I don't know of any specific brands but I'll google it for ya.


ASTM thermometers are lab grade, but I believe most of them are mercury, and I am still looking for a digital one. I am very intereted in finding a more accurate device to measure temps as my two digital probes are 3 degrees apart almost 100% of the time.

So far its looking like the most accurate digital thermometers that are feasible to use in an incubator or enclosure are the meat and poultry calibrated ones. They are about $30 and there are quite a few brands. The only thing to be careful about with those is to make sure the temp range isn't like 100-500, there are some that are 0-500.

So far I can't find any lab grade digital thermometers for under $100, so I'll keep looking. Let us know if you find anything you think may be more reliable.

Thanks Missi! I'll definitely check them out. I was really hoping more people would post what they use. And if they use AcuRite, if they've had no problems.

I agree, I have heard a few members mention calibrated thermometers before and was hoping anyone with one would post, oh well for now.

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Originally Posted by missi182

Good try but thats a thermostat:)

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I think I'm confused! I have never hatched BP eggs before, so please educate me :oops:

Don't you just use the thermostats probe temp as the incubation temp guideline?
Shouldn't you have a thermostat hooked up to your incubator? What would be the need of a secondary thermometer if you are using a t-stat (Helix/Herpstat)?

I frequently test my all thermometers with a temp gun, just for piece of mind. I am currently using 7+ of the AcuRite thermometers in various settings. I tested them just now and of the 7 tested - 4 were spot on, 1 measured 2 degrees higher, one measured 1 degree higher and the other measured 1 degree lower.

I think a lot of the discrepancy between thermometers/temp guns may have to do with the actual "surface" temp being tested... ie; ambient temps will be off compared to "stuck on- hot spots"... if that makes sense :weirdface

Robin, I used 3 thermometers to compare temps. I kept two in the same location and one with the probe in the egg box. They varied up to about 2 degrees from each other but everything went smoothly. At least you would know if one of them was way off from the other.

Edit: One was an AcuRite, and two were Exo Terra I think? Then I also started using a Zilla thermo/hygro combo.

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Originally Posted by ChAMOUFLAGED

I think I'm confused! I have never hatched BP eggs before, so please educate me :oops:

Don't you just use the thermostats probe temp as the incubation temp guideline?
Shouldn't you have a thermostat hooked up to your incubator? What would be the need of a secondary thermometer if you are using a t-stat (Helix/Herpstat)?

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Yes, you use a thermostat. Every thermostat out there can malfunction. When you have an incubator full of eggs... that have little tiny snakes in them that could be worth THOUSANDS of dollars, you will not be able to sleep without being able to check often for correct temps... from multiple sources!

Mike

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChAMOUFLAGED

I think I'm confused! I have never hatched BP eggs before, so please educate me :oops:

Don't you just use the thermostats probe temp as the incubation temp guideline?
Shouldn't you have a thermostat hooked up to your incubator? What would be the need of a secondary thermometer if you are using a t-stat (Helix/Herpstat)?

I frequently test my all thermometers with a temp gun, just for piece of mind. I am currently using 7+ of the AcuRite thermometers in various settings. I tested them just now and of the 7 tested - 4 were spot on, 1 measured 2 degrees higher, one measured 1 degree higher and the other measured 1 degree lower.

I think a lot of the discrepancy between thermometers/temp guns may have to do with the actual "surface" temp being tested... ie; ambient temps will be off compared to "stuck on- hot spots"... if that makes sense :weirdface

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Yes the thermostats do measure the temps and adjust to them, but they are not always right on, for example some members have to set the maximum temp of their thermostat at 96 to achieve an actual maximum of 93.

I believe Robin was just trying to find out if there does exist something more accurate and reliable than the $12 accurites for peace of mind with her incubator. The temperature variances may not be major with most inexspensive digital thermometers but a few degrees does make a difference in an incubator. There is the option to buy a few thermometers and compare but I also would like to know if there are more reliable thermometers out there.

And Mcavana, you beat me to it;) Darn these slow fingers..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChAMOUFLAGED

I think I'm confused! I have never hatched BP eggs before, so please educate me :oops:

Don't you just use the thermostats probe temp as the incubation temp guideline?
Shouldn't you have a thermostat hooked up to your incubator? What would be the need of a secondary thermometer if you are using a t-stat (Helix/Herpstat)?

I frequently test my all thermometers with a temp gun, just for piece of mind. I am currently using 7+ of the AcuRite thermometers in various settings. I tested them just now and of the 7 tested - 4 were spot on, 1 measured 2 degrees higher, one measured 1 degree higher and the other measured 1 degree lower.

I think a lot of the discrepancy between thermometers/temp guns may have to do with the actual "surface" temp being tested... ie; ambient temps will be off compared to "stuck on- hot spots"... if that makes sense :weirdface

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Yes, there is a Helix thermostat hooked up to the incubator. However, you also use a thermometer to measure the temps inside the egg boxes. Theres usually a varying degree from what you set your thermostat to, and what the temps actually are (at least that's my experience with racks).

In other words, you don't depend on the reading from the thermostat alone - you should also be using a digital thermometer as well to monitor the temps.

Robin, what I did was take 5 Acu-Rites with fresh Duracell batteries in them and line them up along my kitchen countertop. I left them there for a number of hours and compared results. Out of 5 I had 1 that was off by 2 degrees. That one is now on the wall of my BP room with a note to add 2 degrees to the room reading. If they are all off, then they are all off by the exact same amount, which isn't really reasonable to suppose. I do know that I've found using Duracells rather than dollar store batteries and changing those out every 6 months tends to keep Acu-Rites reading better (I just recycle those batteries into tv remote controls, etc. until they fully run out).

I will be getting a good temp gun but I think there, if you buy a cheapo temp gun you really can't depend on it being anymore reliable either.

Bean Farm sells a Taylor therm for $15 (I have3) that is very accurite. I have one in a egg box in the middle of the incubator and it is within .1 of my Herpstat thermostat. I lined my three next to each other and they were .1 different in temp and 1% in humidity. I have an atomic digital wall clock that I know is dead on and the Taylors were .1--.2 off. Tatlors have a long sender and even has a humidity fuction. I like it!!! I would also suggest using fresh batteries. I also rotate them out to remotes and such as well. Itsounds like many of us are doing some of the same things. That has to be a good thing I think. Good Luck!

We run our incubator with a Helix 1500 wat system, not because I need that much output, but mostly because it reads in tenths of a degree, and I like the fine adjustments that can be made with it. I have my Helix set at 89.6 degrees. It will typically fluctuate .2 degrees plus/minus. I then have 2 Accurites that are sitting in different spots, with the outside probes sitting in 2 other spots. This allows me to see the temps in 4 different locations of the incubator to compare with the reading on the Helix. For the actual egg boxes, we use an aquarium thermometer, that is about the size of 2 quarters and has a probe that is about 24 inches long. The thermometer has a suction cup that we stick on the front of the egg box, and run the probe around back and stick it in the box from the rear. These thermometers are precise to .1 of a degree. Most of these thermometers (we have 12 of them) read between 90.2 degrees and 88.8 degrees. We don't put one on each box, but spread them throughout the incubator. As for the brand name, I'll have to check when I get home, as I can't remember it right now. I'll try to get a picture up tonight as well.

I hope that helps,

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Yes, there is a Helix thermostat hooked up to the incubator. However, you also use a thermometer to measure the temps inside the egg boxes. Theres usually a varying degree from what you set your thermostat to, and what the temps actually are (at least that's my experience with racks).

In other words, you don't depend on the reading from the thermostat alone - you should also be using a digital thermometer as well to monitor the temps.

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Thank you. I was under the wrong assumption that the thermostats (Helix) were the most accurate. I do understand the concept of using more than one temp source - better safe than sorry. Again, thank you for clarifying for me and I hope you realize I meant no disrespect, to anyone, just didn't understand.

I always keep several spare accurites and other brand digital thermometers together to test for accuracy and keep at least 2 in the bator. I use a herpstat pro and it is always extremely accurate as well. I keep mine at 88.5 because to allow for warm ups.

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Originally Posted by muddoc

For the actual egg boxes, we use an aquarium thermometer, that is about the size of 2 quarters and has a probe that is about 24 inches long. The thermometer has a suction cup that we stick on the front of the egg box, and run the probe around back and stick it in the box from the rear. These thermometers are precise to .1 of a degree. Most of these thermometers (we have 12 of them) read between 90.2 degrees and 88.8 degrees. We don't put one on each box, but spread them throughout the incubator. As for the brand name, I'll have to check when I get home, as I can't remember it right now. I'll try to get a picture up tonight as well.

I hope that helps,

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The brand name is Coralife, and I apologize for the late picture, but here it is. Don't mind the temp on the box, as I had just pulled it out of the incubator to put our first clutch of eggs in it. This box has been in the bator for about a week, and has read between 89.8 and 90.1 dgrees.

http://www.baileyreptiles.com/pics/inctherm.jpg

Thanks so much Tim! Can you get those at Petsmart, or do you have to go to a fish store? We do have one next door to my nail salon, so I can dash in there and pick up some.

Congrats on that first clutch!

I get them from Sean, and I don't know where he gets them. I'll check on it later today.

In answer to this question - YES - you can get these at Petsmart for $8.99 each - just picked up three today! :D

Robin I have a few of those myself but my batteries died.. LOL

Thats what I use also. I put one in each level. They are Great!

Good to know John! Got one for each egg box!

And Ed - why did you let the batteries die?