Is this normal for a new ball?

[shadi11]

with a single tank I dont recommend a temp gun, you can get a digital thermometer at wal mart for $10. People who use temp guns mostly have multiple ball pythons and it makes more sense to buy a temp gun that a $10 thermometer for every enclosure.

Also placing a probe inside the tank can be bad, if the snake urinates or water is spilled on the probe it will tell the thermostat that its a lower temp, this will make the heating pad turn on and get too hot.

I dont want to over load you with info here though, it seems to me like you might be kinda new to this. Once you get a thermometer with a probe and a thermostat we will gladly step you through setting it up on this web site...

Bottom line is you need to get the thermometer and thermostat ASAP...

I suggested a temp gun because usually you can pick up a decent one for the same price as a digital thermometer with probe.
As for the thermostat. The urine would cause a liquid state over the thermostat seeing the probes are sealed this is not a proble. However it will create a denser mass creating a larger heat sink making it more accurite.
Having the probe under gives you an inaccurite reading it is more accurite having it where the snake would lay.

[Mochelem]

I suggested a temp gun because usually you can pick up a decent one for the same price as a digital thermometer with probe.
As for the thermostat. The urine would cause a liquid state over the thermostat seeing the probes are sealed this is not a proble. However it will create a denser mass creating a larger heat sink making it more accurite.
Having the probe under gives you an inaccurite reading it is more accurite having it where the snake would lay.

The cheapest temp gun I can get is $25, I can get a accu-rite thermometer with probe at wal mart for $10.

The probe doesnt matter if its sealed, if you poor liquid on it, then temps are lowered plain and simple. Liquid cools. This would cause a spike in temerature.

However the OP has decided to try a rheostat so this wont be a problem...

[branson]

Quick question, I should get a rheostat for both my lamp and my UTH correct?

Shopping list:

*second identical hide
*2 rheostats
*2 digital thermometers

Sound good?

You can get by with a single digital thermometer if you buy the Accurite unit from Walmart. It's $10-12. It has a main unit (place it on the cool side) and a probe (placed on the UTH). This lets you monitor both sides. And it has a built in hygrometer, so it measures humidity as well. I'm not sure what your setup looks like, but you may be able to use a single rheostat on the UTH. I use a rheostat on my UTH and my lamp is positioned 14" above the tub, so it maintains a constant temp without regulation. Best of luck, and listen to these guys. They knowledge possessed on this board is amazing.

[jorgasm]

I couldn't find any of the digital thermometers any of you mentioned. And I went to two wal-marts and three fred meyers. Needless to say I'm a little pissed at the moment. I hope what I got will work. O_o The brand is mainstays and its a 2-piece digital meat thermometer with a probe. I also couldn't find any light dimmers that were described here which really bummed me out. And top all of that sweetness of the hide I got [for the same price, frome a different Petco] is smaller than the one I currently have in the tank. Damn it! Is that a huge deal? *breathes deep* I need a glass of wine. =p

[Mochelem]

Hmmm Ive never seen a wal mart that didnt have them, what are the temp ranges on that thermometer you bought? Also did you look in the outdoor thermometer section of wal mart?

[jorgasm]

I think the lowest it will go before it turns off is 95 degrees F to like 165... !$@#@!# >_< I'm really upset. 15 bucks and it won't even work.

[dr del]

Hi,

Can you return it? Ask for weather stations and see if they could order one in for you if they have none in stock - or of course there is always ebay.


dr del

[Mochelem]

I think the lowest it will go before it turns off is 95 degrees F to like 165... !$@#@!# >_< I'm really upset. 15 bucks and it won't even work.

Just return it, did you check wal mart in thier outdoor thermometer section? heres a link to what your looking for. They are a lot cheaper at wal mart...

http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Thermo...9453470&sr=1-2

[jorgasm]

I can return it I'm sure, but I won't be able to get back to that wal-mart until next week. Thank the gods I didn't open the damn thing! My ball has been sleeping on top of his hide all day. Does this mean that the heating pad is 100% for sure too hot? I'm worried. ]= And about the second hide I purchased, is it a super big deal that its a little bit smaller than the current one?

[jorgasm]

btw, thanks guys for being so helpful. I appreciate the tips and everything very much.