DIY newbie enclosure setup

[I-KandyReptiles]

Also an Accurite is better than those analog thermometers, or no thermometer at all.

[VooDooDoc]

Looks good just be aware that tank won't last him long. You have clearly done your homework. Only suggestion I have is with the lamp, if your temp in the house fluctuates it may be a pain to keep the temp right. I actually run my lamps on a thermostat so I don't have to mess with it. Check it every once in a while though and you will be fine.

One question though, does your thermometer display humidity? Or do you have a sep hygrometer?

[DSpythons]

Looks good just be aware that tank won't last him long. You have clearly done your homework. Only suggestion I have is with the lamp, if your temp in the house fluctuates it may be a pain to keep the temp right. I actually run my lamps on a thermostat so I don't have to mess with it. Check it every once in a while though and you will be fine.

One question though, does your thermometer display humidity? Or do you have a sep hygrometer?

Its a Accurite.. So it has warm side probe temperature, cool side temperature (ambient), and humidity. Also I know it will not last for long.. Will probably upgrade to my spare 20g long tank in 6-8 months. I just read a lot of care sheets which go against keeping a hatchling in a big enclosure. He is also only 70-80 grams.

[DSpythons]

Couple of comments,

WHERE is YOUR THERMOSTAT????!!!!

They are not optional.

I am not a fan of having battery operated appliances inside the enclosure, keep in mind I dislike accurites, the specs allow for to much range. (4ºF up or down from correct and 10% RH) Batteries can leak and get nasty.

I will probably try and get a appliance with out a battery incase of leakage. Also as others stated, my hyrdofarm is in the mail I will lift the tape up and attach it to under the heat pad between the glass. And I am not getting my snake for another 1-2 weeks the breeder wants him to feed 5+ times.

[kitedemon]

Sorry I missed it is in the mail very visual and jumped the gun.

[kitedemon]

Kitedemon, he said his thermostat is in the mail, if you read the post. As far as I can tell this guy has done everything right.

As for the variability in the thermometer, I wouldn't worry overmuch about it. He's not incubating eggs. Even if the hot side reaches 94F when the thermometer is reading 90F, his snake is not going to get burnt, and that's the most important thing. If the battery starts to leak, then perhaps OP could consider a different brand, but surely not every accurite thermometer is destined to leak battery fluid.

I don't believe ANY battery should be inside an enclosure. All batteries can leak especially in warm humid conditions.

There is ALOT of allowable variation in accurite, the manufacturer allows 4ºF up or down from correct. If the unit is 100% functioning according to the manufacturer allows 86-94ºF if it is reading 90ºF. That maybe acceptable for some I don't feel it is.

The three I have owned only one was inside this. The other two were replaced by the manufacturer under the warrantee the worst was 3ºF more than the specs reading 7ºF high. When I set my thermostat accordingly I noticed it was wrong with my finger. I am not convinced the pet store dial types are worse than the accretes. I don't like seeing specs more than 2ºF up or down, I prefer 1ºF up or down. OP if you check the specs and cannot find what the accuracy range is (+/- 2ºF for example) DO NOT BUY IT! general rule of thumb.

Hydrofarm also does not list the specs they are also +/-4ºF and they have 3ºF of hysteresis. This means the most accurate you have is an 11ºF window. IMO you need ONE tool capable of measuring better than 2ºF window. Look at either a more accurate thermometer or a more accurate thermostat. Something should be close (a degree or two) of correct.