Good Thermometer???

[K_Nelson]

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??

[CORBIN911]

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 =)

[K_Nelson]

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

[Tbrown806]

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

[Tbrown806]

Having issues with that link. hopefully this one works:

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

[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

[Cyndymei]

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

[K_Nelson]

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

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

[C2tcardin]

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.

[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 =)