Temperature gradient

[Luvyna]

Yeah, IR temp guns are where it is at. Ground temp is very important and IR temp guns are very accurate.

I am glad you were able to get a good temp gradient. Your BP will be happy!

When using the temp gun I check multiple spots on each side. I might hit 3 spots on the hot side and 3 on the cool side. Easy since you get an instant reading. That gives me more information. In my BP's tank, it is usually 87-89F under the RHP, but 85-87F where the heat panel isn't directly over. I use heat tape and an RHP together.

The point is if you have a small spot that's 90F and most are 87-88F, for example, that's fine. Additionally, as long as there is ample space for your BP to digest, it is okay if there are areas of the hot side that are a lower temp. A gradient there, if the hot side is big enough, is okay too.

It is always fun to get a new enclosure, for both you and your BP.

Enjoy and keep us posted!

Thank you! I check multiple spots as well, there are some parts of the enclosure near the edges that are cooler than 78F and it looks like the warmest parts are 87-88F. I focus on the temperatures for the hides since that's where my BP spends most of his time.

One other question I had was where I should be measuring the temperature for the warm spot with the temp gun - should I measure the bedding under the hide, or the outside top of the hide, or the inside ceiling of the hide? The top of the hide on the warm side is showing 87-88F (outside surface and ceiling) but the bedding in the warm hide is only around 85F.

I used to be able to get an 88-90F warm spot with belly heat for my BP, but if I was to get the temperature of the bedding inside the hide to 87F now, I would have to turn the heating higher, which would probably make the cool side temps too high and the outside surface/ceiling of the hide would also be warmer than 90F.

For context, my BP has two of those plastic black rectangular hides (one on the warm side, one on the cool side) and a cave hide in the middle.