Thermometer

[Holbeird]

So I know this isnt a reptile thermometer, but as I told you guys, due to being low on funds, I'm looking for the most inexpensive way of doing things. What do you think about me mounting this in his cage.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...7GT&lpage=none

Since its indoor and outdoor, I could have the "indoor" part on one side of his cage, and the "outdoor" probe on the otherside of his cage, to measure the differnt tempatures, also, it would measure the humidity. What do ya think!?

**grins** plus wiskers can press his little nose agianst the clock part if he wants to know what time it is!

[MARCUS ANTONIUS]

That is identical to what I personally use and is recommended by many of the "pros" on here as well. I don't know if you've read it or not but that same thermometer/hydrometer is mentioned in the BP care sheet as being the "one to get". BTW, it works perfectly! =)

[Holbeird]

Doh! Didnt see that on the ball python care sheet. I just looked at all the pet shops, and saw they were so incredibly expensive and saw this one at lowes when I was there getting clay pots for hides (which i have to go back because with my snake not being there i overestimated and got pots MUCH bigger then he needs!) so now that I knwo that I'll pick that up tomorrow! Been having a hard time keeping his temp any higher then around 83-85 on the HOT side I recently followed the instructions on the glass cage instruction link with using duct tape and tin foil. My biggest problem is that I keep him in my room and I keep my room kinda cold...but...I currently have one of those little pin-needle thermometers, and as i reach my hand in, I can tell the floor is warmer then where the thermometer is, so I think the fact taht I have the UTH and the thermometer is on the glass half way up the cage, its not reeding those temps :-p

[MARCUS ANTONIUS]

You may want to try "foiling-in" the bottom of the tank so that more heat is trapped there. And this has gone back and forth for a while on here, but I like to put the probe of the thermometer between the UTH and the bottom of the enclosure. To me that seems to give a more accurate reading, plus you DEFINITELY don't want to run the risk of your snake accidentally moving the probe if it's in the tank with him/her.

I just happened to think, are there any vents around the tank? A cool breeze from an A/C vent would make keeping temps up a bit difficult. You may also have to close your vents off a little in your room to allow the room to be warmer. I see you're from Charlotte, what are your avg. temps in winter there? Do you have a tough time keeping the house warm? That may also be something to look into as well.

[Holbeird]

no tough time keeping the house warm, its a window ac unit, set on about 70 ish most times and the tank is at the opposite side of the room from the ac (ac blowing from the west wall to the east, and the tank is at the south wall). I'll see how the temps are when I get the probe and all set up, and then make my decision to what im gonnd do a/c wise

[Grim91Z]

Wow, thanks for that link. I definitely need to hit Lowes tomorrow (right down the street from that reptile place, anyway). I'm also thinking about that foil/electrical tape thing.

[JLC]

Hi Holbeird and welcome to the forums! :

I just wanted to throw out one suggestion for ya, if you continue to have trouble raising the temps in your cage. Plastic tubs. Granted, they aren't nearly as pretty as the tanks...but they do VERY well at keeping temperatures and humidity in the proper ranges.

Even so...if you keep the room around 70, whether you "go plastic" or not...you may want to consider a second UTH...one for each side of the enclosure. (Ok...that's two suggestions! LOL) Make sure both heaters are hooked up to t-stats and/or rheostats (dimmer switches) and set each to keep the proper gradient in the enclosure.

With a large glass tank in a cold room, though...it may be quite difficult to keep the overall ambient temps high enough, even if the floor of the cage is warm enough. If you really don't want to try plastic tubs, then you might try to insulate three sides of the glass, and maybe even extra heat from above (which plays havoc with humidity, usually.)

Hmmmm....that's more suggestions. I'll hush up now!

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

I use the in/outdoor therms too. Work great and are cheap enough to own multiple. I need to send out for a new temp gun though

[kavmon]

you don't have to use a temp gun. they are 2-3 deg +/-in accuracy just like the accurites and other digital thermometers. if you just want one that's cool, just don't buy one thinking they are more accurate or precise than digital thermometers. imo, i would spend the money on proportional stats rather than laser thermometers. i already have laser thermometers for work though.


vaughn

[rmune0750]

i use a little plastic therm...cost like nada