What temp should I have over the UTH?

[zail]

Since I'm having difficulty keeping temps up at the mo (I've already asked about Red vs White ligts for this reason and am considering swapping to a ceramic heater) I've now got paranoid about the temps of everything! Am generally monitoring 86 to 88 on the UTH area (which is mainly under the hot hide). Posts seem to suggest this should be hotter - what do people measure actually on the UTH area?

[TMoore]

I keep my warm side at 93. Sometimes it will be a bit warmer or colder but it doesn't stray more that a degree or so.

[zail]

I keep my warm side at 93. Sometimes it will be a bit warmer or colder but it doesn't stray more that a degree or so.

Is that what you're actually measuring on the floor?

[TMoore]

That is the temperature of the inside of the tub right above the flexwatt. I measure using an IR thermometer.

[starmom]

I measure 93F on the hot side floor, inside the hide, right now. Lo and behold, my thermostat is set to 92F Thermostats are a must for controlling heat.

I heat my cages with radiant heat panels and I have found that they have more steady temps than the flex watt which heats the racks.

I also use a temp gun for accuracy

[zail]

That's grand - all very useful stuff I'll be making a few changes to ensure everything is more stable.

[simplechamp]

Just remember if you use aspen or some other type of layered substrate that the temp on the bottom of the enclosure and the belly temp of the substrate will vary a few degrees. I use about 3/4 to 1 inch of aspen, have the thermostat set to 95F, and the belly temp on the aspen is ~92F

[zail]

She always digs under the substrate and pushes it out of the way when she sits on the ground but thanks for that tip!

I've turned up the mat stat and am now getting 92 directly above the UTH area... I've also bought a temp gun so that I can monitor more accurately. I've put a second heat mat against one of the sides of the viv (It's a plastic one) and I'm hoping that might help to keep the nightime temps better. I've also bought a red bulb so if that doesn't work I'll put that in.

[BooRadleyAMG]

Just remember if you use aspen or some other type of layered substrate that the temp on the bottom of the enclosure and the belly temp of the substrate will vary a few degrees. I use about 3/4 to 1 inch of aspen, have the thermostat set to 95F, and the belly temp on the aspen is ~92F

I too use aspen about 1 to 1.5 inches thick. My stat is set to 96 but the probe is reading 91-93 give or take. Probe is set under a very thin layer of aspen right under the hide.. I use a 50-75watt lamp (day or night) to keep the cool side at 83-85. At least thats what the probe reads under the hide... She perfers the cooler side most of the time... but every now and then she'll sleep a cpl hours to a full day on the warm side

[Crazy4Herps]

Good! It should be around 90-94 during the day, though the rest of the cage can be 10 degrees cooler. The 90-94 should be measured on the floor of the inside of the hide box, not buried in substrate or on the wall.

Good call with the temp gun. I use a AcuRite with a probe, but I want to get a temp gun as soon as I get enough cash.