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stick-on thermometer

paulb

paulb

New member
So I know this question is answered in the FAQ but I was wondering if I could place a stick on thermometer on the bottom of the tank like this and have it still be effective:

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Does this effectively measure the temperature the way it needs to? Will this cause any ill affects to my snake?

Thanks in advance for your time!
 
Putting the thermometer on the bottom wouldn't be a problem for the snake per se. The problem with stick-on thermometers is that they are notorious for inaccuracy. The thermometer I see in your photo, however, isn't what I think of as a "stick-on thermometer." That term is usually used on the forum for the extremely thin plastic kind that is commonly seen on and sold with aquariums. They look rather like a 4" rule; they're flat and they literally stick onto the glass. Yours looks different - and most likely more functional! I haven't used this type; I'm guessing it's better than the flat ones but not as accurate as a standard thermometer.

That said, a probe thermometer is a good investment. They're not too expensive (less than $20) and they eliminate the worry about temps.
 
Awesome; thanks so much for your help! I'll definitely look into getting a probe thermometer.
 
Caryl is exactly right about stick on strip thermometers being inaccurate, but the stick on dial ones can also be just as bad. I had some stick on dial thermometers in the past and once I got my first digital thermometer with probe, I realised how off they can be. I had two different brands (can't remember which now, but not the one you have) that I tested against a digital and found one was reading about 8 degrees under what the true temp was and the other was reading nearly 12 degrees over the true temp, (I even double checked with an infrared temp gun), so they went in the bin!

A digital thermometer with probe is the best way to measure your temps :)
 
I just got a cheapo digital thermometer with probe from Petco the other day for approximately $8. Hooked it up, and my infrared thermometer reading says it's accurate within .1 degree F.
 
sweet! totally heading to petco today to see what they have in stock. Also thinking of picking up some fake vines or some other kind of foliage. I just moved Hobbes from the closet out into the open in my room so I want to try and give him more protection from light in the night time. (I tend to be a night owl)
 
If Petco doesn't have any in stock, you can also try Petsmart, Walmart, or Radio Shack. All of these stores should stock thermometers with a probe.
 
I found one for $8 at Petco. It says not to put the actual digital display in the tank, but I can't have a cord running through the top of my tank. It should be fine if I just place it somewhere near the top inside the tank, right?
 
ok so I have the probe right on the glass where the uth is and its 91 deg F. That's really hot. What do I do to make it not so hot? Turn it off every hour or something?
 
OK, I have a lamp timer that I set up with my UTH. No, it's not as good as a thermostat but I can't really find one for cheap enough (have to wait and see if I'll have enough money this month). I have it set to go on for 30 minutes and off for 60 minutes around the clock. Does anyone know of any ill effects of having the heat fluctuate between 83 and 86-87 degrees F on the hot side?
 
Paulb instead of a lamp timer...use a table top lamp dimmer...it is a cheap rheostat...in american I think about $10 here in Canada it cost me $14 at home depot. You plug it into the wall then the UTH into it. Then slide the dimmer switch and keep checking the thermometer every 30 min or so until you get a temp around 83...you want a temp around 83 because a Rheostat allows temp fluctuation with the house temp fluctuation as it only inhibits the amount of electricity being put out and not controls the temp the way a true thermostat does...but it is much cheaper..then once you have it at about 83 just check your temps a few times a day. Move the slider very slightly to adjust..big movement = big adjustment. Hope this helps you....it will be far more accurate and easier than a timer.
 
Neat idea, thanks. I'll try my local hardware store to see what I can come up with. I just looked online and it looks like they run about $15 here too.
 
It sounds like you're getting things all set up for your snake. If you haven't bought your fake plants yet, you don't necessarily have to get the ones at pet shops. Any fake plants that are appealing to you are fine. Discount and hobby type stores usually have excellent prices and selections. By the by, be sure to check any fake plants for sharp places. Sometimes the wires inside poke through in various places. Not to worry; this is easily corrected with a hot glue gun.

When you get your viv all set, you should post pictures of it - and your snake, of course!
 
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