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Thermometers

G

grandlinegirl

New member
So, I'm a little confused about them. I may be getting my first snake tonight but I need to get a thermometer for its enclosure. I see people talking about digital probe ones but there aren't any in my pet store. I searched walmart but could only find cooking ones with a probe. Is that the same thing??
 
This might be a bit more clear. When you have the UTH (Under Tank Heater) in place, you will need a thermoSTAT like the one Rigby & Marcy suggested. Set it to 30°. The probe that it comes with should be right over the middle of the UTH on top of the glass, under the substrate.

Then you need another probe therMOMETER with the probe next to the other probe to verify the STAT is keeping proper temperatures. Here is one many use, they are so cheap so stock up on several. The batteries are worth more than the thermometer! thermometer
 
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A lamp dimmer works as a rheostat, lots cheaper too. Go on line and Google "reptile probe thermometer ". A heat sensor gun is a ridiculous waste of money. A corn snake will be completely happy with a uth set at °80-°90. At that temp it will feel warmish to a human hand, and very comfy to a corn. The temp a humans skin gives off is about °90. If that was too hot they wouldn't be able to be handled.😉
 
I've used light switch dimmer / rheostats in a pinch, but be advised that their temps should be monitored closely as any change in indoor ambient temperature can cause the heat pad to increase/decrease in temperature. Personally I prefer an actual thermostat, either an on/off one such as a rigged up Ranco, or a proportional such as a Herpstat. I'd keep the temps on the low to mid 80's, I don't like to approach the 90's.

I still like to keep a probed thermometer in place for each cage as well, to monitor temperatures. I've seen a probed thermometer for sale at some pet stores before such as this one. But you can also find them at places like walmart or home improvement stores like home depot and lowes, people keep them] in their house and use the probe to monitor outdoor temperatures (with wireless technology improving they are getting harder to come by for that purpose though). Here is an example of one I have
 
Okay, so I'm getting a little confused by all the advice!! If I get these two things:

http://www.amazon.ca/Jumpstart-Digi...&sr=8-1&keywords=jumpstart+digital+thermostat

AND

http://www.amazon.ca/SainSonic-Temp...id=1422131621&sr=8-1&keywords=temperature+gun

Will I be okay with those two? I also have a giant hermit crab tank so I think the temp gun would work well for both. Is that all I need for my snake?

I already have her in a 6 liter sterilite container and she's happy. I have a mini heat mat, with the container sitting on about an inch of it. I have no way to regulate the temp right now, so I don't want to put too much heat on it. Right now she's curled up asleep over the heat mat but she has plenty of space to get away to a cooler spot if she needs it.
 
The thermostat is one used by many of us here, and it will regulate the UTH which needs to be under about 1/3 of the viv. I would get one immediately.

To ensure it is holding proper temps, the gun will work fine but there are cheaper alternatives like the one in my post above. You will find the same thermometer in different colors and prices ranging from $2 to $15 on the same item. Whenever I find a lower price on eBay I post it.
 
Keep in mind everything is more expensive in Canada and many eBay sellers won't ship here. That's why I posted the Jumpstart on the Canadian Amazon page. I think the heat gun looks like a good deal, I'm considering getting it for myself too!
 
http://tempgun.com

I've thought about that model on amazon (US) but many reviews show it and similar models with a +/- of up to 12°F. Something that inaccurate could kill a snake if temps are on the high end, or even cool end if the snake has eaten and is not warm enough to digest.
 
HerpsOfNM said:
http://tempgun.com

I've thought about that model on amazon (US) but many reviews show it and similar models with a +/- of up to 12°F. Something that inaccurate could kill a snake if temps are on the high end, or even cool end if the snake has eaten and is not warm enough to digest.
Click to expand...

That site doesn't ship to Canada and all the Canadian retailers are in different provinces than me, so that's a no-go.
 
grandlinegirl said:
That site doesn't ship to Canada and all the Canadian retailers are in different provinces than me, so that's a no-go.
Click to expand...

Using your location...

http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/bios-digital-inout-thermometer/6000075838818

That's available at your walmart off of Quinn. Actually a decent thermometer for our keeping needs. You can use adhesive industrial velcro (found over in the fabric and sewing department) to mount the thermometer in the cage. Mount the main unit at middle height on the back wall of the cool side of the cage. Then run the wired probe (aka outdoor probe) to the middle of the under tank heat pad. This will allow you to monitor both cool and hot side temps.

Secure in place with hot glue, aquarium silicone, or duct tape. If you use tape, make sure the snake can't get under it and thus get stuck to the tape. Hot glue and aquarium silicone will obviously have drying/curing times and will be permanent for the most part.

WARNING: duct tape's adhesive tends to get a tad viscous/fluid when warmed and eventually dries out. A better option would be waterproof aluminum ducting tape. However, this tape's adhesive properties make traditional duct tape look like weak clear office tape. BE VERY CAREFUL IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE WATERPROOF ALUMINUM TAPE...OR ANY STRONGLY ADHESIVE TAPE.
 
HerpsOfNM said:
Using your location...

http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/bios-digital-inout-thermometer/6000075838818

That's available at your walmart off of Quinn. Actually a decent thermometer for our keeping needs. You can use adhesive industrial velcro (found over in the fabric and sewing department) to mount the thermometer in the cage. Mount the main unit at middle height on the back wall of the cool side of the cage. Then run the wired probe (aka outdoor probe) to the middle of the under tank heat pad. This will allow you to monitor both cool and hot side temps.

Secure in place with hot glue, aquarium silicone, or duct tape. If you use tape, make sure the snake can't get under it and thus get stuck to the tape. Hot glue and aquarium silicone will obviously have drying/curing times and will be permanent for the most part.

WARNING: duct tape's adhesive tends to get a tad viscous/fluid when warmed and eventually dries out. A better option would be waterproof aluminum ducting tape. However, this tape's adhesive properties make traditional duct tape look like weak clear office tape. BE VERY CAREFUL IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE WATERPROOF ALUMINUM TAPE...OR ANY STRONGLY ADHESIVE TAPE.
Click to expand...

Oh, thank you! That's a super good price, too... I'll pick one up tomorrow!
 
grandlinegirl said:
Oh, thank you! That's a super good price, too... I'll pick one up tomorrow!
Click to expand...

No problem!

This is that waterproof tape I was talking about...

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/nashua-waterproofing-repair-tape-189in-x-109yd/959736

It's awesome stuff, but one needs to be careful when using it. The adhesive is extremely tacky, with the product being able to be applied under water even (IIRC). I usually trim the edges of the tape with a razor blade or utility knife once I have it in place to be sure no excess adhesive is exposed. Obviously be careful when using a razor blade or utility knife too.

You might also be able to use this...

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/air-duct-aluminum-foil-tape/941521

I use a similar product here in Texas for securing my flexwatt heat tape in my various snake and gecko racks. The only problem with it is that it easily tears when being contoured over odd surfaces. Flat and curved surfaces are fine. You'd just have to be careful with it when shaping it around the probe of the thermometer and thermostat.
 
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