Just need to know where the proper place(s) to measure the temperature in an aquarium are. I have a Thermometer with a corded sensor, should I be measuring the ground temperature directly above the UTH, or the air temperature a few inches above it. The reason i'm asking is that right now the sensor is sitting on the substrate (newspaper) directly above the UTH, and it seems too me like it may be too hot, and I have my UTH (it's connected to a rheostat) turned down a good bit. What should the ground temperature typically be...I don't want to burn my snakes belly. HELP PLEASE!!!!!
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HELP PLEASE!!!
DMG
Jul 30, 2003 08:11 AM
Replies (1)
longtang
Jul 30, 2003 08:20 AM
>>Just need to know where the proper place(s) to measure the temperature in an aquarium are. I have a Thermometer with a corded sensor, should I be measuring the ground temperature directly above the UTH, or the air temperature a few inches above it. The reason i'm asking is that right now the sensor is sitting on the substrate (newspaper) directly above the UTH, and it seems too me like it may be too hot, and I have my UTH (it's connected to a rheostat) turned down a good bit. What should the ground temperature typically be...I don't want to burn my snakes belly. HELP PLEASE!!!!!
First of all, the substrate over the heating pad should be thick. Thickness will help you insulate the heat so you don't burn the underbelly of the snake. BP's don't have heat sensors on their belly, so your concerns are valid. They will burn their bellies if you are not careful.
What temp is the substrate measuring?
I have a thick pad of newspaper over my heating pad so that it dampens the heat that comes up from the heating pad. I am also of the mind that I like to have a warm zone (as opposed to a hot spot) for the warm side. I use the 21 inch flex watt and cover about 1/3 to 1/2 of the cage and have it warm (ie turned way down with a dimmer). I don't use small flexwatts that gives a hot spot. My warmth is distributed over a large area.
If you read the website for boaphile: http://www.boaphileplastics.com/ , you will understand the logic behind this heating theory.
By the way, my heated zone measures at most 90 degrees even right on top of the substrate over the flexwatt.
cheers.
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Longtang. I like snakes and rats.
