Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I thinking of adding a cage or two my collection so I wanted to get some of your opinions on different ways of tracking temps, especially on multiple (probably stacked)cages.

Should each cage have a permanent thermometer?

Should I just use a temp gun and manually check? (if so is there certain one you prefer? and why)

Do you just set the temps once and let a Proportional Thermostat maintain the temps? (I sure you would routinely check to see if is working accurately)[How do you determine where to place the Proportional Thermostat probe when using with multiple (stacked) cages?]

Or a combination of all of the above?

Any info will be appreciated. Thanks-

>>I thinking of adding a cage or two my collection so I wanted to get some of your opinions on different ways of tracking temps, especially on multiple (probably stacked)cages.
>>
>>Should each cage have a permanent thermometer?
>>
>>Should I just use a temp gun and manually check? (if so is there certain one you prefer? and why)
>>
>>Do you just set the temps once and let a Proportional Thermostat maintain the temps? (I sure you would routinely check to see if is working accurately)[How do you determine where to place the Proportional Thermostat probe when using with multiple (stacked) cages?]
>>
>>Or a combination of all of the above?
>>
>>Any info will be appreciated. Thanks-

All my cages have a thermometer and all my racks have at least one thermometer all digital. Some of my cages also have the combo hydrometer and thermometer. I recommend anyone who is trying to breed have a temp gun and I personally use 205L-IR-Thermometer and works great for me. Thermometers are just a simple gauge the temp gun reveals lots more information about temps and temp gradients. Lowes carries digital thermometers and combos for $8-$13 and these work great.

I also use a proportional thermostat from Helix, I typically set the probe at the furthest/coolest point depending on what type of heating system you are using. For example for a RHP I would mount the probe on the cage floor directly under the RHP, if you are using flexwatt then I would set it directly on the flexwattm see what works best for you. I live in a cooler environment for half the year and I found this works best for me. NOTE: In you example of stacked cages the one on the bottom will more then likely be the coolest and the one on the top would be the warmest so you will need to keep this in mind when placing the probe and again all depends on how you are heating the cages.

Hope this helps.
-----
Jason A.
"Long time Herper, first year Breeder `07."

Thanks Jason,
I am not really planning on becoming a full on breeder, however will probably breed my adult pair again next year. I am just thinking of upgrading to a real/display cage for both my adults rather than have to keep one in a tub to separate them. Also, think I may keep a couple of this year's babies would like to get them smaller display cage(or two) as well. So I figure if I do have multiple cages, they will need to stack. Just want to be as informed as possible before making any purchases.

My current cages/tubs all have there own thermometers. Adult tub and the Babies' tub are only heated with UTH and my adult display cage is heated with UTH and Ceramic Heat Emitter(seems to work well for creating temp gradient). I just use cheap Thermostats(I think they are Zoo Med Repti-temps) but they seem to work after initially dialing them in. I am considering a Helix or another higher end thermostat if I get the stack. I am leaning towards using Radiant Heat Panels in the new large cage, but seems like most people get away with using UTH's or heat tape which is much cheaper, and I already own a couple UTH's. The reason I posted the inquiry is to see what other people use, especially BRB owners.

thanks for your input!