I am setting up a new tank and I have an IR temp gun (Radio Shack) and also a digital with probe.
I placed the probe on a surface and got a temp of 97 degrees. Then I temped it with the gun and got 115 degrees. I understand color can effect the actual temperature of a surface.
What I don't understand is if you are using the probe it is metal while the surface of the spot is brown. Which one do you go by. If I go by probe and raise the spot to 110 I'm sure the temp with the gun will read well into the 130's.
I have always used the gun on my current setup and the dragons bask, occasionally gape and sometimes move to the side of the hot spot then back on which tells me the temps there are adequate.
Personally, I trust the gun's readings because of this. I'm pretty sure the digital with probe is supposed to be accurate within 5 degrees.
Has anyone with both a gun and digital probe experienced this? If so what does that mean about surface basking temps.
Another thing that concerns me. I have both a green mesh hammock and a brown solid leather like hammock I bought from The Classy Lizard. Temp the mesh one and it reads 101 degrees. I only layed the brown hammock right on the green mesh one and the temp registered 120 degrees! Both of these temps were taken with the digital.
Would it be advisable to use a material similar to the color of your beardie placed on the basking spot and temp it with the gun? After all, that's the color that will be absorbing the heat. I think that would be the only true, accurate way to measure the correct amount of heat to use.
With this in mind I also think it is essential to have multiple elevations at the basking spot to allow the beardie to go to the level it needs. Especially if you are using the digital probe type thermometer
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
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Rob
