Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all,

You might have seen my previous posts as I figured out what was best (and in my price range) for getting accurate cage temps.

Orginally I got your average pet store product, a digital thermometer with no probe, that i was able to fit down in the cage. I quickly replaced this with a digital thermometer with a probe, which read a 10 degree difference! I had not expected such a huge variance.

My temps were still varying quite a bit and I had a feeling it must be the thermometer, yet again. So I recently found a temp gun on ebay for 25 dollars shipped and took the plunge. I got it in on Saturday and started double checking those temps. There was another 5 - 8 degree difference in the accuracy of the "CoraLife Digital Thermometer" I had been using. I think I am finally getting accurate readings and really getting those cage temps where they need to be. I wish it hadn't taken so long, but my female seems to be thriving despite my troubles. I do notice little areas of the heat pad that tend to get hotter than others, but the difference is a matter of 2 to 3 degrees. I got those spots down to 92, and the rest of the warm side varies down to 88.

I just wanted to share my experiences in case someone was having similar problems. Yes, all those wonderful people that posted and told me to get a temp gun were right, I never doubted them... I just never knew how much of a difference it was going to make. Anyways... there ya go!

Now I'm not saying that you can get accurate readings from a good thermometer with a probe, but that pet store stuff... stay away! The good thermometer was going to cost me nearly as much as the temp gun, so I went with that.
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~~Tania~~
1.0 Chinese Water Dragon - Jake
1.1 Leopard Geckos - Chorky and Gilbey
1.0 Maltese Shi Tzu Mix - Mosley
RIP 1.1 Med. Geckos - Mary and Peter

That's awsome to know thank you for posting that.

I have a little stip that i have stuck to the inside of my tank. I am going to go and get a thermometer, well i was, but hearing what you said, that it sounds like the a temp gun is better.

I will definlty have to get one at least some sort of didigtal thermomter soon.
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Ekeve
ekeve2004@gmail.com
There is magic everywhere you look. All you have to do is beleive.

I heard, from Shelley I think, that there is a decent digital thermometer with probe at Wal-Mart for around 7.95. The probe has a flat side so it can fit down on the substrate, sounds like a good thing to try, but I have had no experience with it.
The strips aren't very reliable, and are even worse when it comes to animals that use belly heat. You need to be monitoring the temperatures on their substrate, since that is how they absorbe heat.
Hope that helps... not trying to criticize... just trying to be helpful.
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~~Tania~~
1.0 Chinese Water Dragon - Jake
1.1 Leopard Geckos - Chorky and Gilbey
1.0 Maltese Shi Tzu Mix - Mosley
RIP 1.1 Med. Geckos - Mary and Peter

No that's great! I take no offense. I went to walmart and looked.. but i looked near the garden dept. where alot of digi termometers are at.

I couldn't find one. Well i found one but the were all battery operated. Is that what you have used? thermometers wise? I know alot of walmarts are set up alike. where did she findit? I can send my fiance to get one. He works for walmart. I would really like to find one. Right now i have the strips that are attached tot eh inside walls of my tank. I know its not teh best... but its what i could find quick. I just havne't been able to go out and look for one recently.
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Ekeve
ekeve2004@gmail.com
There is magic everywhere you look. All you have to do is beleive.