Thermostats and Thermometers

[rmcneill]

Hello, im a little bit confused with these two.
I have a enclosure which measures W=2.5ft D=2ft H=1.5ft and i have a single probe thermostat, i have been told to put the probey part at the hot end (near the heat emmiter) and set it at about 32c. So im assuming i would then need to get a thermometer to check both cool and hot ends regularly??...or would I be better getting one of those mounted ones with dual probs for each end??
Im not sure which
Thanks :|

 

[Chris89]

I use a dual probe thermomter, so it shows the temperature in the hot and the cool end.

I know that some people have 2 seperate thermometers for both ends of the enclosure - Whatever works for you really.

 

[Chris89]

Also, I don't put the probe as close to the heat emitter.

Example: In my stimsons enclosure, her favorite basking spot is onto of her log (which is under the heat emitter) so I have the thermometer probe and the thermostabe prob positioned there and set to 32ºc, so that area is at 32ºc.

 

[rmcneill]

OK cool thanks!! i also noticed the little hand held thermometers to check each side but they are a bit more expensive. So i would sit the thermostat prob and thermometer prob together near his/her fav spot and set it for 32ish, then the cool end should sit at about the right temp on it own

 

[Chris89]

It should be fine, the enclosure is a decent length so there should be an okay thermal gradiant.

 

[rmcneill]

thanks, i just dont want to stuff anything up! make sure its all good and set up befor i put anything in there!!

 

[Chris89]

I have taken some pictures of where the probes are set up in my Stimsons Enclosure:

The Enclosure:

Where the probes are:

Chris

 

[rmcneill]

WOW thanks! that really helped! the prob on the thermostat looks the same as yours..i didnt think of putting it through the vent...Good idea! ok i think i will get the dual thermometer this avo. Also your screen for the thermometer is not mounted its on the outside of the enclosure with the thermostat, do you find that better than it in the enclosure?

 

[Chris89]

I found that when I had the screen inside the enclosure, the stimmie kept on knocking it over or moving it around the enclosure etc, so that's why I put the probes through the vent and have the thermometer screen leant against the thermostat control.

 

[rmcneill]

Ok cool! how old was your little stimmie when u got him? did u find you needed to put any foam or anything bettween the glass doors so he wouldnt get out?

 

[Ramsayi]

I would position the probe on the back of the enclosure down near ground level about 1 1/2 ft away from the cool end side.

 

[rmcneill]

ok thanks ramsayi, so it would be say 3/4 way along the back wall towards the hot side? Thats sounds pretty good

 

[Chris89]

Ok cool! how old was your little stimmie when u got him? did u find you needed to put any foam or anything bettween the glass doors so he wouldnt get out?

The Stimmie is a female , I have newspaper between the gaps in the glass - But I removed it for taking the photo.

 

[rmcneill]

opps haha!! ok cool i will def be doing that too!!

 

[Ramsayi]

ok thanks ramsayi, so it would be say 3/4 way along the back wall towards the hot side? Thats sounds pretty good

Yes.
Also postion the thermostat probe as close to ground level as you can.Place a thermometer probe right next to the thermostat probe and set your temps around 27C...That way you will know on the hotter side the snake will have a nice basking temp and it will obviously be below 27C at the cooler end.