Accurite digital thermometer

[Eddie789]

Hello i just bought the Accurate digital thermometer at walmart. I would like to know which reading to go by the indoor or the outdoor reading and also where to place the probe and thermometer! Thanks.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

The Acu*Rite thermometer is very simple to use. Just place the housing part of the thermometer in the coolside of the enclosure. Then stretch the wire over to the hotside and set the probe on the basking spot directly under the basking bulb. You should wait about 45 minutes to get your best reading.

The temps will read as such...

Top reading (IN) will be your coolside temp
Middle reading (OUT) will be your basking temp
and of course the last reading is the humidity, which for a beardie should range between 30%-40%

Hope this helps!

 

[Eddie789]

Ok awesome!

I got a reading of 75 cool side 110 hot side and 43 percent humidity. The house is at about 75 degrees right now.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Glad to hear you got it figured out. You might want to try and raise the coolside temps a bit. 75 degrees is a bit cool.... 78-82 is better.
How old is your beardie?

 

[Eddie789]

How could i raise the temp on the cool side?
Don't have a beardie yet! Getting everything ready!

 

[Eddie789]

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Your set up looks very nice. Glad to hear you are doing your homework and getting everything just right before bringing a beardie home. I wish more people were like that.
For raising the temps in the coolside, you could put a low watt bulb in that end.
Do you have the UVB light yet?

 

[Eddie789]

Yes sir! Went to a reptile show today and was tempted but i am glad i waited! I do have the fixture but need the bulb. I am going to get it in the coming week. I am also going to get a ceramic heat emitter.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

I don't know what kind of UVB you had in mind, but the best on the market right now is the ReptiSUN 10.0 fluorescent tube UVB. They can be hard to find at local pet stores and if found can be rather pricey. You can find them online here for a reasonable price http://www.petmountain.com
Make sure you get the tube... not the coil/compact.

 

[Eddie789]

Yeah thats what i had in mind! I put a regular 60w house bulb on the cool side and the temps now are 83 cool side 113 hot side 35 percent humidity.

 

[BKRsBeardie]

You will love the thermometer. I have tried others but this one really helps especially knowing what your temps go to at night when you only have the heat emitter on. Depending on the age of the dragon you get you may have to lower your basking spot a little. I was advised to keep our baby between 100 - 105 degrees. Not a biggy since you are getting all ready before hand, which I must say is BRILLIANT of you! Wish I had been a member here before I brought our baby home. Good Luck with choosing your Beardie, can't wait to see pics!

 

[Eddie789]

You will love the thermometer. I have tried others but this one really helps especially knowing what your temps go to at night when you only have the heat emitter on. Depending on the age of the dragon you get you may have to lower your basking spot a little. I was advised to keep our baby between 100 - 105 degrees. Not a biggy since you are getting all ready before hand, which I must say is BRILLIANT of you! Wish I had been a member here before I brought our baby home. Good Luck with choosing your Beardie, can't wait to see pics!

Yeah i am loving the thermometer! It really helps a lot! The basking spot got to 113 today in the evening and going to check throughout tonight what temps get to. My house is a bit cold so it might drop a little at night. Thanks i sure will post pics when i get him/her!

 

[diamc]

Hi there, good for you getting everything all set up before you get your beardie. If I could make a suggestion, try using a 40 watt household light bulb on the cool side and see what the basking and cool side temps are then. You really don't want a basking temp any higher than 110 and a cool side of even 78 would be fine. Let us know how you make out.

 

[Eddie789]

Huh i am having trouble with the temps right now. I got a reading of 120 today on the hot side. THe probe was right under the light and its a 75w zoo med basking lamp. Would i need to go to a lower wattage? Or maybe move the basking hide/rock a little further away from the middle of the lamp? Oh could i use a regular house bulb for a basking bulb or does it have to be a special basking bulb. I do have red nocturnal lights do those work as basking bulbs? Sorry for the stupid questions. Also what side should the hide be on the hot side or the cool side?

 

[BKRsBeardie]

Huh i am having trouble with the temps right now. I got a reading of 120 today on the hot side. THe probe was right under the light and its a 75w zoo med basking lamp. Would i need to go to a lower wattage? Or maybe move the basking hide/rock a little further away from the middle of the lamp? Oh could i use a regular house bulb for a basking bulb or does it have to be a special basking bulb. I do have red nocturnal lights do those work as basking bulbs? Sorry for the stupid questions. Also what side should the hide be on the hot side or the cool side?

First off....The only stupid question is the one you don't ask. The group is full of people that are more then willing to help ya, so please don't feel bad. Let's see, your basking spot is getting too hot. Like above try to get it between 100 - 105 (should be no more then 110) My basking spot was getting too hot so I rasied the bulb just a little (about 1") and it lowered the spot 8 degrees or so. When my cool side was too cool I moved my basking spot over a few inches(towards the cool end) and it increased temp on the cool side of the tank. Yes, you can use a regular household light bulb for the basking spot or for additional heat.(I have used a 75 watt and it worked well with the basking spot about 10 12" away, you will have to play around with what works for your set up) At night you will want to cut off all lights and use a heat emitter for heat. I have a red/heat bulb, but have read that you have to watch that your baby can sleep with the light. My hide is inbetween the hot and cold side. Someone else may better advise on this since my baby only sits on top and doesn't use the hide yet. Hope I answered everything for you. I am still new at this myself so someone may come behind with better advise.