Thermostat/temperature

[majahawt]

So I have a kind of technical question, I don't know if anyone will be able to answer it directly, but mostly I'm just wondering if anyone else experiences is and what to do about it.

The thermostats on my heat mats are set to 32 C and the temperature probe is on top of the substrate, making sure the temperature doesn't rise higher than 32 C. However, when I put the probe of a thermometer in the same place, I get degrees like 36-40 C. Which is correct? Do I need to turn the thermostat down?

I'm having the same issue in both my tanks, even though both the heat mats and the thermostats are all different brands.

 

[Aimless]

have you calibrated your thermometer, or used more than one?

does your thermometer need new batteries? are the probes you're using for each set in the right orientation for proper reading?


and lastly, have you looked up consumer history for your thermostat? sometimes they malfunction. every herper's worst nightmare

 

[majahawt]

We put two more thermometers in each enclosure yesterday and we were getting weird readings in both tanks but they have gone down to the proper temperature now, perhaps they just went all the way up and then down to the correct temperatures?

 

[Aimless]

well, a thermostat doesn't regulate temps so much as correct for fluctuations (most thermostats work this way). what are the ratings on your thermostat? if it's listed as +/- 4C or something, then you're seeing nothing abnormal.

did all the thermometers say the same thing?

 

[majahawt]

I can't find anything on the +/- 4C but we lowered the temp on one of them to see and now we're getting the correct temps on the thermometer but IDK how to know whether the thermostat is right or the thermometer :/

Thermometers are saying the same thing, I don't know if they're used "correctly"? These are the thermometer probes that are laying flat on the carpet in the warm, dry hide.

 

[JIMI]

Are those cheap thermometers? For awhile I used a few of those cheap yellow zoo med probe thermometers and had similiar experiences. You might want to try purchasing a more reliable thermometer. Perhaps a temp gun! One of the best purchases I've ever made.

 

[majahawt]

I don't remember the price, I think they were about 3-4 GBP each so not very expensive but they're these ones and they've gotten good reviews but I dunno :/

 

[Aimless]

any time I'm not sure (and sometimes just because) I use at least two different types of thermometer. I have a temp gun, probe-style thermometers from the garden shop, and if I really feel like I need a 3rd I check against my kitchen thermometer.

when you buy a thermometer or a thermostat, check the label for the given range of accuracy (the +/-). I also always calibrate a new thermometer against one that I feel is reliable, or take them into the lab where I work and test them there. temperature is so very important.