Thermostat or Infrared thermometer?

[Britt005]

So I currently have an infrared thermometer (National Geographic) and Hydrofarm's Jump Start Heat Mat Thermostat, as was recommended here. However I don't know who to trust as they are both reading totally different temps. I had the thermostat set to 92 but the infrared thermometer was reading around 110! I lowered the thermostat to around 85, and the thermometer now reads around 91-93. But I have no idea which one to trust! Was it accurate before and now its too cold? Or was it way too hot and fine now? I'm so confused! I have no idea what the actual temperature is. Part of me thinks the infrared one seems to measure correctly as the cool temps side is about 70 (it's been really cold in California and my roommates are super cheap and never leave the head on) both on the infrared and an analog thermometer that came with the tank both read similar. Perhaps I'm not using the thermostat right? I have the probe taped down (over the wire, not the probe) to the middle of the substrate as it was reading way low when just hovering. I paid around 30$ for each them, so I'd appreciate any advice especially from people who have experience with one or both of the brands!

Also I have a 20gal long tank with zilla terrarium liner (I know everyone here loves slate!).

 

[CWilson13]

I used to use the repti-carpet and found the same issues with my infrared and thermostat. My infrared is a different brand though.

First question I have, where on the substrate is the probe taped down? Second question is where are you measuring with the infrared? Those two answers will be the most help in us trying to get you an accurate answer and hopefully a solution too.

 

[Britt005]

Hello! Sorry for my delayed response.

I have the probe taped down in the middle of her hide. I have to be careful when trusting the temps, because she has a habit of laying right on it sometimes. But I do make sure she is out of the way before "trusting" the temps. I use the infrared the same. But I don't like moving her hide (I want her to think of it as her safe place!) so I typically shoot it in from the side. Perhaps that's it? I would think that would measure it cooler than the probe if anything...

 

[CWilson13]

I have mine in the same place. It seems like your infrared may be picking up on the warm air temperature inside the hide while the probe is more of the actual floor temperature.
Do you have a spare digital thermometer you can tape to the ground with the thermostat probe? The small yellow one by Zoo Med works pretty well and can be found in nearly all Pet stores. I ordered mine from Amazon and paid maybe $7 for it. I really think this would be the easiest way to check how warm the ground is in the hide.

 

[Britt005]

Thanks for the advice. I don't have another digital thermometer, but I'll look into getting one. In the meantime, I will turn the thermostat back up to 91. If it's too hot, she has plenty of places to cool down.

 

[CWilson13]

That sounds like a decent plan. Just be sure to check the temperatures regularly, just in case the thermostat is defective.

 

[Britt005]

Will do. Hopefully it will help get her appetite back up!