Habitat - Indoor :: Basking Question

[glueshoe65]

Hi, I have two RES. Their shells are 2 inches long. The water in the tank is about 79 degrees, and I've read and been told that the "basking area" is supposed to be 10 degrees hotter than that.

I have a digital thermometer with a probe, and I was wondering if I should put the probe ON the actual rock that they bask on, or above it, in the area?

Thank you, have a turtle day

[Love of Animals]

You would put the probe where the top of your turtles shell would be while basking.

[steve]

Keep in mind those are not the most accurate type of thermometers. Use a rock or something that is it the approximate height of your turtle and place the thermometer on top of that.

[glueshoe65]

what are the most accurate type? because this one said my water was 80 last night, and this morning changed its mind to 73

[steve]

For water, the stick-on types are pretty good (not 100% accurate but reliable). The ones in the tube are also good, but turtles have a tendency to break those. To take spot-temperature readings, I use an infrared temp gun.