Equipment Review and Discussion :: Basking thermometer location

[Ryano]

Sorry to bother you guys with so many questions, but I'm kinda new to this and only want the best for my RES. I was wondering, in your basking areas where do you guys put your thermometers? I have an above the tank basking area box and am going to put in a digital thermometer. Also in this area what should it read? What is too hot? It seems this megaray 100w bulb I bought is going to be fairly warm. I did burn it in for 12 hours. I'm going to have it around 14 inches above my basking area pointed straight down. I don't know if it matters but my water temp is around 76-78 degrees. I read 10 degrees warmer than the water, but it doesn't take much to reach that temp.

[Kansasslider]

Put it directly under the mega ray for a reading. I would say around 90° is just fine but its also important that not the whole basking area be that hot. In what I have learned in the last 2 years is a big basking area is better than a small one. Turtles can then move to where the like the temp to be. You also don't leave it there. Just need to use it on setup then you can take it out. I live where my basement gets cold so when it does I move it a little closer. My lights are on chains.

[ljapa]

Mine is a basement setup with a MegaRay on chains too. I have it a little closer now that the a/c is on.

I agree wit Kansasslider that a variance in temp is good, so your turtle can choose what is right. My turtle definitely shifts where she is in the basking zone.

I think the 10 degree difference is a minimum to encourage basking. My water temp is set at 74 and the highest temp in my basking area, measured at the surface, not a turtle shell, is in the upper 80's. When she was much smaller, the water temp was 78 and the basking area was in the mid-90's at the hottest area.

[Ryano]

Cool guys thanks a lot. Just finished installing my basking area, gonna get pics of my setup soon for everyone

[steve]

Is it a digital probe that goes for $5-10? Those are junk, do not rely on those. If you have a large basking area, the turt can move around and choose it's own spot. My RES like to warm up their butts

A good way to measure the temp is use cut a paper cup in half and place the thermometer over it for a few minutes. Larger RES can tolerate more heat, so don't stress about being exactly 10 degrees warmer.