Habitat - Indoor :: measuring basking area temperature

[hiddenpassions]

Hi everyone, i'm new to this forum. I have a question that i feel kind of dumb asking. How do you measure the temperature of the basking area? Do you use a normal thermometer and lay it on the basking spot for five minutes, or is there some other way i'm not thinking of? Thanks in advance.

Peace,
Cherry

[BullDog]

Welcome to the forum!

That will work just fine. Try to put the thermometer on something that is about "turtle height" (a turtle works well, if they will stand for it, of course ), then leave it there for about 15 minutes.

If you have a digital thermom, put the probe on your turtle height item for 15 mins.

Another way which is becoming increasingly popular on the forum is to get an infrared thermometer. With this, you can just point it at the basking area, and you get your reading in just a few seconds!

[hiddenpassions]

Welcome to the forum!

That will work just fine. Try to put the thermometer on something that is about "turtle height" (a turtle works well, if they will stand for it, of course ), then leave it there for about 15 minutes.

If you have a digital thermom, put the probe on your turtle height item for 15 mins.

Another way which is becoming increasingly popular on the forum is to get an infrared thermometer. With this, you can just point it at the basking area, and you get your reading in just a few seconds!

Thanks for your reply BullDog. I'm glad i found this forum. Sadly, i've had my RES for several years and am just now learning how to care for her properly. She was rescued from a swiming pool filter by my dad the year i became a teenaged mom and the rest is a long story. I'm doing my best financially and education wise to care for her better now.

Peace,
Cherry

[ScrewZoo]

Just go to petco and buy a 2 dollar thermometor u stick on the wall.

[hiddenpassions]

Just go to petco and buy a 2 dollar thermometor u stick on the wall.

Well that makes sense and sounds simple. Thanks.

Peace,
Cherry

[Chrisbarnett]

Just go to petco and buy a 2 dollar thermometor u stick on the wall.

No, those wont do any good if you stick it on the wall near the basking area. Imo, they are pretty much pointless.

Spend another 3 bucks and get a digital therm.

[hiddenpassions]

Spend another 3 bucks and get a digital therm.

Having three children i already have a digital thermometer. Does it really take 15 minutes to get a reading? When you take a person's temp. it beeps after only a minute or two. Thanks.

Peace,
Cherry

[ScrewZoo]

Just go to petco and buy a 2 dollar thermometor u stick on the wall.

No, those wont do any good if you stick it on the wall near the basking area. Imo, they are pretty much pointless.

Spend another 3 bucks and get a digital therm.

Yeah they work fine for people with a budget, its a little round one that sticks to the side of the tank, you can put it right where the turtles sit, then it always keeps the turtles temps for you.

[Chrisbarnett]

Spend another 3 bucks and get a digital therm.

Having three children i already have a digital thermometer. Does it really take 15 minutes to get a reading? When you take a person's temp. it beeps after only a minute or two. Thanks.

Peace,
Cherry

Not that kind of heater.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=12089
thats the kind I'm talking about, you leave it there and it tells you the temp as it rises.

[hiddenpassions]

Not that kind of heater.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=12089
thats the kind I'm talking about, you leave it there and it tells you the temp as it rises.

I get it now. I knew i was confused when i asked the question in the first place. That's why i asked if you could use a regular thermometer.

Peace,
Cherry

[hiddenpassions]

Yeah they work fine for people with a budget, its a little round one that sticks to the side of the tank, you can put it right where the turtles sit, then it always keeps the turtles temps for you.

I'll probably get one like you are talking about for now. I already have to set up a new tank, and create a new basking area (her turtle dock sinks now cause it's old and she's too big for it) this weekend, and there is lots of other stuff my turtle needs that i can't afford yet. Thanks.

Peace,
Cherry

[untsmurf]

You can use a regular human thermometer. Of course you'll want to either sterilize it after you use it, or get one specifically for the turtle tank.

Digital thermometers like the one Chris mentioned are very nice, they constantly monitor the basking temps and you just have to walk over to find out what it is.

The stick on one that Screwhead referred to looks like this:


They're really cheap and work just as well as a digital. I use them for my water temperature. But if you have a particularly snippy turtle, I wouldn't suggest this type because it's a glass thermometer and the turtle could break it.

[hiddenpassions]

Thank you for your opinion as well Christi. You've all been very informative.

Peace,
Cherry

[untsmurf]

we do what we can.