How to measure heat on a basking spot?

[Terri Snowden]

Hi all,

Just woundering how everyone measure the temperature of there bulbs? Do you use a thermometer and do you put it directly under the bulb etc? I have a 160 watt mega ray bulb and a deep dome zoo med lamp. Just woundering how to check the temp and what distance it should be etc

Thanks

 

[Yourlocalpoet]

Get a temp gun! They're amazing! It's also quite fun taking the temperature of EVERYTHING in your house with them too!

 

[lisa127]

Infrared temperature gun. No one who keeps reptiles should be without one.

 

[naturalman91]

temperature gun you can get em pretty cheap and they work for a lot of things

 

[BobbiandZumi]

What brand of infrared temp gun do you guys recommend? I'm finding mixed reviews on several on Amazon.

 

[Elohi]

What brand of infrared temp gun do you guys recommend? I'm finding mixed reviews on several on Amazon.

I have this one. It was $30 or so at Home Depot.



Elohi(Earth)

 

[N2TORTS]

What brand of infrared temp gun do you guys recommend? I'm finding mixed reviews on several on Amazon.

Just run over to the Home Depot .......The Ryobi gun works just fine and all of about 25 bucks !

 

[N2TORTS]

LOL ....... you posted that 30 seconds before I typed it !

 

[BobbiandZumi]

Awesome! Twin answers! Sounds like a winner! thanks!

 

[dannel]

I use this one.

 

[tortoisetime565]

I use this one! It was like 50-100 I can't remember.

 

[Tom]

To measure the basking temp I like to put a rock or brick about the same size as the tortoise directly under the bulb and let it cook for hours. Then measure the temp on the top of your rock with either a remote probe from a thermometer or with one of the above mentioned temp guns. Then adjust the height of your bulb as needed and re-check.

I have several types of infrared temp guns and they all work fine. Here is one:
http://www.lllreptile.com/store/catalog/-/zoo-med-reptitemp-infrared-temp-gun-thermometer/

 

[BobbiandZumi]

Using a rock is a brilliant idea! I'll be using that method!

 

[tortdad]

A rock, fantastic idea.