Best thermometer/ Heat wire?

Lickeypie · 02-28-13, 11:46 PM

Hi, I was wondering which digital thermometer (preferably with a probe) would be the best bang for the buck?

Also I was wondering if heat wire is suitable for a ball python. As of now, my BP won't go in any hides (not even on the one with the heat pad). I'm worried that he's not warm enough. I have a 75 watt basking bulb as well, but my house is very cold. I have two bulbs that are on timers, ones day time and ones night time.

Thanks (:

stephanbakir · 03-01-13, 12:24 AM

How big is the enclosure? With a 75 watt bulb and a heat pad, it should be toasty in that enclosure if it's not huge.
Avoid heat wire, use zoomed heat pads or flexwat. The wire has hotspots.

Lickeypie · 03-01-13, 12:31 AM

Thanks! I have a zoomed head pad (:

Also, in the near future, I plan on building an enclosure... probably out of melamine. I was wondering how to use a heat pad with the "floor" being so thick?

Danimal · 03-01-13, 08:47 AM

I use the acurite digital thermometer with humidity in most of my enclosures. It is about 12-15 bucks at walmart. I also use several of the ones with just a probe and a small digital screen, you can find those just about anywhere reptile stuff is sold. Amazon has some for 6-8 bucks. And it's always good to have a interfered temp gun to make sure your hot spots are hot, as well as double check your temp guages to make sure they are in the ball park. You can pick one of those up starting at around 30 bucks at a hardware store. Hope this helps.