Rack heating set up Qs as well as Temp Gun Qs

[Pinky81]

Ok so I have like a million and one digital thermometer probes simply because I had tubs with UTH's for hatchlings last season. Im a couple weeks out from picking up my Animal Plastics Rack and Im planning on getting a Helix 1000 for my thermostat. My rack is 8 shelves will fit 2-15qt tubs on each shelf or one 32qt tub. It will be wired with 3in Flexwatt belly heat. Here are my questions...

When setting up this rack with the thermostat where is the best place to put the temp probe?? In one of the tubs? What shelf...bottom...middle...top shelf? Do you put the probe directly on the flex watt or just close to it?

My other question is Im considering getting a Temp Gun. So I don't have all these temp probes trying to get into the tubs. How does this whole temp gun thing work..do you really just point it at a tub and it reads the temps? And how does it work with just regular viv's is it the same you point it at the tank and it reads??

What are some suggestions of quality temp guns? There are sooo many out there!

Thanks

 

[fl_orchidslave]

We use a Pro Exotics temp gun. They wholesale to other vendors. If you're going to the Tinley Park show, you might find some there. You might be able to find one on kingsnake.com classifieds. There could even be some available in GF classifieds.........

It must be a nightmare with digital probe cords in each tub. Also a good way for a sneaky gecko to make a fast escape. As far as your thermostat probe placement, I can't help you there, I use a dimmer and adjust seasonally since my room is mostly closed off.

 

[Pinky81]

Ummm yea COMPETE NIGHTMARE!!!!!! And thats how I had two escapes this last season! Im really not sure what I will do with myself all of this next seasons organization LOL

Yea Im going to wait till Tinley to buy for sure! Pro Exotics has two different guns the PE1 and PE2 any thoughts on the difference? And Laney i know this seems like a really dumb question but how the hell does the gun know what temp it is on the hot side of a tub???

 

[Pinky81]

bump

 

[BrightReptiles]

The temp gun is on the spot, point and shoot and get a temp. Point it on the hot side, get a hot reading, point it to cold side, get a cold reading. Much easier than probes!

 

[Pinky81]

so you have to pull the tub out to measure temps? also it measures temps thru glass on a viv?

 

[scm133]

Thought I would join in
I have a Animal Plastic Rack with 6 32QT tubs. I am using a Herpstat Thermostat. The probe of the Herpstat is taped directly to the FlexWatt on the bottom shelf (on the side). I use the PE2 temp gun. When I first set it up, I used a tub lid on the shelf over the heat. I just adjusted my Herpstat until I was able to get a good 90-92 reading. I will periodically check each tub when I pull them out to feed and clean with the PE2. Pretty easy and no temp probe wires running out of the tubs.

 

[Pinky81]

Thought I would join in
I have a Animal Plastic Rack with 6 32QT tubs. I am using a Herpstat Thermostat. The probe of the Herpstat is taped directly to the FlexWatt on the bottom shelf (on the side). I use the PE2 temp gun. When I first set it up, I used a tub lid on the shelf over the heat. I just adjusted my Herpstat until I was able to get a good 90-92 reading. I will periodically check each tub when I pull them out to feed and clean with the PE2. Pretty easy and no temp probe wires running out of the tubs.

So you do tape the probe right to the flexwatt hmmm interesting...ok thanks!

Also it seems PE's temp guns are the popular choice...now whats the pluses or minuses of getting a PE1 or a PE2...all Im seeing is the PE2 has a laser pointer so you know exactly where your reading right??

 

[scm133]

Yes..it has a red laser. I also have a Zilla MT100 that works just as well, but without laser.