Where should sensor go?

[Teapot]

Should the sensor for my thermometer be in the air or on the ground? I'm getting pretty varied readings just by moving it a little and I'm not sure which I should go by. Do I want to monitor the air or ground temp?

 

[VampyricAngelX]

Ground, since that's where the leos are and belly heat is what's important so make sure you keep an eye on that rather than air temps. Plus you could always use one of those thermometers that stick on the side of the tank (without the wire and probe) to monitor the air temp. Or if you have one of those wire and probe thermometers with two probes.

 

[Frognut]

I agree that the main need for your temperature probe is the ground, to make sure they have a proper hot spot for belly heat. But you need to monitor the ambient air as well - especially to make sure you have a good variance between the hot side and the cool side.

And don't use the stick on temp gauges, they measure the temperature of the glass, not the ambient air in the tank.

 

[justindh1]

I use a temp gun for my hot side and cool side to check them. I am always using it to double check everything. Its better if you have multiple tanks and need to buy several thermometers. I put one thermometer inside only to check the ambient temps and the temp gun checks everything else. Its all about the money you want to and can put in. You could have three, one for the ambient, hot side, and cool side or any combination you feel you need.