IR guns causing me to question temps

ascended · April 13, 2021, 10:19pm

Agreed. Background temperature fluctuations can make a massive difference in tank temperature fluctuation, especially drafts.

304morphs · April 13, 2021, 10:20pm

I just want her to make it until I get the rack. With these temps being insane to manage, i don’t want her to burn or not digest properly due to the me not being able to get accurate readings or keep the temps proper either.

lumpy · April 13, 2021, 10:20pm

That’s where PVC and tubs reign supreme

lumpy · April 13, 2021, 10:22pm

Personally, I do not have a ball python, but if there are reasons that affect her health more than just a bad shed. I would move her into the tub.

304morphs · April 13, 2021, 10:22pm

I guess I could move her to a tub tonight and hope her shed goes smoothly. Her eyes cleared so it could be any day now.

randall_turner_jr · April 13, 2021, 10:23pm

Moving her won’t be an issue. As long as the tub has the proper temps and humidity she will shed fine.

304morphs · April 13, 2021, 10:23pm

Sweet, I’ll do that now.

lumpy · April 13, 2021, 10:23pm

I agree here
try to set up the tub then move her into it

304morphs · April 13, 2021, 10:24pm

And yeah, humidity and ambient temps have never been an issue, is just these damn belly heat temps.

304morphs · April 13, 2021, 10:26pm

I’ll let everyone know how the move goes and how the temps are when I get it set up

lumpy · April 13, 2021, 10:26pm

Absolutely I think it’s going to go great

snakesmiths · April 17, 2021, 5:27pm

Personally, I have found that temp guns are only reliable if you do the 2 following things: 1) don’t take the temp of an object from more than 6-8 inches away and try to hold the beam steady; 2) more importantly, take temps on a smooth, opaque object like a rock or hide (not on uneven bedding or clear glass or plastic that “breaks up” the beam. Also, of course, make sure your batteries are fresh. Hope this helps

ballornothing · April 18, 2021, 5:38pm

IR guns don’t measure temperature in as simple of a fashion as it seems.

The laser is a pointer and nothing more.
They measure the difference in the temperature of a surface and the surrounding environment. High delta t air currents and other factors can affect the environmental temperature enough to give a fluctuating or inaccurate reading.

Keep in mind these things actually read a spectrum of light and calculate a temperature based on that. They aren’t physically reading the temperature of the surface.