{"product_id":"zoo-med-analog-reptile-thermometer","title":"Zoo Med Analog Reptile Thermometer","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe cheapest insurance a heated enclosure can carry.\u003c\/strong\u003e The Zoo Med analog reptile thermometer (Zoo Med item TH-20) is a dial gauge reading -6 °C to 49 °C, mounted to the terrarium wall with hook-and-loop backing so it can be repositioned as the enclosure changes. It tells you the air temperature at the exact spot it is stuck — which is the number you need at the cool end, in the hide, and at the animal's resting height.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReptile enclosures are not one temperature. They are a gradient, and the gradient is the whole point: the animal moves along it to regulate itself. A single gauge tells you one point on that gradient, so where you put it decides what it is worth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReads -6 °C to 49 °C\u003c\/strong\u003e — covers a cool-end winter low and a Queensland summer high without pinning at either end of the dial.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHook-and-loop backing\u003c\/strong\u003e — moves to a new spot without adhesive residue, so you can chase the gradient instead of committing on day one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo power, no batteries\u003c\/strong\u003e — nothing to go flat unnoticed, which is the failure mode that makes a digital gauge dangerous when you stop checking it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAt-a-glance dial\u003c\/strong\u003e — readable from across a room, so a daily check costs a second rather than a stop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCheap enough to run several\u003c\/strong\u003e — one gauge gives you a number; two, at each end, give you the gradient.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eZoo Med item number\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTH-20\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOur SKU\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZM13\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBarcode\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e097612300208\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMeasures\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAir temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRange\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e-6 °C to 49 °C (20 °F to 120 °F)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDisplay\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnalog dial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMounting\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHook-and-loop (Velcro-style) backing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePower\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNone — no battery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eManufacturer warranty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 months\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat this gauge does not measure\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn analog dial thermometer reads the air temperature at the point it is mounted. It does not read basking surface temperature, and the two are not close — the surface of a basking rock under a spot lamp routinely sits well above the air a few centimetres away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you need the basking surface figure, you need an infrared temperature gun pointed at the surface itself, or a probe laid on it. Use this gauge for the ambient gradient and a gun for the hot spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is also not a controller. A gauge tells you the temperature after the fact; it cannot switch a heat source off. Every heat mat, ceramic emitter and basking lamp needs a thermostat of the correct type wired between it and the power point. Running a heat source unthermostatted because a thermometer is fitted is the most common cause of burns and heat stress in captive reptiles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere to mount it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePosition\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat it tells you\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWorth doing?\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCool end, at animal height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhether the cool end is genuinely cool enough for the animal to escape the heat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes — the most important single reading\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarm end, at animal height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmbient warm-end air, not the basking surface\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes — pair with the cool-end gauge for the gradient\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInside the hide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe temperature the animal actually spends most of its day in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes, if the hide is large enough\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDirectly under the basking lamp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRadiant heat on the gauge body, not room air — reads high and misleads\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOn the glass in direct sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSolar gain on the gauge, not enclosure air\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e glass and PVC terrariums, snake tubs and racks, bearded dragon and gecko enclosures, tortoise tables, amphibian and invertebrate setups — anywhere you want a permanent, unpowered read on ambient air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e measuring basking surface temperature, measuring heat mat surface temperature, submerged or in-water use in an aquatic turtle tank, or as any part of a temperature control system. It is also not the gauge for someone who needs to know the overnight low while they were asleep — that is a job for a min\/max recording thermometer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich Zoo Med gauge do I need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGauge\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMeasures\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eReads out\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChoose it when\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/zoo-med-analog-reptile-thermometer\"\u003eAnalog Reptile Thermometer (TH-20)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnalog dial, no battery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYou want a permanent unpowered temperature read at one point\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/zoo-med-analog-humidity-gauge\"\u003eAnalog Humidity Gauge (TH-21)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHumidity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnalog dial, no battery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHumidity is the parameter you are chasing, not heat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/zoo-med-digital-min-max-thermometer\"\u003eDigital Min\/Max Thermometer\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperature, with recorded highs and lows\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDigital, battery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYou need to know the overnight low or the daytime peak you were not there to see\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/zoo-med-creatures-dual-hygrometer-thermometer\"\u003eCreatures Dual Hygrometer \u0026amp; Thermometer\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperature and humidity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSingle unit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYou want both parameters from one mounting point in a small enclosure\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/zoo-med-creatures-digital-thermometer\"\u003eCreatures Digital Thermometer\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDigital, battery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYou want a numeric read rather than a dial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and maintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep the dial face clear of substrate dust and condensation; a fogged face is the usual reason a gauge stops getting read. Wipe with a dry cloth, not a solvent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hook-and-loop backing loses grip when it gets damp or dusty. In a high-humidity enclosure expect to replace the pad occasionally rather than the gauge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/zoo-med-analog-humidity-gauge\"\u003eZoo Med Analog Humidity Gauge\u003c\/a\u003e — the matching dial for the other parameter that matters, mounted alongside.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/zoo-med-repticare-ceramic-heat-emitter\"\u003eZoo Med ReptiCare Ceramic Heat Emitter\u003c\/a\u003e — the kind of heat source this gauge exists to keep an eye on.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/zoo-med-repti-rock-water-dish\"\u003eZoo Med Repti Rock Water Dish\u003c\/a\u003e — water placement shifts the local humidity and the cool-end temperature together.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-10-0-uvb-tube\"\u003eZoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO 10.0 UVB Tube\u003c\/a\u003e — lighting and heating get planned against the same gradient.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZoo Med publishes a 6 month warranty on this gauge. That warranty is in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law, which are not limited by it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStandard freight. Small, light, no dangerous goods or oversize handling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat temperature range does the Zoo Med analog reptile thermometer read?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Zoo Med TH-20 analog reptile thermometer reads from -6 °C to 49 °C, equivalent to 20 °F to 120 °F. That span covers a cool-end winter reading and a hot summer day at the warm end of a typical Australian reptile enclosure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I use it to set my basking spot temperature?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. This gauge reads air temperature at the point it is mounted, not the surface temperature of a basking site. Basking surface temperature has to be measured with an infrared temperature gun aimed at the surface, or a probe resting on it. Use the dial gauge for the ambient gradient instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes it replace a thermostat?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. A thermometer reports temperature; a thermostat controls it. Every heat mat, ceramic emitter and basking lamp in a reptile enclosure needs a thermostat of the correct type between the heat source and the power point. The gauge is how you verify the thermostat is doing its job.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow accurate is an analog dial gauge?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZoo Med does not publish an accuracy figure for the TH-20, so treat the reading as indicative rather than laboratory-grade. It is reliable for the job it is bought for — seeing at a glance whether the gradient has drifted — and for setting a thermostat you should confirm against a second instrument.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many should I fit to one enclosure?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo is the sensible minimum in any enclosure with a heat source: one at the cool end and one at the warm end, both at the height the animal actually sits. A single gauge tells you a number; a pair tells you the gradient, which is what determines whether the animal can thermoregulate.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ZooMed","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55293328195875,"sku":"ZM13","price":21.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/zoo-med-analog-reptile-therm-43180143214883.webp?v=1790235223","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/zoo-med-analog-reptile-thermometer","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}