An accurate, precise thermometer without spending a fortune??

[Salty_Northerner]

We do use these on every system but it is NOT what we rely on to control the temperature in the tanks. These are for a quick glance for our team to check to make sure everything is good. We control the temp with two different commercial probes. We also have a backup Neptune temp probe for alerts and a third source for temp.

also, @Salty_Northerner what is that Zoanthid called in your profile picture? I like it.

My apologies, I should have mentioned that you said they were just for a visual cue to see what the water temperature is doing.

And the zoa's in my profile picture are my what they call Constellations here in Canada. They're a beautiful zoa and add a lot of contrast to the system.

 

[Tidal Gardens Verified Sponsor]

Very nice

 

[Salty_Northerner]

Very nice

If they keep growing as well as they are I'll have to send you a frag you can grow out.

 

[Fish Fan]

Just an update, I received my Hanna Checktemp yesterday, I haven't had a chance to try it yet, but still hopeful

I wanted to mention that if anyone is on the fence about the Hanna CheckTemp, they are on sale today at BRS for 20% off.

Hanna CheckTemp

 

[jda]

If you are just wanting to spot check, then instruments for other things can work. I have a ThermoPen that I cook and BBQ with that I use to check my reef stuff every now and again - it is likely a lifetime tool and it is very accurate.

IMO there is nothing outside of a mechanical that I trust to be in the tank all of the time and be accurate.

 

[Fish Fan]

If you are just wanting to spot check, then instruments for other things can work. I have a ThermoPen that I cook and BBQ with that I use to check my reef stuff every now and again - it is likely a lifetime tool and it is very accurate.

IMO there is nothing outside of a mechanical that I trust to be in the tank all of the time and be accurate.

Thank you. I am an avid cook and BBQ/Smoker guy. I don't think any of the kitchen thermometers are really the best for aquaria. If for no other reason, they are typically used in the 120-600 F range for cooking. I want something that is accurate and precise at aquaria temperatures.

And, as mentioned, my kitchen thermometer is not repetably accurate or precise.

Thank you for stopping by.

 

[jda]

What are you talking about? Good cooking thermometers accurately at least measure to freezing. Not all of them are good. My thermopen is on the money art through its range.

 

[Fish Fan]

What are you talking about? Good cooking thermometers accurately at least measure to freezing. Not all of them are good. My thermopen is on the money art through its range.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be snarky earlier

I am a VERY avid home cook, and have cooked professionally. I get what you're saying about the cooking thermometers. But as I mentioned in my very first post, I have one that I have tried on my aquaria, and I find it less than precise and accurate enough for my needs.

I even ordered another kitchen thermometer, as mentioned previously in this thread, and it too didn't perform as well as I had hoped for my aquaria. I will keep it on my camper for checking steaks around the campsite.

The Hanna CheckTemp *checked* a lot of boxes for me. I haven't tried it yet, but I am hopeful this is the instrument I was hoping for.

 

[jda]

There are going to be hundreds of other instruments for other tasks that will make that Hanna look like a childs toy. It sounds like you don't want to use any of them, so the Hannah might be OK for what is left. When you get back around to this in a year or two, just remember that most use more precise things to measure and then remember the offset for their tanks. For example, I have Ranco and Medusa temperature controllers that I use my ThermoPen (which is .2 different from a $2000 Platinum Resistance unit) and then I recalibrate them, or just remember if they are off - Ranco and Medusa are also industrial grade, so they are usually quite accurate.

 

[Fish Fan]

There are going to be hundreds of other instruments for other tasks that will make that Hanna look like a childs toy. It sounds like you don't want to use any of them, so the Hannah might be OK for what is left. When you get back around to this in a year or two, just remember that most use more precise things to measure and then remember the offset for their tanks. For example, I have Ranco and Medusa temperature controllers that I use my ThermoPen (which is .2 different from a $2000 Platinum Resistance unit) and then I recalibrate them, or just remember if they are off - Ranco and Medusa are also industrial grade, so they are usually quite accurate.

Yes, thank you again for stopping by.

 

[Nate Chalk]

Did we define what a fortune is?.....

 

[Fish Fan]

Did we define what a fortune is?.....

Yes, greater than $100, as mentioned.

The Hanna CheckTemp hit the sweet spot for me for price and (hopefully) accuracy and precision. It's well reviewed and I suspect will be just fine for my needs for now. I was never asking for something lab grade, just something hobby level I could trust more than what I've been using.

Thank you for your reply.

 

[Croftsy]

Just an update, I received my Hanna Checktemp yesterday, I haven't had a chance to try it yet, but still hopeful

I wanted to mention that if anyone is on the fence about the Hanna CheckTemp, they are on sale today at BRS for 20% off.

Hanna CheckTemp

How is your Hanna checktemp? Any issue

 

[Fish Fan]

How is your Hanna checktemp? Any issue

No, I love it, exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Croftsy]

No, I love it, exactly what I was looking for.

Looking for a thermometer myself and came across this thread. The Hanna was suggested a lot.

 

[Fish Fan]

Looking for a thermometer myself and came across this thread. The Hanna was suggested a lot.

It was suggested to me in this thread, and I thought for the price it was exactly what I was looking for. I was not looking to buy a multi-thousand dollar lab-grade instrument, but I wanted something a little more accurate and repeatable than the kitchen thermometers I had been using. For the $50 or so I paid for the Hanna CheckTemp, I couldn't be happier with it.

 

[KC2020]

I bought the Hanna because it's consistent and pretty fast. When I'm changing water I want to match the temp within a degree. The tank and the new water I'm using is usually above room temp so it's nice not to have to wait while a thermometer settles.

 

[Croftsy]

It was suggested to me in this thread, and I thought for the price it was exactly what I was looking for. I was not looking to buy a multi-thousand dollar lab-grade instrument, but I wanted something a little more accurate and repeatable than the kitchen thermometers I had been using. For the $50 or so I paid for the Hanna CheckTemp, I couldn't be happier with it.

Same I don’t want an all song and dancing expensive one just something better than the cheap digital different reading one. Like that it can be used for mix salt and different tanks as it’s handheld

 

[Fish Fan]

Same I don’t want an all song and dancing expensive one just something better than the cheap digital different reading one. Like that it can be used for mix salt and different tanks as it’s handheld

Yeah, I can go around and check all my tanks quickly, salt and freshwater. I do wipe the probe with some alcohol in between tanks, just for added peace of mind.

 

[cnjcpb]

It was suggested to me in this thread, and I thought for the price it was exactly what I was looking for. I was not looking to buy a multi-thousand dollar lab-grade instrument, but I wanted something a little more accurate and repeatable than the kitchen thermometers I had been using. For the $50 or so I paid for the Hanna CheckTemp, I couldn't be happier with it.

I have found that using one of these in conjunction with a glass thermometer in the tank works great! This temp scanner works amazing. You can scan the glass with it anywhere on the tank. I also use it to scan the buckets of water when I’m heating them to do a water change. I bought this one for like $25 at CVS.