Any digital thermometer's worth a crap ?

427HISS · Aug 4, 2016

In the last few months I've bought four thermometers and all have different readings, 3 to 5 degrees. I also tried a low cost digital last year and lasted a couple of weeks.

I'm sick,....of products not working as advertised, including thermometers !
I try to research everything, and even on websites that have good reviews, I'll buy and for me, I'd rank the product as a 1 or 2, out of 5.

Like with thermometers, 1 to 2 degrees off is,...ok, but 3 to 5,...no !!!

Why is it so difficult to find a decent frickin thermometer ???

Is there any brand that is actually accurate and well built, without costing an arm & leg ?

Antics · Aug 4, 2016

I think most big companies advertise accuracy within 2 degrees? I'd recommend buying two of the (more) reliable brands and trusting them to be accurate somewhere in the middle. Lab grade accuracy like you're talking about is expensive and requires frequent calibration and maintenance.

11cmortarman · Aug 4, 2016

I use a johnson temp controller. The temp is accurate and It controls my heater. I think i got it on amazon for 60 bucks

11cmortarman · Aug 4, 2016

I would recommend ranco/johnson temp controller, an aquarium controller. Also on the cheap side I have used the cheap little glass ones and they read the same temp as my temp controller. I cant remember who makes them but I think I got it at petsmart or petco.

jsker · Aug 4, 2016

Get a fennex heater and controller and you should be in good shape. Then if you decide to get a apex type controller you will be to go. Every heater I have had in my system always had a temperature variryence of 1 to 2 degrees. One or two degree is really not going to make a difference

MT. Reefer · Aug 4, 2016

They're not cheap, but a love my Cobalt Neo-Therm's. Never had a problem and have had them for just over 2 years. Best prices I found was Amazon.

427HISS · Aug 4, 2016

Larry Linne said:
They're not cheap, but a love my Cobalt Neo-Therm's. Never had a problem and have had them for just over 2 years. Best prices I found was Amazon.

I do too, but it's a heater not a thermometer.

Antics said:
I think most big companies advertise accuracy within 2 degrees? I'd recommend buying two of the (more) reliable brands and trusting them to be accurate somewhere in the middle. Lab grade accuracy like you're talking about is expensive and requires frequent calibration and maintenance.

Like I mentioned, 1 or 2 degrees is ok. I don't need lab grade.

What are the "reliable brands" ?

427HISS · Aug 4, 2016

jsker said:
Get a fennex heater and controller and you should be in good shape. Then if you decide to get a apex type controller you will be to go. Every heater I have had in my system always had a temperature variryence of 1 to 2 degrees. One or two degree is really not going to make a difference

What's the end cost for the Fennex and controller ?

I've been thinking of the Apex, even used, but man are they expensive !

427HISS · Aug 4, 2016

jsker said:
Get a fennex heater and controller and you should be in good shape. Then if you decide to get a apex type controller you will be to go. Every heater I have had in my system always had a temperature variryence of 1 to 2 degrees. One or two degree is really not going to make a difference

Like this ?

Setting up a 125g, so I would need two of the 200 series. Or, what about one and get a regular heater ?

Finnex HMA-S Heater Comparison Chart

Model Wattage Amp Control Range Tank Size Overall Length
HMA-S 50 50 .45 68 - 92 degrees 1 - 20 gal 5.75 inch
HMA-S 100 100 .9 68 - 92 degrees 21 - 30 gal 6.75 inch
HMA-S 150 150 1.35 68 - 92 degrees 31 - 60 gal 8.0 inch
HMA-S 200 200 1.8 68 - 92 degrees 61 - 80 gal 10.75 inch
HMA-S 300 300 2.7 68 - 92 degrees 81 - 100 gal 12.0 inch
HMA-S 500 500 4.5 68 - 92 degrees 101 - 120 gal 14.5 inch

MT. Reefer · Aug 4, 2016

OOPS!

jsker · Aug 4, 2016

427HISS said:
Like this ?

Setting up a 125g, so I would need two of the 200 series. Or, what about one and get a regular heater ?

Finnex HMA-S Heater Comparison Chart

Model Wattage Amp Control Range Tank Size Overall Length
HMA-S 50 50 .45 68 - 92 degrees 1 - 20 gal 5.75 inch
HMA-S 100 100 .9 68 - 92 degrees 21 - 30 gal 6.75 inch
HMA-S 150 150 1.35 68 - 92 degrees 31 - 60 gal 8.0 inch
HMA-S 200 200 1.8 68 - 92 degrees 61 - 80 gal 10.75 inch
HMA-S 300 300 2.7 68 - 92 degrees 81 - 100 gal 12.0 inch
HMA-S 500 500 4.5 68 - 92 degrees 101 - 120 gal 14.5 inch

They have an 800

jsker · Aug 4, 2016

427HISS said:
What's the end cost for the Fennex and controller ?

I've been thinking of the Apex, even used, but man are they expensive !

104+ tax
Yes they are, but they are worth it. The new ones they just came out with had a couple of hick ups so I would wait a couple of months before purchasing

427HISS · Aug 4, 2016

Larry Linne said:
OOPS!

lol,...no problem.

427HISS · Aug 5, 2016

jsker said:
They have an 800

For my 125g, I'd rather use two heaters, one in the sump, the other in the tank, than just one high watt.

jsker · Aug 5, 2016

427HISS said:
For my 125g, I'd rather use two heaters, one in the sump, the other in the tank, than just one high watt.

Good choice, also if one did fail you would have another to keep up until you got a replacement. I really like the Finnex heaters, and have not had an issue yet, but did emailed the customer service for something else and they were very good at getting back and following up two months later.