How HOT is too HOT?

[Sean Clark]

I would trust the kitchen ones.

Simple calibration test. Fill a glass with ice water. Temp should read 32 or 33. Then boil some water temp should read 212 degrees at sea level.

I am going to do this now. I can't adjust the kitchen ones but I can test witch one is closer and go from there.

 

[Jedi1199]

I am going to do this now. I can't adjust the kitchen ones but I can test witch one is closer and go from there.

The kitchen ones SHOULD be adjustable. Almost all of them are.

As a side point, WHERE is your Apex probe located? Is it near a return nozzle? Is it in a high flow area caused from a return? Where are your heaters? Are they in the sump or in the DT? Is your probe near a current from the heaters?

 

[Sean Clark]

As a side point, WHERE is your Apex probe located? Is it near a return nozzle? Is it in a high flow area caused from a return? Where are your heaters? Are they in the sump or in the DT? Is your probe near a current from the heaters?

All of the probes are behind the skimmer. Relatively high flow.

The heater is a remote heat exchanger system in the basement. I also have the "emergency" heaters in the left side of the sump. They are unplugged at the moment.

 

[Sean Clark]

So let's say hypothetically that my Apex probe is off. The graph still shows a 4 degree increase in a relative short time.

 

[Jedi1199]

So let's say hypothetically that my Apex probe is off. The graph still shows a 4 degree increase in a relative short time.

Perhaps your probe is off? I have no experience with Apex so I can't advise you how to solve that issue. Sorry.

 

[Sean Clark]

Turns out they are both junk I guess....

 

[ninjamyst]

You have a canopy though right? You sure it's not due to lack of air exchange with the tank? Are your fans outside or in your sump?

 

[Sean Clark]

You have a canopy though right? You sure it's not due to lack of air exchange with the tank? Are your fans outside or in your sump?

Yes I do have a canopy. The fan is currently blowing down the left side of the cabinetry and I have the right side wide open. I also have the lower stand doors open and can feel air moving out of the stand and canopy. Right now I am trying to find a thermometer that I can trust.

 

[Jedi1199]

What is your altitude? Freezing point of water is constant 32*F, boiling point drops 1* per 500ft approximately.

Edit: I am at about 300 ft above sea level where I live so 212 is about right.

 

[Jedi1199]

Also, be sure that the tip of the thermometers are not too close to the bottom of the pan, you might be picking up radiant heat from the burner, or the pan itself.

 

[Sean Clark]

What is your altitude? Freezing point of water is constant 32*F, boiling point drops 1* per 500ft approximately

Thanks, I am glad you are here.
Google says 244 meters above sea level which would be 800 ft. So 1.6 deg. 210.4 deg boiling temp.

 

[trainbob]

Take your kitchen thermometer to a store that sells them and check them against the ones in the store

 

[Sean Clark]

Also, be sure that the tip of the thermometers are not too close to the bottom of the pan, you might be picking up radiant heat from the burner, or the pan itself.

That would be bad in the wrong direction. I made sure they were suspended. I also checked multiple points.

 

[damsels are not mean]

I have not seen any ill effects hovering in the low 80s. Above 82 and I might crank the lid open to evaporate more. But I generally do not worry about temp and let it fluctuate between about 73.5 at a minimum and 81-82 on hot days (which actually is the reverse of the seasons because hot for the tank is when there is a fire in the fireplace and cold is when the AC is blowing on it). I think it's fine up to 84 but maybe sustained temps above 82 are problematic after a point.

 

[Sean Clark]

What is your altitude? Freezing point of water is constant 32*F, boiling point drops 1* per 500ft approximately.

Edit: I am at about 300 ft above sea level where I live so 212 is about right.

This puts the gray one pretty close.

 

[Jedi1199]

Thanks, I am glad you are here.
Google says 244 meters above sea level which would be 800 ft. So 1.6 deg. 210.4 deg boiling temp.

I would say that your kitchen thermometers are close enough to trust. A degree here or there on the boiling point is minimal. I suspect that the reading from your tank is closer to 1/4 degree which is much more important to your issue. Since both of your thermometers are reading within half a degree of each other, I would lay the issue at the Apex feet.

 

[Sean Clark]

I would say that your kitchen thermometers are close enough to trust. A degree here or there on the boiling point is minimal. I suspect that the reading from your tank is closer to 1/4 degree which is much more important to your issue. Since both of your thermometers are reading within half a degree of each other, I would lay the issue at the Apex feet.

Basicly, I have a probe issue and not a temperature issue and I should stop freaking out.

 

[Sean Clark]

I long for the day when you can just put a sticker on your tank and know the temperature.

 

[Jedi1199]

I long for the day when you can just put a sticker on your tank and know the temperature.

True enough. Until that day, I would use your apex as a guideline, not gospel and use your grey kitchen thermometer as a true indicator.

 

[Jedi1199]

Funny how a $700 Apex is less accurate than a $15 hardware store digital kitchen thermometer... On the plus side, the kitchen one doubles for its intended purpose as well!! You can check the temp of your food to ensure proper cooking!! Double win in my book!!