Silicone gel on temp probe for dummies.

[Bells>Waimea]

100% not a DIYer. I'm a "call a guy" kinda person. Think I can handle this one tho. Fingers crossed.

When putting silicone on a temp probe on my ink bird controller, I'm just to completely cover the metal probe and let dry, right? How long should I let it dry? My heater isn't all that great so I don't want it to be outta commission for too long, but also don't want to get wet silicone gel in the tank.

Any advice for this dummy would be great. Thanks guys.

 

[Retro Reefer]

I like to seal my temperature probs in a small test tube or similar, an old API tester tube works great for this.. I will use BB’s or shot to help conduct temp to probe and seal test tube with Aquarium safe silicon.

This is something I have been doing since before you could buy digital thermometers for Aquariums, I used to buy cheap indoor/outdoor thermometers with probes and seal them this way, never had one fail.

 

[lilgrounchuck]

I like to seal my temperature probs in a small test tube or similar, an old API tester tube works great for this.. I will use BB’s or shot to help conduct temp to probe and seal test tube with Aquarium safe silicon.

This is something I have been doing since before you could buy digital thermometers for Aquariums, I used to buy cheap indoor/outdoor thermometers with probes and seal them this way, never had one fail.

Is the shot really needed for conduction or just to weigh the probe down? Wouldn’t the air gap reach the same temp as the surrounding environment rather quickly without it, or have you noticed a difference between going without a filler and with a filler?

 

[Retro Reefer]

The air gape would eventually reach temperature and conduct that to your probe but the shot makes it happen quicker and more seamlessly.

 

[Bells>Waimea]

Could i just cover the metal tipped probe with silicon and call it a day?

 

[Bigtrout]

Could i just cover the metal tipped probe with silicon and call it a day?

Yes you could...if conpletely sealed by a thin layer of silicone it will be fine. Just make sure its completely cured before using...if you can still smell the silicone odor its not cured!

 

[alain Bouchard]

whats the advantage? have an inkbird, 3 years old, the probe been sitting in the overflow for 3 years. clean it every 3 month with rodi water. I keep a seneye in water too, for comparison, in case of shift, but alwasy been right on. Metal tip is still pristine. So I really dont see the advantage?

 

[Eagle_Steve]

whats the advantage? have an inkbird, 3 years old, the probe been sitting in the overflow for 3 years. clean it every 3 month with rodi water. I keep a seneye in water too, for comparison, in case of shift, but alwasy been right on. Metal tip is still pristine. So I really dont see the advantage?

Do you have the inkbird with titanium probe? Those are fine as is. The stainless ones will corrode.

 

[alain Bouchard]

nope, got stainless steel one. Guess I am lucky, as I dont have the beginning of a suspicion of a trace of rust on it. Anyway, I dont intend to keep it 10 years, will probably replace the unit in about 2 years.