Temperature Calibration Help

[T-J]

How does everyone truly verify what their tank temperature is?? I've had 5 different readings, all at the same time, from 5 different temperature probes, and I don't know which one to trust!

Old style glass aquarium thermo: 78.? (hard to tell on this style)
InkBird heater controller: 78.6
Electronic thermo: 78.7
Meat Thermometer: 79.3
Seneye: 79.3

Now, I did get two to agree, and all the temps are within a degree. But, how do we know what the real temp is? Should I just take the average and adjust them to all read that? What does everyone else do?

 

[madweazl]

There is a margin for error with everything. Looks like all of yours are within 1° and with no need for your temperature to be any more precise, don't worry about it. We often confuse our own desires with the inhabitants actual requirements (the ocean temperatures do fluctuate).

 

[NS Mike D]

Fill a cup with ice. Top it with cold water. Wait five minutes then insert probes. Should read 32°. Repeat with boiling water (near sea level) should read 212°

 

[T-J]

Fill a cup with ice. Top it with cold water. Wait five minutes then insert probes. Should read 32°. Repeat with boiling water (near sea level) should read 212°

@NS Mike D Do you know if calibrating at that temp (freezing) will make it accurate at the higher temps? With boiling water, I assume I can make the water much hotter, making it harder to calibrate.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I banged my head against the wall years ago when I first set up my tank....your same question. There is no "standard" you can buy to verify your temperature. What I eventually came to accept for the benefit of my miniscule brain is that stability is what is important. Pick a temperatute and stick with it. As already stated, all your temps are close...pick one, and be happy.