Temperature problems
- Thread starter Treenk
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Copingwithpods
Valuable Member
Those little digital thermometers are as good as just guessing your temperature. They never come accurate, they drif over time, can be off more than 5 degrees. I have 8 (discount in bulk) and when tested against my tank (78.5) I got readings as low as 65 and as high as 87.dont trust them.
As they age they drift badly. This one is 4 months old and the best of the 8 I got. It was originally off by just 0.8.
I got my tanks true temp by using multiple thermometers (cooking thermometers and personal temperature thermometers) dismissing the highest and lowest and averaging out the rest. I then zeroed my controller to this temperature. It's close enough to perfect as I'll ever need it to be. There are more expensive ways of going about this but even good quality thermometers have a range of accuracy. The little digital one in the picture (needs an upgrade badly) is just as a back up to know I'm in range.
As for the tank feeling warm or cold? Happens to me too. I've noticed if my hands are cold and I stick them in the tank it feels like a nice warm bath lol. If however I just came inside and it's hot and sunny water feels cold.
As they age they drift badly. This one is 4 months old and the best of the 8 I got. It was originally off by just 0.8.
I got my tanks true temp by using multiple thermometers (cooking thermometers and personal temperature thermometers) dismissing the highest and lowest and averaging out the rest. I then zeroed my controller to this temperature. It's close enough to perfect as I'll ever need it to be. There are more expensive ways of going about this but even good quality thermometers have a range of accuracy. The little digital one in the picture (needs an upgrade badly) is just as a back up to know I'm in range.
As for the tank feeling warm or cold? Happens to me too. I've noticed if my hands are cold and I stick them in the tank it feels like a nice warm bath lol. If however I just came inside and it's hot and sunny water feels cold.
Dom
Full Time Reef Keeper
I used to use those...
I once pulled apart a temperature controller I built because I couldn't get my temp above 70 degrees. Then I realized it was displaying a temp that was off by over 10 degrees! My tank temp was actually 81 degrees!
I wouldn't use them. Just rely on your temperature controller and a good ole-fashioned mercury thermometer.
I once pulled apart a temperature controller I built because I couldn't get my temp above 70 degrees. Then I realized it was displaying a temp that was off by over 10 degrees! My tank temp was actually 81 degrees!
I wouldn't use them. Just rely on your temperature controller and a good ole-fashioned mercury thermometer.
Slawman
Active Member
Some are OK, the problem is getting a reference to check everything. I personally use a thermapen, which is a very accurate cooking thermometer. You can get cheaper ones and I would suggest to anyone that it is a good investment not only in their tank but also to always get succulent, medium rare steaks 
....
My Apex controller has held calibration for the last two years so that is pretty good for any electronic thermometer.
....My Apex controller has held calibration for the last two years so that is pretty good for any electronic thermometer.
JoshO
Valuable Member
I've got 3 of these, all read absolutely identical!Thanks guys I ordered this one they made me buy 2 or more they were so cheap lol
AndyinAtlanta
Community Member
I don't mind the small digital thermometers as I'm more concerned about spikes than getting a super accurate reading 24/7. The glass ones are more stable but can also be difficult to read, and I've found just as many are as inaccurate as the digital ones. I use a pair of cooking thermometers for when I want accuracy.
