Thermometer, help me read it...

[treedog5]

So, what seems to be a common issue in the reefing forums is how to know or control the temp in our tanks. So I have the same problem and was hoping for a little feed back. I have 3 thermometers on my tank and of course they all have a different reading, i was told the glass thermometer was the most accurate but I swear its hard to read. Can someone tell me what temp is this thing showing.

 

[gabrieltackitt]

If I had to guess I would say 75 -75.5. Not quite 76 but definitely above 75.0

 

[X-37B]

So, what seems to be a common issue in the reefing forums is how to know or control the temp in our tanks. So I have the same problem and was hoping for a little feed back. I have 3 thermometers on my tank and of course they all have a different reading, i was told the glass thermometer was the most accurate but I swear its hard to read. Can someone tell me what temp is this thing showing.

75°F

 

[Chris_Heller]

So, what seems to be a common issue in the reefing forums is how to know or control the temp in our tanks. So I have the same problem and was hoping for a little feed back. I have 3 thermometers on my tank and of course they all have a different reading, i was told the glass thermometer was the most accurate but I swear its hard to read. Can someone tell me what temp is this thing showing.

75.2 degrees Fahrenheit

 

[Beau_B]

Line at bottom of green is 70, Long line under “80” is 80. Each short line is +2.

The angle of the photo makes it difficult, but it would appear 75-76.

 

[treedog5]

Ok, that's what I was thinking also. Since we agree on that, my inkbird is reading 77.9 and I have a digital thermometer that's reading 76.7. So which temp would yall say I should go with?

 

[DeniseAndy]

See if you can calibrate them.

 

[treedog5]

LOL, to what temp? I can calibrate the inkbird but not the other two.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I would probably trust the mercury a bit more. I am old fashion though.

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

Calibrate them to 32F with ice water. Then adjust the inkbird and digital, or figure out what the difference in temp is from 32° and apply that from now on

 

[treedog5]

Here's the crazy thing, when i got the inkbird I stuck it in ice water and it read 32.6 so I assumed it was pretty accurate. But the mercury is supposed to be more accurate but it's reading 2 degrees different.

 

[jda]

Trust the mercury. Not all ice water is 32 degrees, FWIW. You also want to calibrate something more near the range that you are using, so calibrating around 75-80 would be better - this is the same with all probes, not just temperature.

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

also, have you recalibrated recently?

 

[treedog5]

I just got the inkbird this week and that's when i checked it. I dont know how to re calibrate it, I just need to know what the true temp of my tank is.

 

[sixty_reefer]

24c witch is 75.2 faren

 

[treedog5]

LOL, can someone give me a step by step on how to calibrate the inkbird? I'm going to assume the mercury is right so based on that how do I change the temp reading for the inkbird?

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

Put probe in whatever water you choose, I use ice water because it's within a degree or 2 and is precise enough for health departments to use that method. Switch to the CA menu. From there you'll move the differential +/- to meet the correct temp. Say you're sure the ice water is 32.2°F, inkbird reads 34.7. Set the differential to -2.5. Hold set button and it will readout 32.2. Same method for tank water. You need to know with fair certainty what the actual temp is to calibrate it precisely

 

[mtfish]

First thing. The glass thermometer you have uses alcohol, not mercury. If you have a slush ice and water in a container, it will be very close to 32 degrees. I agree that a temperature closer to what your reef will be would be a better as a calibration point. You only really have two choices. 32 degrees or 212 degrees. So, use 32. I agree that the glass thermometer would be the best one to use as a "calibrated" meter. Once that is done, then calibrate any of the others you want. To be honest, as long as the readings are within certain limits and close, the actual temperature is not critical.

 

[treedog5]

Ok, I see what your saying @Chefwheredyougo. I'm currently increasing the tank temp to 78 based on the glass thermometer readings and then will calibrate the inkbird to read the same. Will also double check with slushy water mix.

 

[K7BMG]

I would check the Inkbird website for instructions if they did not get included with your unit. Or there is always YouTube.

But you need to place each thermomiter in the same location.
Same spot in the tank or sump.

The mercury unit you have reads temp at the top surface.
If your inkbird probe is on the bottom it will be different.
Most people dont know or understand that there are different temps within the tank.
This is the reason all devices need to be in the same location, when comparing. I would also let them stabilize in that location for a minimum of an hour. This will be your your best result.

Once everything has stabilized in the same spot then record the results on papre for refrence.

You might find doing the comparison this way will reveal closer readings.

If you want, to go a step further then get a container of water let if get to room temprature overnight. Put all units in there for a minimum of an hour and see if the split remains the same. It should but you wont know until you test.

So basically if you want to keep your water at 78 according to you mercury unit but dont want it floating in the tank 24/7 you know the offset of the Inkbird.

Meaning if the test revealed the mercury is reading 78 and the Incbird is reading at 77.
You will know your desired temp of 78 is there.

In the end you could take, 100 units of each type or brand and it will yeald 100 different results.