temp question

[sanababit]

i have a new tank going on 17 days now, i was worried about temp and went to the pet store and got a temp strip for about 3 dollars, i installed it and right away i got a 76 exact reading wich is the temp im going for, (76-78), anyways, next day i saw the strip and went down to 74 exact mesurement, (the thermometer said number thats green is the exact temp), i took a look at my heater and is set to 77 degrees, the heater is a Marineland Stealth 200 Visi-Therm Submersible Aquarium Heater 200 Watts , before i forget the strip is located on the opposite site where the heater is located, just wanted to see if i get an all around reading, questions are, is a strip thermometer good?, do i need another heater????, thanks

sana

ps i run lights for about 10 hours, they are a dual satellite system made by current i think they are 2x96w, that was my concern that the lights where getting the temp up but it doesnt seem to raise it up, the lights are about 3 inches off the tank and the tank has no cover.

 

[NightShade00013]

The little strips can be affected by ambient room temp as well. Get a temp probe to take the temp from the water directly.

BTW if you hold your hand over the themp probe for a bit you will see the temp change. Not becasue the water temp has changed but because the wall of the tank has changed. So if there is a difference in air movement it can give false readings. I picked up a cheapo temp probe from Petsmart for 20.00 and they had some for less than that available. Local shops very possibly will have something close to that or can find some online.