What do you use for a thermometer?

[Dave VG]

Do you use glass, electronic or stick on thermometers? Just how accurate is each one? People with automated systems RKE etc. do you use anything else besides the controller as a double check? Bought a new heater hydor theo and set it for 79 but it seams to run erratic temp wise and mostly above the set temp. I have a digital in tank thermometer and wondering if the heater or thermometer is right being that they don't match. They appear to be about a 3 to 5 degree difference. I'm running the heater low at this point till I get some input from you guys and gals to be sure I don't cook everything. Figure lower setting is better till I get this figured out. I set the heater at 77.

 

[GMaquarium]

The stick on kind is not the best. Old fashion mercury glass type are normally right on, but a little harder to read. I found that most aquarium brand electronic work great. Years ago I was foolish enough to buy a lab grade one that has some cool features I never use, that was a waste of money.

 

[Dave VG]

Thanks for the info GMaquariun I will avoid that one. I was looking at the external ones with the probe or just breaking down and buying a controller at this point. Really don’t want to spend a lot right now so the external probe one is looking good.

 

[spinoleo]

I use an ac jr but have a glass thermometer in the sump to compare results I dont totally trust electronic themostats

 

[talon4x4]

Right now I rely solely on the ACJr, ever since I dropped my glass thermometer.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I've never trusted thermometers built into heaters.

I always wanted one of those Ranco controllers but my ACjr's temp. probe has filled that niche.

 

[aquadonkey]

I use a coralife digital and a RKL - they can sometimes be as much as a whole degree different from each other, but hey.... if it's in the ball-park I'm happy

 

[Namyar]

I use both old fashion mercury and a prob.

 

[rc4kinu]

I use regular thermometer. Most accurate. I recently got the one that uses a magnet to hold it in place instead of suction cups. It's a little bigger and easier to read.

 

[EllieSuz]

A Reefkeeper Lite gives you more advantages than just a temperature reading. It will also turn off a heater stuck in the "on" position. The number of tank crashes reported on RC from a heater going rogue is astounding. So, for $99.00 you can control temperature and have some outlets left over for timing lights or whatever. It's the cheapest peace-of-mind you can imagine.

 

[NirvanaFan]

I don't really pay much attention to temperature. I do have a coralife digital thermometer that is probably way off, and a glass one that is probably close. I don't shoot for a specific temperature though.

On a related note, I welcome a 3 or 4 degree daily temperature swing. I don't think it harms my tank inhabitants at all. As long as the temperature is between 77 and 84, I'm fine with that.

 

[Dave VG]

EllieSuz I have been looking at those. Just how much can you control with the $99 standard one? Ya I'm with ya on that NirvanaFan just wold like to set and forget tho

 

[wetbehindears]

In every tank I have I use electronic and glass ones.

 

[dreaminmel]

I've always just used the Coralife digital thermometers. Temp can vary between two different exact models but my aim is only to keep it steady within a certain range. These work just fine for me for that purpose and they're inexpensive.

 

[Newreeflady]

Ranco temperature controller, it has a readout.

For my non-controlled tank I use a little digital coralife. It is pretty accurate, I've checked it against the Ranco.

I have found that only the titanium heaters seem to be good at keeping the temp stable. I haven't had success with cheap heaters and would only suggest them with a controller.

-A

 

[TripleT]

Bought about 5 glass thermometers, $2 each. One is two degrees off so it's sitting on a shelf unused.

I use the other 4 to keep my tanks and newly mixed water in sync with each other.

Planning to buy a controller soon so I don't have to rely on my heater's thermostat.

 

[Dave VG]

Thanks everyone for your input I really appreciate it. Thinking auto controller now. Anyone have the ReefKeeper Lite L1 Basic? If so how do you like it? How much does it control? Sorry if this has been asked already.

 

[Gravesj1s]

I think the rkl and rke both can have or experience eratic temp readings related to grounding issues.I also, dont think the wire type probe is nearly as accurate as DA claims.
Unfortunately your not going to be able to find much if any complaints in DA forum because they edit the threads.

 

[Dave VG]

I think the rkl and rke both can have or experience eratic temp readings related to grounding issues.I also, dont think the wire type probe is nearly as accurate as DA claims.
Unfortunately your not going to be able to find much if any complaints in DA forum because they edit the threads.

Is this first hand experience? If so what problems have you had? Is there anyone else here having the same issues?

 

[Gravesj1s]

-Dave ,Alittle tied up at the moment but short answer yes first hand experience and I have seen threads edited by Da so I dont bother to post experience over there.

See this thread : "DA temp probe" here in this forum,going to bump it up for you because I dont know how to link it here.-steve