Heaters and Thermometers

[Betty Betta]

I just received my Ebo Jager 50 Watt heater and I need to calibrate it, but in trying to do so I am finding my two thermometers are not in agreement.

One is a glass thermometer that is suctioned to the wall and reads 78. The other is a glass thermometer and reads 75. I have my heater set to 76 to prevent conditions that are too cold or too hot until I get this sorted out.

Should I buy another one, and what type--and brand-- would you recommend? Is there another way to calibrate the heater?

 

[LongTime]

I wouldn't worry about it a whole lot. I would set the heater to 77 which should give you a nice workable range. Thermometers are not that well calibrated themselves. Plus, you will have different temperatures throughout your tank just like most people have in their homes. Even with the flow of water, some spots will just be warmer or cooler than others.

 

[aquariumfishguy]

You could buy another thermometer... because they are so cheap, it wont break the bank but it could also explain why some are so inaccurate. Try getting an "expensive" thermometer if they even have some in your area. 3-4 dollars should get you a really nice thermometer, and take that reading to see what you get.

 

[RioXingu]

I really like digital thermometers.
It is not necessary to buy one specifically for aquariums; the Radio Shack indoor/outdoor digital thermometer's probe can be used in water. This thermometer goes for about $12.
I compared the reading of the Radio Shack digital to my hydrometer, and they were only 0.3 degrees F different.
It is so much easier to use a digital thermometer when setting a heater to the desired temperature in an aquarium.
You have a quality heater. Once it is set, usually only a quick daily check of the aquarium's temperature is required.

Bill in WI

 

[Betty Betta]

Bill in WI,

Is this the one you are talking about?
Radio Shack Digital Indoor Outdoor Thermometer

And you are sure the temp probe is ok in water? And that it's reliable?



AquariumFishGuy,

But isn't a $3-4 thermometer still a cheap and innacurate one? Would these be the strip LED ones that stick on the outside of the tank or are they still glass? Which ones are youtalking about exactly?

I am cheap, but I might have to spring at least the $15 for the radio Shack one if I can be sure it's reliable. I don't want to boil the fishies.

Just an aside, but man, this hobby is nickel and diming me to death!

 

[aquariumfishguy]

No, I always use the ones that are like $2 and they are inside the aquarium on a suction cup. These have never failed me, as far as inaccuracy goes.

I could never afford a 15 dollar thermometer for each of my aquariums so I use the $2 dollar ones.

 

[Betty Betta]

No, I always use the ones that are like $2 and they are inside the aquarium on a suction cup.

AquariumFishGuy,

ahhhh, but the one that is presently telling me that it's 79 degrees in the tank --and my Ebo Jager is still set to 76--is a suction cup type. Granted, it's been a hot day and the PC light could be jacking the temperature, not the heater, which isn't even on right now! Oh my, so could the $2.00 sinking one that says it's at 76 degrees be wrong?.

 

[RioXingu]

The Radio Shack thermometer shown in that link is similar. I have Radio Shack Catalog 63-1009A. Perhaps that model is no longer available. I can only read either indoor or outdoor(my aquarium via the probe), and this is done using a switch. It is powered by a single AA battery.
The model I saw on that site looked a bit fancier, but the probe looked the same.
I have used mine for several years, and it still works like day one.
When you refer to glass thermometers, I assume you mean the ones with a thin tube filled with red colored alcohol against a numbered background.
These can vary quite a bit, but measure the changes in temperature very well. If you can determine the "correction factor", they are very serviceable thermometers.
The liquid crystal thermometers that stick on the outside glass are ok, but they are influenced by room heat or cold sources, especially sunlight, which will destroy them in the long run.
In the summertime, the heaters rarely are needed in my tanks--keeping them cool is the problem.
After keeping fish for many, many years, I can just about stick my finger in the aquarium and tell if the temperature is OK.

Bill in WI

 

[JSchmidt]

I use the cheapo Radio Shack digital indoor/outdoor thermometers on many of my tanks, and I really like them. They are reasonably accurate and much easier to read than glass tube thermometers. I check the digital thermometers against the glass type on occasion, to see if there is temp drift, and so far they have worked fine.

Jim

 

[daveedka]

These can vary quite a bit, but measure the changes in temperature very well. If you can determine the "correction factor", they are very serviceable thermometers.

Bingo!!!
Get one good accurate thermometer the one you use to check you kids for a fever is usually pretty good ( if you get one with enough range), or go to an auto parts store and ask for an AC repair thermometer. verify tank temp, (I usually run the thermometer all around the tank for a few minutes and then read it) and then compare actual temp with the cheapo thermometer you have, and see what the differnce is. re-calibrate you mind to what the cheapo needs to say and maintain the desired tank temp, and you are all set. Dip your kids thermometer in alchohol, before inserting it back in their mouth.
BTW if you want to check a thermometer for accuracy, a glass of ice water is 32*F at sea level and will be less than a degree off unless you are at a pretty good altitude, so swish your thermometer in ice water and see if it reads 32 +- 1*.
If you know a good mechanic ask to borrow their infared temp gun and check it. Makes life real easy.