Not trusting temp reads...
- Thread starter FaFaFooey
- Start date
sly2kusa said:
If it's what I'm thinking of those are just weights and there should be a red fluid that actually tells you what the temp is.
blkwdw13 said:
Ah! Perfectly accurate description! So it's not Mercury? Coolness! It's going back in the tank (BTW - both of those themometers read the same and both are only about a degree off from what my Thermostat is set to which in all likelyhook makes some sense as I would think the water temp might be slightly cooler since I keep my place so cold!)
I have a stick on external one, and another one inside with the red fluid, at opposite end of the tank. Both read 80 degrees and that is without the heater plugged in, so I'm assuming the ambient temperature to be somewhere around 80. Tank lights are on 11hrs too (for plants) and not in direct sunlight anytime of the day.
During the heatwave we had over here, when it reached 35 degrees celcius, tank never rose beyond 84 (had to take measures to keep the temp down though).
During the heatwave we had over here, when it reached 35 degrees celcius, tank never rose beyond 84 (had to take measures to keep the temp down though).
Never really used the 'stick-on' kind. What type heater are you using? (size/make) Could be mis-calibrated. Good way to check is during W/C's. See if the thermometer temp. varies ( run the new water a little colder -It won't hurt) At the same time check to see if the heater comes on. I use an in-tank digital http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU.../pentairaquaticsbigdigitaltempalertfahrenheit along w/ a regular analog http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...axthermatempfloatingthermometerwithsuctioncup . Periodically I double check both w/ this http://www.polderproducts.net/ProductDetail.asp?PID=47 . Usually doesn't differ by more than a degree or so +/-. Good Luck
something that has not been mentioned..acrylic tanks are better at insulation than the glass tank. if you place a stickon thermometer on an acrylic tank you will not get the true reading for the tank.
I don't use a floating themometer..i use one that sticks to the inside of the tank via suction cups. if you don't trust it..get a couple of them and average the reading..a mean temp is better thank a single thermometer.
light will add more heat to the tank..remember that our body temp is around 98.6 so the water will feel cool to us unless you were outside on a cool day working..then the temp in your hand wil be less than 98.6 and the water will feel warm..(one reason we have to rely on thermometers)
I don't use a floating themometer..i use one that sticks to the inside of the tank via suction cups. if you don't trust it..get a couple of them and average the reading..a mean temp is better thank a single thermometer.
light will add more heat to the tank..remember that our body temp is around 98.6 so the water will feel cool to us unless you were outside on a cool day working..then the temp in your hand wil be less than 98.6 and the water will feel warm..(one reason we have to rely on thermometers)
I just havent realized how hot it has been up here in the office. There is a heat wave in Southern Cal right now and the water is pretty much what room temp is. I didn't realize room temp would affect the water temp as much as it has. Right now I just have 9 Tiger Barbs, is 86 degrees OK for them to survive or should I do something to cool the water? BTW my lighting is only a 36" 30watt florecent tube.
86 degrees is the upper most extreme imo. Does also kill free swimming bacteria (eg, ich) too.
What worked for me to cool my tank was to:
1. Close curtains/blinds/windows in daytime (if poss) - stops sun warming room up.
2. Open tank lids (turn lights off if not planted tank - lights=heat as already discussed)
3. Get a fan blowing across the water of the tank - draws heat away.
You might want to increase surface agitation with the filter output to increase the oxygen content of the water too.
Some people float ice bags, but in an office this may not be practical and can lead to rapid temp fluctuations imo.
What worked for me to cool my tank was to:
1. Close curtains/blinds/windows in daytime (if poss) - stops sun warming room up.
2. Open tank lids (turn lights off if not planted tank - lights=heat as already discussed)
3. Get a fan blowing across the water of the tank - draws heat away.
You might want to increase surface agitation with the filter output to increase the oxygen content of the water too.
Some people float ice bags, but in an office this may not be practical and can lead to rapid temp fluctuations imo.
