Themometer

[Beggs]

Hi,

I have a heater for my tank but i think i need a themometer just to check the temperature every so often.....i was wondering if i could use a normal themometer or are there special aquarium ones??

Thanks,
Beggs

 

[littlefishie]

Special aquarium ones are the best, and they're relatively cheap. I got mine for $2.40CAD, which is a floating thermometer with a suction cup. These ones also tend to have temperature zones coloured on the back of the thermometer to show safe temperature levels, and when the temperature is either too high or too low.
For less than $3, it's worth it. Check your LFS, you'll see all the different varieties.

 

[yvez9]

I like the digital thermometers that stick on the outside of the glass. They are like 2.50 also.

Just personnal preference, but i would get one for aquarium use only and always keep it in there

 

[SirMinion]

A normal one would work fine as long as it shows the correct temperature range. Be aware that is must be protected from clumsy or boistrous fish, because some thermometers contain mercury and you really don't want that in your tank if the thermometer breaks.

A dedicated one would be better of course.
We have electronic thermometers in all our tanks which cost around £10 each.

 

[Beggs]

yeh i think ill prolly get a aquarium thermometer...better to be safe i guess.
Thanks for the replies guys...really helpful

Thanks,
Beggs

 

[itZme]

I had a digital meat thermometer (Martha Stewart brand) in the drawer and one day while doing a partial water change I thought "I wonder if this will work at lower temps?"
Well, it works great and it reads in tenths of a degree and is F and C switchable. I use it to test the other thermometers too and they all were very acurate. (the stick-on kind and 2 glas floater type)
I am glad I had that when I set up this 20 gal hex because the guy I bought it from gave me a Hagen 100W submersible heater and it is supposedly factory calibrated. I set it to 78 degrees and the tank stabilized at 87.2! I had to finally set it at about 68F to get 77.5F. Good thing I checked and didn't add fish. I woulda boiled 'em!
itZme