Thermometers

[Bloo]

I've been using electronic thermometers for several months that stick on the outside of the tank and have a probe on a wire that goes in the water.

However, I noticed recently that the temperature of Martha's tank seemed to be fluctuating wildy from 22 to 28 degrees so I got a second opinion from another electronic thermometer which gave a totaly different reading, as did a third and a fourth.

So now I've replaced all the seemingly unreliable electronic thermometers with traditional internal glass ones and now I'm confident that the temperature I'm seeing bears relevence to the temperature of the water.

The stick on flat thermometers are usless to me as I'm colourblind.

I'm totally with you on the unreliability and inconsistency of electronic ones. I just don't like the outside stick on ones either and only rely on my trusty glass inside ones as they have proven to me to be the most accurate and reliable. I've tried different brands etc. in the same tank at the same time just to check consistency and accuracy

 

[Discomafia]

I have 2 internal ones at either side of my tank, and another external one that came with the tank (2nd hand) that I use for a quick check. I usually calculate the temp as the average between the 2 internal ones, as they usually have a 1-2 degrees F variation between them.

For example, right now, the thermometer on the right reads 74F but the one on the left reads 72F. So it should be 73F, I'm guessing...

They never read the same. I know because I put them in my tote container that I use for water changes, and they always read the same, a degree or two difference between them. And the container is relatively small, (20 gallons) so it can't be a problem of not enough water circulation in the tank to properly disperse the heat.

 

[Grey Legion]

I have used all 3 types, Stick-on, internal thermometer and digital all work well for me.

but my preference would be the good ole' fashioned thermometer cheap and reliable..

 

[Fishist]

Thanks for all your input. Personally I've only ever used the "in the tank glass thermometer type" as I never thought of using anything else until now. After reading these comments I think I'll stick with it too.