OK Now What (Temp)?

[darren24]

Ok so I have been in the hobby quite a while and have always had "Successful" tanks. I run a very simple system (except for my light ATI Powermodule LED / T5 Combo). 120G dual overflows, Quiet one return, 2 Vortechs and 1 Korolia. I have always used 2 "cheap" Coralife $5 thermometers. I just placed a dry goods order and picked up a "Lifeguard Aquatics" LED Digital in tank thermometer $20. So hear is how my temp reads.

Coralife #1 = 77.2
Coralife #2 = 77.5
LifeGuard Aquatics LED = 75.2

Who do I believe?

Thanks in advance.

(P.S. I am allergic to controllers )

 

[marquiseo]

I've used the coralife and they were in line with my old RKE. Either way, all three are in the suggested temp range. Since you don't want a controller, get the Cobalt Neotherm heater. It has a built in thermometer with led indication.

 

[skriz]

all of those cheap digital ones are garbage. You're better off with an old school thermometer..much better off.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

I agree with Skriz. I do have temp on my RKE but I use a regular old bulb thermometer to check and calibrate it from time to time.

 

[genesis]

I use the thermometer that comes with my RKE for my aquarium and one of those Coralife ones for my saltwater mixing container and they are usually about .5-1 degree difference.

 

[chris s]

The corallife is supposed to be accurate to +-1.5F. The lifeguard is +-.5F. Using those numbers they are all pretty close within their range. My guess is your temp is somewhere around 76-76.5. Which is fine. Besides a stable temp is what matters.

 

[darren24]

Thanks folks. It might be time for me to upgrade to a controller.... At the very least I will get an old school thermometer.

 

[acroholic]

Coralife units are junk, unfortunately. I bought and used them for years before realizing it. I'd take a $2 suction up on the inside type over one of them any day.

I bought a nice quality thermometer from a brewing supply company, and use that to check my temp vs my controller. I had some drift in my RKE a while back, and never realized these controller temp probes might need calibration once in a while. Brewing thermometer below. It is just a larger version of the small glass stick inside types we use in the hobby. Cheap at about $8.

http://www.beernecessities.com/beer-catalog.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=605&category_id=63">http://www.beernecessities.com/beer-catalog.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=605&category_id=63</a>

I also double check against an infrared thermometer I have had for years, which is a good choice as well. Here is an inexpensive one from Harbor Freight, should be available for purchase locally at a HF store:

[IMG]http://www.harborfreight.com/infrared-thermometer-93984.html">http://www.harborfreight.com/infrared-thermometer-93984.html</a>

 

[jbadd99]

I use a Ranco controller with a titanium heater. Best $80 I think I've spent. Set and forget.

 

[mikesmith34]

I have a gigital also. But for some reason when I really want to know the temp I pill the old glass analog out. So far the digital has been spot on but very cheaply made.

 

[grouper therapy]

jbadd99;1001905 wrote: I use a Ranco controller with a titanium heater. Best $80 I think I've spent. Set and forget.

Totally agree. I never had a moments issue with that setup

 

[ralph atl]

jbadd99;1001905 wrote: I use a Ranco controller with a titanium heater. Best $80 I think I've spent. Set and forget.

I have a dual Ranco controller with an eheim heater and two 110 CFM fans over sump that keep the temp from a low of 74-75 to a high of 79 with two 400 watt radiums and a reebrite xho strip....

no chiller...

 

[atlfishes]

I just got this to calibrate my apex thermometer.

ASTM #17F Saybolt Viscosity Thermometer, 66 to 80F