Author Topic: Aquarium Thermometer Accuracy (Read 11010 times) 12 replies

jaypeecee · « **on:** August 19, 2019, 09:26:39 AM »

Hi Folks,

During the heatwave last month, I added a post to a separate thread as follows:

https://forums.thinkfish.co.uk/general-fishkeeping-advice/keeping-an-aquarium-cool-in-the-hot-weather/msg45385/#msg45385

I thought it might be useful to mention it here since this is the forum section dealing with fish tanks and equipment.

If aquarium temperature accuracy is important for your chosen tank setup, don't always trust what your thermometer is reading!

JPC

fcmf · « **Reply #1 on:** September 13, 2019, 02:56:00 PM »

Hmmm. I've always assumed that my thermometer was awry and/or that my naturally warm home was causing the tank temperature to be higher than it ought to be - admittedly, it's only in the height of summer that I check it, though, when I'm worried the water may be too warm for the fish.

Now, however, I've checked it - not in the height of summer - and it's reading 29'C. I've set up the quarantine tank today and the thermometer is reading exactly what the QT aquarium heater is set at, so I'm confident that both of these are working properly. Now I'm beginning to wonder if the aquarium heater in the main tank is actually broken, though, causing its higher temperature..!

Sue · « **Reply #2 on:** September 13, 2019, 03:19:40 PM »

Do you have any other thermometers you could use to check?

If the main tank really is that warm, is it the thermostat on the main tank heater that is badly calibrated?

fcmf · « **Reply #3 on:** September 13, 2019, 04:53:28 PM »

Been undergoing some tests with it by lowering its temperature gradually. I think it is, Sue, and I'm going to get the situation rectified by means of the acquisition of a new heater before the evening is out...

Hampalong · « **Reply #4 on:** September 13, 2019, 06:34:05 PM »

You can buy a cheap mercury thermometer from a chemist to check your aquarium thermometers. When buying a cheap aquarium thermometer I always look at all of them and choose one that reads the ‘average’. About half of them usually agree.

fcmf · « **Reply #5 on:** September 14, 2019, 01:55:01 PM »

Actually, having been testing the heater out and cross-checking the various thermometers, neither seems to be the problem - it's the darned light which seems to increase the tank temperature considerably. No wonder why my floating plants always seem to get singed and burnt, and why I never have any luck keeping them..!

Hampalong · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2019, 12:05:53 AM »

Quote from: fcmf on September 14, 2019, 01:55:01 PM

Actually, having been testing the heater out and cross-checking the various thermometers, neither seems to be the problem - it's the darned light which seems to increase the tank temperature considerably. No wonder why my floating plants always seem to get singed and burnt, and why I never have any luck keeping them..!

Switch to led?

Sue · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2019, 10:22:41 AM »

I agree with Hampalong, if it would be possible. I have LEDs over both my tanks and they only get warm, not hot.

What is the light fitting like on your tank?

jaypeecee · « **Reply #8 on:** September 15, 2019, 11:22:30 AM »

Quote from: fcmf on September 14, 2019, 01:55:01 PM

Actually, having been testing the heater out and cross-checking the various thermometers, neither seems to be the problem - it's the darned light which seems to increase the tank temperature considerably. No wonder why my floating plants always seem to get singed and burnt, and why I never have any luck keeping them..!

Hi fcmf,

If your tank lighting is increasing the water temperature and damaging your floating plants, then I'm really intrigued to know what type of lighting you're using. Fluorescent? Halogen? Obviously not LEDs. Curiouser and curiouser!

JPC

fcmf · « **Reply #9 on:** September 15, 2019, 05:34:53 PM »

No - I don't currently have LEDs. Here's a photo I took of the inside of the tank lid a couple of years ago and I still have the same system. The ballast malfunctioned and I purchased an entirely new lid/canopy with the same lighting system. My plan was to keep this and the lighting system until that ballast ultimately malfunctioned too as, by that stage, the lid/canopy would no longer be sold now that the particular tank is no longer selling, and so I would then convert the lighting system over to LEDs. However, it seems that I may have to do that conversion process sooner rather than later - and it looks as though someone else has since tried that although we don't know the outcome https://forums.thinkfish.co.uk/fish-tanks-and-equipment/marina-54-lighting-failure/msg44342/#msg44342

Matt · « **Reply #10 on:** September 15, 2019, 08:33:16 PM »

I have that light and the adapters to retrofit to a light like yours were included... do you want me to get a few photos?

Sue · « **Reply #11 on:** September 15, 2019, 09:37:40 PM »

I have discovered that Aquael do retrofit LED tubes and they come in Sunny and Plant versions. I have the Plant clip on light on my betta's tank and it's doing wonders for my plants.

fcmf · « **Reply #12 on:** September 16, 2019, 03:19:48 PM »

Thanks, both.

Quote from: Matt on September 15, 2019, 08:33:16 PM

I have that light and the adapters to retrofit to a light like yours were included... do you want me to get a few photos?

Yes, please.

Quote from: Sue on September 15, 2019, 09:37:40 PM

I have discovered that Aquael do retrofit LED tubes and they come in Sunny and Plant versions. I have the Plant clip on light on my betta's tank and it's doing wonders for my plants.

Ah - good to know.

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Aquarium Thermometer Accuracy

Aquarium Thermometer Accuracy

Author Topic: Aquarium Thermometer Accuracy (Read 11010 times) 12 replies

jaypeecee

Aquarium Thermometer Accuracy

fcmf

Re: Aquarium Thermometer Accuracy

Sue

Re: Aquarium Thermometer Accuracy

fcmf

Re: Aquarium Thermometer Accuracy

Hampalong

Re: Aquarium Thermometer Accuracy

fcmf

Re: Aquarium Thermometer Accuracy

Hampalong

Re: Aquarium Thermometer Accuracy

Sue

Re: Aquarium Thermometer Accuracy

jaypeecee

Re: Aquarium Thermometer Accuracy

fcmf

Re: Aquarium Thermometer Accuracy

Matt

Re: Aquarium Thermometer Accuracy

Sue

Re: Aquarium Thermometer Accuracy

fcmf

Re: Aquarium Thermometer Accuracy

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