Thermometers

Hi all.
I have 4 thermometers in my tnak and they all read different temps. 1 Digital (with probe-marltons) and 3 of the suction cup ones.
Which must I trust? What is the best make of thermometer?
Thanks.

 

This maybe an idiotic idea but why don't you test them on yourself? A human's body temperature is 37deg so if they read that or within a few points then you know it's accurate.

---------- Post added at 17:10 ---------- Previous post was at 17:10 ----------

@Firefly, just tested my own thermometer and it won't go higher than 36deg. So my conclusion is that the cheap suction cup thermometers are accurate to within 1deg.

 

Thanks Kel-Sol. I will try it any way. Very clever solution!

 

I found that my digital one is 1deg higher than my normal suction cup one I usually trust the later more because I know how "infallible" electronics can be.

 

I suppose investing some R25 in a decent suction one is best.

 

Most home medical aid kits come with a digital thermometer. These are often highly accurate. Test it first on yourself, and then test in in the tank water. (Make sure you sterilize it afterwards- and do it without the beady eye of your better half, or worse, parentals) Then find the thermometer that is closest to the digital reading, and chuck the rest out.

 

I have given up on the glass thermometers - I have a few of those probe digital jobs but they take to long to give a good indication if moved from tank to tank. So I am now on those stick-on indicators ... I have learned to be less paranoid of what the actual temperature is and rather observe fish movement and eating habits. I do do a double check with a Oregon (THC238) - just to get an idea on how out the strips are since they actually give you glass and not water temperature.

What temperature range are you wanting to check ? A medical thermomiter range is typically 30/32 - 42/45 not sure how accurate it would be if you wanted to check a tank that you want to keep at say 25 degrees.

Later Ferdie