Could my thermometer be wrong?

[juliethegr8t]

I've recently noticed something a bit odd with the thermometer on my 5 gallon tank. It's the same type of thermometer I have on my other tank - a liquid crystal one. However, I've noticed that it almost always says it's warmer in my 5 gallon then in the 10 gallon, even though they're like 2 feet from each other. The 5 gallon is acrylic, that probably matters, but I don't think this much. It's been really warm here lately, my 10 gallon has been around 79-81 instead of the setting I have on my heater of 77 or so. Both tanks have the same brand of heater with an adjustable setting so I can pick what I want. There's a 50 watt in the 10 and a 25 watt in the 5. I still think somethin's wrong with the thermometer (not the heater!) though, because the other day it said it was like 80 in the 5 and the other tank said it was 78 or so. I noticed the heater in the 5 was on, which I found really strange, so I stuck a finger in both tanks. The water in the 5 gallon was actually significantly cooler. Sounds to me like a crazy thermometer! However, I don't know why this would be the case - am I just paranoid? Both thermometers are the same brand and type. Should I go ahead and get another one? I know it's not that much money to complain about, but I don't want to waste my money if I don't have to. Whew, sorry for all that info, it was sort of hard to explain!

Also - either tomorrow or Saturday I'm going to a lfs to get another cherry barb. I think I may pick up another panda cory too if they have them. And who knows what else.. lol, I always end up with more than I planned on!

 

[Alien Anna]

Crystal display thermometers do go wrong after a while and read higher than they should - I have the same problem on one of my tanks. Get yourself a glass thermometer as a back-up - they tend to be more accurate and are essential to double-check the stick-on ones.

 

[juliethegr8t]

Is it just me or is there way less replys to this than I thought? Maybe I'm crazy, but when I checked this morning I thought there were like 6... I didn't have a chance to read them though. Am I nuts? lol, anyways - thanks Alien Anna, I'll take your advice and pick one up next time I have a chance.

 

[Moe]

I just had problems with the temp of a 10G it came with incandescent light. I had 2 25W bulbs in it. The light was giving off a ton of heat. I had the temp set to 78 I checked the temp in the tank and it was 83. Fish seemed really sluggish. I switched to 2 15W bulbs but it did not solve the problem. I went back to the store and they gave me a florescent light for n/c. It runs a lot cooler, temp is what I set it at and the fish look a lot better. I don't know if this helps.

 

[Inchworm]

I'm glad you started this thread, juliethegr8t. I was wondering the same thing.

For starters, why not put both thermometers in the same tank. That will tell you if they do actually have different readings. It will not, however, tell you which one is right. Perhaps neither one is.

This little piece of equipment is so important that even though I usually look for bargains, I would gladly spend a few dollars to get an accurate one.

Trouble is, when you go to the lfs and look at the ones on display, they are all apt to have different readings.

Let's hope someone comes by and gives us a clue!!!