what thermometer you use?

[canadianeh]

I am looking for a thermometer to check on the spot anytime I want and also to cross reference it with my in water heaters.

Anyone is using laser/infrared thermometer? Are they accurate?

 

[Shunopoli]

I use the hannah checker. It does my salinity and temp and is pretty cheap.

 

[BighohoReef]

We got this one off of Amazon... I took some readings from the tank to give you an idea of the range. I included what a our thermometer was showing for the tank currently. We run two BRS 200w Titanium heaters in the sump.

77 - Just me pointing the reader at the tank about 2ft away from the tank
78.3 - the middle bottom
78.6 - Pointed at our overflow in the back

 

[mcshams]

I'm not sure due to reflection/refraction if an IR thermometer will work as accurately and consistently as you might hope. Especially when we are trying to keep a pretty tight margin of temperature swing with our tanks. If you own one, take the temperature of your forearm (or similar) and watch how varied it will be.... or a BBQ (even worse). With the overall refractivity of water, you might expect 5 degree swings. Additionally, they will ONLY tell you what the SURFACE of the water temp is; nothing deep.

 

[cloak]

I just use those little stickers you place on the side of the glass. No problem. I've checked this with the thermometer on my floating glass hydrometer and it's usually pretty dang close. A ballpark figure is really all I'm looking for.

 

[mcshams]

For a ballpark, you would love the device then. They are quick. (I own several for construction stuff and the ole BBQ)
As you can see by @BighohoReef post.. super easy, barely an inconvenience.

 

[Spieg]

I have temp probe on the heater controller, a stick on thermometer, a floating glass hydrometer with thermometer, and a HM Digital salinity tester that also measures temp. They all read within a degree or two of each other. I just pick one to "trust" and watch for any variation in it's reading (stability being more important than exact measurement).

 

[Lukielight]

I use a fluke 52 thermometer when checking for accuracy, but it's not exactly budget friendly.

 

[tehmadreefer]

Old school glass thermometer

 

[richarddeweerd]

I have a waterproof thermal sensor connected to an arduino/EPS8266 and that is showing it on a web interface.
I have an IR laser thermometer too, but i've only used it to measure the temp of my LED heat sink

 

[BighohoReef]

Don’t get me wrong, it’s more for spot checking. I still have my apex setup to monitor temp. I’m a risk adverse person so I try to have fail safes for each portion of the system. Temp included. The addiction is real

 

[canadianeh]

We got this one off of Amazon... I took some readings from the tank to give you an idea of the range. I included what a our thermometer was showing for the tank currently. We run two BRS 200w Titanium heaters in the sump.

77 - Just me pointing the reader at the tank about 2ft away from the tank
78.3 - the middle bottom
78.6 - Pointed at our overflow in the back

I can't see it. Whats the reading on the thermometer glass?

 

[X-37B]

I use a Hanna ph/tds meter that has temp.
I also, and use more often, a 30 year old mercury lab thermometer.
For quick check they cant be beat. You can find a few on ebay.
You can also check them in ice water and boiling water and mine is never off.
Quick pics.

 

[X-37B]

I can't see it. Whats the reading on the thermometer glass?

Looks like 78° to me.

 

[BighohoReef]

I can't see it. Whats the reading on the thermometer glass?

78ish

 

[spllbnd2]

Just so everyone is aware, with those IR thermometers, you are measuring the temperature of what that red dot is on. So if you have it pointed at a piece of LR, you have the surface temp of the LR and not the water. Same goes for the sandbed.

IR thermometers are great for taking temperatures of objects. I have used them both in the automotive industry and the aviation industry.

For home aquarium use, I double check the calibration of my controller probes by using a NSF food thermometer. One of those you can re calibrate using a glass of ice water. Have never had any issues with any of the reef tanks I've had over the years doing it this way.

Cheers
Alex

 

[WvAquatics]

I have a inkbird and I spot check with a digital food service thermometer. Check calibration with ice and water once in awhile

 

[MTBake]

I use this one...

Thermapen® ONE

Cook with great confidence. Thermapen ONE delivers precise readings in under one second, so you can dial in doneness and make critical adjustments without slowing down. With ±0.5°F accuracy in key temperature ranges and an included NIST-traceable calibration certificate, every measurement is...

www.thermoworks.com

 

[WvAquatics]

I don't see a point of a thermometer in the tank 24/7 I never looked at them in freshwater tanks. Saltwater I just check my inkbird and check temp with other tests

 

[rob taft]

I have a inkbird and I spot check with a digital food service thermometer. Check calibration with ice and water once in awhile

This is the same way I monitor temperature. I use a Thermopen. Serves multiple uses besides checking tank temperature. I also own a Heat Spy but I wouldn't use that for checking tank temperature.