Which thermometer is correct.

[tehmadreefer]

How big of a temp shift would you say is too much in a 24 hr cycle for me it's a 2 to 3 degree shift over 24 hrs every day for about 4 months now and no signs of stress thankfully

Temp has very little effect. Now a daily swing of 10 degrees may cause some stress but softies and lps are quite hardy so even then they may not have any issues.

 

[sfin52]

thats not bad. I set for 76 by the end of the day 78 thats my tank.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

I would trust marina and I'm not sure you can

Temp has very little effect. Now a daily swing of 10 degrees may cause some stress but softies and lps are quite hardy so even then they may not have any issues.

Thank you! My stress has always been temp. I am able to tame it normally but I do experience very small swings. Knowing it's not a big for the swings I do get is a weight off my shoulder

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

thats not bad. I set for 76 by the end of the day 78 thats my tank.

I would prefer your range but I cant seem to accomplish it I have a pretty strong fam for cooling and a pretty good heater but it always sits at 80° I'm moving at the end of the month and I'll probably switch to doing ac in the room

 

[Mastiffsrule]

If it is gradually over 24 hours and a few degrees there should be no issues.

An issue would be a big shift like when a heater fails running up temps quick or changing water and replacing the 80 degree dt water with 70 degree fresh. It’s the quick sudden changes that posses danger usually more than if a tank drops below 70 or above 90.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Or be anti technology like me and use this. It does temp and salinity and never needs calibration.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

If it is gradually over 24 hours and a few degrees there should be no issues.

An issue would be a big shift like when a heater fails running up temps quick or changing water and replacing the 80 degree dt water with 70 degree fresh. It’s the quick sudden changes that posses danger usually more than if a tank drops below 70 or above 90.

My premixed saltwater sits at 70° but I always make sure to heat it to about .5° difference! And yeah I've never had to worry about below 70 and above 90.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Or be anti technology like me and use this. It does temp and salinity and never needs calibration.

How does it do salinity?

 

[Brett S]

How does it do salinity?

Actually that one looks like it’s specific gravity only and not temp, but some of them also have a thermometer in the base. But in any case, it’s a hyrdometer and it floats on the water with the top sticking out. The more salt in the water the more it will stick out and you can read the specific gravity (salinity) by looking at where the surface of the water is on the scale at the top.

 

[KrisReef]

Stick the probes under your tongue and wait for them to stabilize. That will give you a reading closer to your tanks water temperature.

 

[sfin52]

I would prefer your range but I cant seem to accomplish it I have a pretty strong fam for cooling and a pretty good heater but it always sits at 80° I'm moving at the end of the month and I'll probably switch to doing ac in the room

there are spots that end up at 79. Youll have hot and cool spots in the tank

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Stick the probes under your tongue and wait for them to stabilize. That will give you a reading closer to your tanks water temperature.

This is under the tounge

 

[sfin52]

This is under the tounge

Are you feeling ok ?

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

The other thermometer read 99 . The marina thermometer was 32 on ice test and top fin was 28.

Ice test
Marina 32.4
Top fin 28

For tongue test
Marina 101.3
Medical 99.4
Top fin 99.8

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Are you feeling ok ?

Feelin great Haha I dont think I'm sick

 

[KrisReef]

The other thermometer read 99 . The marina thermometer was 32 on ice test and top fin was 28.

Ice test
Marina 32.4
Top fin 28

For tongue test
Marina 101.3
Medical 99.4
Top fin 99.8

Nice. Looks like the Top fin is more accurate at the upper end of the range.
Also looks like you are running hot or maybe you just drank a cup of coffee? :)

 

[tehmadreefer]

I've ditched the digital ones altogether for this very reason and have 2 old style glass ones suctioned to my skimmer and hanging down in the water. Both read the same.

 

[Brett S]

Nice. Looks like the Top fin is more accurate at the upper end of the range.

Yeah, this is the problem... one thermometer may be more accurate at 32 degrees and the other more accurate at 99 degrees, but who knows which is the most accurate at 78 degrees where the tank is. And for that matter, who knows if the medical thermometer is even accurate.

Honestly trying to compare thermometers like this is just going to drive you mad, unless you get a certified thermometer that you can trust.

But luckily stability is really more important than a specific temperature for our reef tanks. If the thermometer says 79 and the water is really 77 or 81 it doesn’t really matter. The fish and corals are going to do fine. Pick one thermometer and use that, trying to keep your temp toward the middle of the good range and if the water is really a little warmer or a little colder than you think it is it’s not going to matter at all.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Nice. Looks like the Top fin is more accurate at the upper end of the range.
Also looks like you are running hot or maybe you just drank a cup of coffee? :)

Nah I might have a slight fever Haha.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

I've ditched the digital ones altogether for this very reason and have 2 old style glass ones suctioned to my skimmer and hanging down in the water. Both read the same.

What glass thermometer should I use? Any decent under 20? My fiance is watching my spending Haha I've spent 30$ this week testing cheapo thermometers to see which brand is best for the price