thermometers that don't suck?

[Tostada]

I still haven't gotten a thermometer for my new aquarium. I've got a stealth heater and right now I'm just assuming it's maintaining the temp I have it set it.

Everytime I'm looking at fish (there are a lot of places around here with fish), I look at the thermometers, and they're always terrible. Whether it's a $1 thermometer or a $5 thermometer, there is usually at least a 5 degree difference between a single brand of thermometer on a single peg. I was just in a store today, and looking at their more expensive thermometers, one read 68, two read 72, one read 73.

It actually makes me think that those plastic stick-on thermometers might be more accurate than the POS glass ones these places sell. There's just nothing that looks like a quality thermometer. Some of the LFS have $30 digital thermometers that have a clock in them, but I don't have any desire to spend that much (or to have a clock on my aquarium).

Any ideas?

 

[Zagz]

I use digital thermometers. They are a bit more expensive but more accurate IMO.

 

[Lonewolfblue]

My personal favorite....

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...cl0/coralifebatteryoperateddigitalthermometer

 

[Fishyfanatic]

I used to use the same that Lone uses. Then I went to the lfs in our area and found digitals without the probe. The entire thing goes in the tank and suctions onto it. More expensive, but at least I don't have that cord hanging anymore.

 

[Lonewolfblue]

I used to use the same that Lone uses. Then I went to the lfs in our area and found digitals without the probe. The entire thing goes in the tank and suctions onto it. More expensive, but at least I don't have that cord hanging anymore.

I've seen those, pretty cool.
Have you seen these?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13968&inm=1&N=2004+113159+2032

 

[Tostada]

I used to use the same that Lone uses. Then I went to the lfs in our area and found digitals without the probe. The entire thing goes in the tank and suctions onto it. More expensive, but at least I don't have that cord hanging anymore.

Which store?

 

[An t-iasg]

I bought a digital thermometer from the kitchen/home store. It's not in the tank all the time, but it's so easy to use - just turn it on and hold in the tank for about 5 seconds - that I usually take a reading every day at feeding time.

 

[Lonewolfblue]

How's these?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13968&inm=1&N=2004+113159+2032

 

[dehinrichs]

I recently switched to one of these from the Coralife digital: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=3894&N=2004+113769

I like it better than the small coralife thermometer because this one reads out both in the aquarium temp and air temp. Plus it's got a button for a light - very nice to have after the aquarium lights go out. Plus it uses a AAA battery, not one of those little round batteries.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

I can't find the product online and we tossed the packaging already. Are you a local Tostada? I purchased it at Beldt's Aquarium in STL.

 

[src]

I've been tempted by the digitals, but the best of them are only accurate to within 1.5 degrees. That means that the difference between any two readings could be 3 degrees.

I know I'm being picky, but that's too big a deviation for my taste.

 

[malkore]

My personal favorite....

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...cl0/coralifebatteryoperateddigitalthermometer

I own 5 of these, and they're all very accurate, until the battery goes dead after 2 years...then they read really cold for some reason

 

[plecoperson]

I have two of the coralife ones-they seem to work very well and aren't too $$. Need another so I don't have to keep dragging one out of the tank every time I do a water change.

 

[JustOneMore20]

I liked my Coralife one until I dropped it into the tank....not good.

I think I may go with the one dehinrichs suggested. I just have to make myself pay $20 for a thermometer though. The digi-mag ones are cool...but too big. I wouldn't want to keep it in the tank all the time. It would bother me.

So far I've had luck with the cheapo glass ones. When I had my Coralife one, it was always within a degree of the glass one, so I guess they aren't too off.