coralife digital thermometer

northcoastdiver · 02/03/2010, 07:26 PM

I just lost a good part of my stock because I put too much faith into this thermometer. I just put in a glass thermometer in and found this piece of sh!t to be a full 10 degrees off from it. I'm sure the experts on here already know this but maybe someone else on here can learn from my stupidity. My question is, is how much can I trust one of those generic glass thermometers from the LFS? I want to get a reef keeper of some type or another that has a temp controller on it but I will have to do that down the road after tax time

So for now just tips on thermometers would be appreciated.

fleming3 · 02/03/2010, 07:42 PM

I can unfortunately feel your pain on this one. I had NO idea this little thing was so inaccurate. I've heard of 5-6 degrees, but a full 10 takes the cake in my opinion. I just ordered one of these: http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...94&pcatid=3894

Hopefully it's better than the crappy Coralife.

FishBum81 · 02/03/2010, 08:17 PM

Thanks for posting. I'm placing an order this evening for my quarterly shipment and was going to pick one up, they're cheap and I figured why not. Now I'll save the money

Thanks again

Dave

Chiefsurfer · 02/03/2010, 08:27 PM

I have one, it is wierd. When I first got it, it was off about 7-8 degrees. After 3 months of running, it is maybe 3-4 degrees off. Wierd that it changes. It is my back-up to my other digital. The other digital is spot on, .1 degree or so.

Duff Man · 02/03/2010, 09:58 PM

I had 2 of these and both went off after a few months. I use one of those liquid crystal stick-on thermometers and a glass one with a suction cup, both cheapos. They are both within a degree of each other which is good enough for me.

Lmecher · 02/03/2010, 10:01 PM

I have them on all my tanks so I can see temp at a glance. I have several extra for when they go, mine can last up to a year. I also have glass thermometers in all my tanks, just in case.

trippkid · 02/03/2010, 10:04 PM

Sorry to hear of the losses, I had the same thing happen to me about yr or so ago, mine was 11 degrees off, so temp was almost 90 when reading 78, not good, I lost a bunch of stuff too. I now use a Ranco controller, along with a Pinpoint Wireless Temp monitor and a glass tube one just to check to make sure things are true. Funny how the old stand by, comes through when needed. Good luck, hope this doesn't happen again to you.
Matt

bertoni · 02/03/2010, 11:40 PM

I gave in and bought a NIST thermometer from Cole-Parmer. Pricey, but guaranteed within a degree or so.

northcoastdiver · 02/04/2010, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishBum81

Thanks for posting. I'm placing an order this evening for my quarterly shipment and was going to pick one up, they're cheap and I figured why not. Now I'll save the money

Thanks again

Dave

after reading everyones post I think I just saved someones tank! Lol. Thanks for all the input guys! I'm just glad I finally found what the hell was killing my tank off. Redundancy from now on!

Octoshark · 02/04/2010, 12:53 AM

At $7 I knew not to trust it and was proven correct when it went whacko a few weeks later. It was only 1* off for the first few weeks though.

bradjenny · 02/04/2010, 01:34 AM

interesting just bought one last weekend will have to watch this closely

epstein · 02/04/2010, 07:16 AM

Good Post.......If you use Any type of digital Thermometer....Do yourself a favor and buy an old fashion cheapo marine GLASS thermometer...... That is great back up ...as well as a properly calibrated Pyrometer ....(for us uber anal guys)

SNAKEMANVET · 02/04/2010, 07:21 AM

I know what you mean,I had one go bad also.I put a glass thermometer in it showed 93,while my digital was showing 77.No more digitals for me.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/04/2010, 08:14 AM

With all of the faulty testing equipment reefers use, it is amazing we can be successful at all.

My Lifeguard Little Time and Temp is off by ~4 degrees. I still use it, but I have to subtract 4 degrees to know the true value.

theyammieguy · 02/04/2010, 08:23 AM

I've had one on my tank for almost 3 years. Haven't even had to change the battery yet. I'm not sure how much its off. I will check it tonight with my glass one.

Neogenocide · 02/04/2010, 09:10 AM

I put w digital and a glass thermo all in the same tank trying to figure out the true temp.....all three read different. Hmmm....which one to trust?

Scott

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/04/2010, 11:43 AM

all three read different. Hmmm....which one to trust?

Some thermometers with a little lead you can equilibrate in your mouth (or in ice water) and get a measurement to see if it is close to known body temp (or 32 deg F).

Or you can buy a high quality device of some sort.

jimnrose · 02/04/2010, 02:08 PM

I followed the advise by 'beananimal' and installed a Ranco temperature controller with 2 Jager heaters. The heaters seem to trigger 'in sync' which implies a close balance (same number set) & the Ranco isset 2 degrees above the heaters set point. Primary advantage is over heat protection. Secondary advantage is multiple heaters (open circuit) as well as reasonable set point balance. Jim

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/04/2010, 02:19 PM

I do the same with a Dynasense controller and a bunch of different aquarium types of heaters, except I have the controller set lower than the heaters, soo the controller is the primary controller, and the aquariium heater thermostats are the secondary backups.

I expect either way works fine, but my controller is rated for 1 million cycles (IIRC), while the aquairum heaters are, well, not likely rated that high.

The controller is also much more precise in its control, but I know many folks don't care about that.

chuckreef · 02/04/2010, 02:54 PM

Perhaps its a simple circuit that depends on a constant voltage?
Perhpas, these are not so bad provided if you change the batteries for fresh ones often.

I also afree with all those who rely on chillers or external controllers for high end control and multiple heaters (three in my largest tank) for low end control.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/04/2010, 03:01 PM

Good idea. I'll try new batteries with with mine.

theyammieguy · 02/04/2010, 06:47 PM

I checked mine with a glass floater and it is acurate.

Boundless · 02/04/2010, 07:47 PM

Would a laser temperature gun be accurate or anyone have experience with these?

Shane Hoffman · 02/04/2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boundless

Would a laser temperature gun be accurate or anyone have experience with these?

I have one I use to amuse my cat.... It is spot on on your aquarium temp if you point it at the rocks or black back ground. Mine is made by FLUKE and was well over a hundred dollars. It reads up to 1000 degrees. I use it on my RC cars to check engine temp.

Shane Hoffman · 02/04/2010, 08:28 PM

Also, I have two digital MARINA AQUAMINDERS that are very similar to the coralife digital displays except they are the bigger and have digital words printed on them such as Water Change, Filter Maintnance, etc...then you can select how many days between intervals of WC. I never forget my water change because every 14 days it starts dinging. The temp reading on it is spot on with the reading I get offf of my HM TDS meter and my fluke laser gun (which is calibrated to .2 degrees)

02/03/2010, 07:26 PM	#1
northcoastdiver Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: California Posts: 101	coralife digital thermometer I just lost a good part of my stock because I put too much faith into this thermometer. I just put in a glass thermometer in and found this piece of sh!t to be a full 10 degrees off from it. I'm sure the experts on here already know this but maybe someone else on here can learn from my stupidity. My question is, is how much can I trust one of those generic glass thermometers from the LFS? I want to get a reef keeper of some type or another that has a temp controller on it but I will have to do that down the road after tax time So for now just tips on thermometers would be appreciated.

02/03/2010, 08:27 PM	#4
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	I have one, it is wierd. When I first got it, it was off about 7-8 degrees. After 3 months of running, it is maybe 3-4 degrees off. Wierd that it changes. It is my back-up to my other digital. The other digital is spot on, .1 degree or so. __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

02/03/2010, 11:40 PM	#8
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I gave in and bought a NIST thermometer from Cole-Parmer. Pricey, but guaranteed within a degree or so. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/04/2010, 12:53 AM	#10
Octoshark Marine Biology Student Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,366	At $7 I knew not to trust it and was proven correct when it went whacko a few weeks later. It was only 1* off for the first few weeks though. __________________ "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."

02/04/2010, 07:16 AM	#12
epstein Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC transplant now in CT Posts: 1,501	Good Post.......If you use Any type of digital Thermometer....Do yourself a favor and buy an old fashion cheapo marine GLASS thermometer...... That is great back up ...as well as a properly calibrated Pyrometer ....(for us uber anal guys) __________________ I'd Rather be a failure at something I love , Than a sucess at something I hate . George Burns Current Tank Info: 150 DD Cube / 100 Gal Sump(basement) 30gal cube frag tank plumb Panworld 250ps return/ Reef Octopus SRO3000 Skimmer/ Bubble Magus Doser/Lumenmax reflector with 400 watt Radium bulb Ice Cap Ballast Apex Controller 2 MP40wes 2 gyre 150

02/03/2010, 07:42 PM	#2
fleming3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashville Posts: 94	I can unfortunately feel your pain on this one. I had NO idea this little thing was so inaccurate. I've heard of 5-6 degrees, but a full 10 takes the cake in my opinion. I just ordered one of these: http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...94&pcatid=3894 Hopefully it's better than the crappy Coralife.

02/03/2010, 08:17 PM	#3
FishBum81 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 47	Thanks for posting. I'm placing an order this evening for my quarterly shipment and was going to pick one up, they're cheap and I figured why not. Now I'll save the money Thanks again Dave

02/03/2010, 09:58 PM	#5
Duff Man Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago's far NW burbs Posts: 629	I had 2 of these and both went off after a few months. I use one of those liquid crystal stick-on thermometers and a glass one with a suction cup, both cheapos. They are both within a degree of each other which is good enough for me.

02/03/2010, 10:01 PM	#6
Lmecher Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,337	I have them on all my tanks so I can see temp at a glance. I have several extra for when they go, mine can last up to a year. I also have glass thermometers in all my tanks, just in case.

02/03/2010, 10:04 PM	#7
trippkid Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lewisberry, PA Posts: 913	Sorry to hear of the losses, I had the same thing happen to me about yr or so ago, mine was 11 degrees off, so temp was almost 90 when reading 78, not good, I lost a bunch of stuff too. I now use a Ranco controller, along with a Pinpoint Wireless Temp monitor and a glass tube one just to check to make sure things are true. Funny how the old stand by, comes through when needed. Good luck, hope this doesn't happen again to you. Matt

02/04/2010, 01:34 AM	#11
bradjenny Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 76	interesting just bought one last weekend will have to watch this closely

02/04/2010, 07:21 AM	#13
SNAKEMANVET PREMIUM MEMBER Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: TRENTON Tn Posts: 4,486	I know what you mean,I had one go bad also.I put a glass thermometer in it showed 93,while my digital was showing 77.No more digitals for me.

02/04/2010, 08:14 AM	#14
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	With all of the faulty testing equipment reefers use, it is amazing we can be successful at all. My Lifeguard Little Time and Temp is off by ~4 degrees. I still use it, but I have to subtract 4 degrees to know the true value. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/04/2010, 08:23 AM	#15
theyammieguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 1,691	I've had one on my tank for almost 3 years. Haven't even had to change the battery yet. I'm not sure how much its off. I will check it tonight with my glass one. __________________ "Ya'll can go to hell, I'm going to Texas". David Crockett. 12g JBJ deluxe JBJ viper 70w, maxi jet 900, Koralia nano, two false percs, softies, LPS, and SPS, about 25# LR and 2"-3" SB. Running since 3/22/07. Soon to add sump with skimmer Click my home page for pictures. 40g breeder upgrade in progress. Planning a 60g cube FOWLR.

02/04/2010, 09:10 AM	#16
Neogenocide Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Findlay, OH Posts: 851	I put w digital and a glass thermo all in the same tank trying to figure out the true temp.....all three read different. Hmmm....which one to trust? Scott __________________ NorthWest Ohio Reef Association

02/04/2010, 11:43 AM	#17
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	all three read different. Hmmm....which one to trust? Some thermometers with a little lead you can equilibrate in your mouth (or in ice water) and get a measurement to see if it is close to known body temp (or 32 deg F). Or you can buy a high quality device of some sort. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/04/2010, 02:08 PM	#18
jimnrose Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Villages, Florida Posts: 1,093	I followed the advise by 'beananimal' and installed a Ranco temperature controller with 2 Jager heaters. The heaters seem to trigger 'in sync' which implies a close balance (same number set) & the Ranco isset 2 degrees above the heaters set point. Primary advantage is over heat protection. Secondary advantage is multiple heaters (open circuit) as well as reasonable set point balance. Jim

02/04/2010, 02:19 PM	#19
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I do the same with a Dynasense controller and a bunch of different aquarium types of heaters, except I have the controller set lower than the heaters, soo the controller is the primary controller, and the aquariium heater thermostats are the secondary backups. I expect either way works fine, but my controller is rated for 1 million cycles (IIRC), while the aquairum heaters are, well, not likely rated that high. The controller is also much more precise in its control, but I know many folks don't care about that. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef Last edited by Randy Holmes-Farley; 02/04/2010 at 02:28 PM.

02/04/2010, 02:54 PM	#20
chuckreef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Davis, Ca. Posts: 816	Perhaps its a simple circuit that depends on a constant voltage? Perhpas, these are not so bad provided if you change the batteries for fresh ones often. I also afree with all those who rely on chillers or external controllers for high end control and multiple heaters (three in my largest tank) for low end control.

02/04/2010, 03:01 PM	#21
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Good idea. I'll try new batteries with with mine. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/04/2010, 06:47 PM	#22
theyammieguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 1,691	I checked mine with a glass floater and it is acurate. __________________ "Ya'll can go to hell, I'm going to Texas". David Crockett. 12g JBJ deluxe JBJ viper 70w, maxi jet 900, Koralia nano, two false percs, softies, LPS, and SPS, about 25# LR and 2"-3" SB. Running since 3/22/07. Soon to add sump with skimmer Click my home page for pictures. 40g breeder upgrade in progress. Planning a 60g cube FOWLR.

02/04/2010, 07:47 PM	#23
Boundless Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Richardson,Texas Posts: 140	Would a laser temperature gun be accurate or anyone have experience with these? __________________ The biggest tank you can have in life is in your dreams. = ) Current Tank Info: Planning Stage!

02/04/2010, 08:28 PM	#25
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	Also, I have two digital MARINA AQUAMINDERS that are very similar to the coralife digital displays except they are the bigger and have digital words printed on them such as Water Change, Filter Maintnance, etc...then you can select how many days between intervals of WC. I never forget my water change because every 14 days it starts dinging. The temp reading on it is spot on with the reading I get offf of my HM TDS meter and my fluke laser gun (which is calibrated to .2 degrees) __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef