Digital Thermometer Question

[Drumachine09]

Like most of you, I try to hide as much equipment as possible in my tank to make it look as realistic as possible. I was thinking about getting a digital thermometer. Would there be any adverse effects if I added the probe into the back of a filter instead of in the tank? It would be the same temperature as the tank water, because its always circulating, so i don't think that would pose a problem.


Any input?

[Blue Ram]

I dont see a problem as long as it doesnt get in the way of the motor or anything. I just sit mine at the top back of my 38 gallon.

[xoolooxunny]

Is there anything you could hide it behind? a rock or plant or something?

[Blue Ram]

Is there anything you could hide it behind? a rock or plant or something?

It would have to be a tall plant or rock because you would have to hide the cord too.

[xoolooxunny]

It would have to be a tall plant or rock because you would have to hide the cord too.

hmm, yes... a minor oversight on my part. . .

[Wild Turkey]

The readout in the moving water is gonna slightly cooler than the actually temperature, put ur heater with an auto sensor in water thats the same temp as u have ur heater set to, the heater should turn off. Now swish the water around, and watch the heater turn back on.

One could could take the argument the opposite way as well, saying when the water isnt moving very much the equipment is only reading/heating the water thats right near it.

But in my opinion neither of these factors are significant enough to effect temperature control much if at all either way.

[cocoa_pleco]

there would be no different reading, it would be the same

[jphonger]

there would be no different reading, it would be the same
I agree, the water flowing through the filter should be flowing enough that the temperature wouldn't drop at all...

Putting the thermometer in the filter is a neat idea, as long as you can still read it easily of course....

[jbeining75]

I don't think it would cayse any difference in temp. The water is in the filter so little and hardly subject to air temp. The temperature change maybe as little as .1 degrees. Place a digital and a glass thermometer in the tank. Note the readings. Take the digital and place it in the filter housing. Note the readings. See the difference if any. I would imagine almost none.

[Ellen4God]

So, you could put the probe into the filter thing instead of the aquarium?

[Drumachine09]

I've also thought about putting 3-4 50 watt heaters in the back of a filter. There is juuuust enough in the back of my penguin for some. It would heat the water more efficiently, because it would heat the water as it came in, and disperse that heat pretty quickly.


I'd be worried about it melting the plastic though, so it might not be a good idea.

[jbeining75]

I've also thought about putting 3-4 50 watt heaters in the back of a filter. There is juuuust enough in the back of my penguin for some. It would heat the water more efficiently, because it would heat the water as it came in, and disperse that heat pretty quickly.


I'd be worried about it melting the plastic though, so it might not be a good idea.

It would probably melt the plastic and overwork the heaters.

[cocoa_pleco]

yep, you could stick the probe in the filter

just a small tip, get digital thermometers that have a corded probe and a screen that sticks on the outside, i had a submersible digital thermometer on my 55g reef and it fell into a piece of LR that i cant reach into

[Ellen4God]

yep, you could stick the probe in the filter

just a small tip, get digital thermometers that have a corded probe and a screen that sticks on the outside, i had a submersible digital thermometer on my 55g reef and it fell into a piece of LR that i cant reach into

Now the question is how do you get the stickon thermometers off? lol :14:

[cocoa_pleco]

probably with a razor blade, theyre probably a b**** to get off

[jphonger]

if the heater wasn't actually touching the plastic, i doubt that you would melt anything. but the overworking the heater part could be right. the plastic would probably have to reach a temp much greater than boiling temp... I am going out on a limb here to say make sure the heater element glass isn't in contact with the plastic and try it out... It could actually be beneficial having the water always being warm inside the filter, good for growing beneficial bacteria.
the one thing I question is whether the heater will actually be overworked..
try it and let us know! :hmm3grin2orange:

[Drumachine09]

I thought about the overworking aspect, but all I would need to do is get a heater with a dial on it, and spend a few hours/days to calibrate exactly what they need to be at to get the general water column at a stable 78ish.

[Ellen4God]

probably with a razor blade, theyre probably a b**** to get off

That's what I was thinking. We shall see how it goes...

[Drumachine09]

Use a razor blade, and then use acetone or paint thinner to break up the adhesive left behind.

[Ellen4God]

Use a razor blade, and then use acetone or paint thinner to break up the adhesive left behind.

Would nail polish remover work? (typical girl question)

[jbeining75]

Why not just throw the heater behind a rock formation laying horizontal or a big decror. even the probe you could run down the corner behind a big plant I guess... The filter thing would work as long as in the middle of the night the filter box didn't melt and when you woke up in the morning the tank was 1/4 full and the filter was grinding dry lol....

[Algenco]

Would nail polish remover work? (typical girl question)


most nail polish remover is acetone