Here is a short buying guide that will provide you with basically everything you need to get started when buying the best aquarium thermometer. We will give you all the prerequisites so that you can take the best buying decision! Let’s move on.
What Are the Benefits of Having an Aquarium Thermometer?
What is the best aquarium thermometer? What aquarium thermometers are most accurate? Having the best aquarium thermometer in your fish tank ensures that your fish are being kept in an environment where their lives are not being put at risk. Temperatures that fall above or below your fish’s ideal living temperature could ultimately put your fish at risk for increased metabolism and shorten their lifespan.
It may not seem like a big deal, but, the fish notice the few rise or drops in temperature instantly. Imagine if you used to live at a certain temperature and all of a sudden you were thrown into a different environment without the necessities to keep you warmer or colder? Fish work the exact same way. So, owning the best aquarium thermometer and educating yourself will help answer questions like “what thermometer is most accurate?”, “Why do I need to monitor the temperatures?”, and “where do you even put a thermometer?”.
Aquarium Thermometer Types
When you’re looking to buy a thermometer for your aquarium, you may want to think about the different types of best aquarium thermometers you’d like to have. Sometimes certain ones work better than others, so make sure you’re aware of the different fish thermometers that are available on the market. You may be wondering where to put the thermometer, and what kind of thermometer measures water temperature best. Keep reading and you’ll learn about all the different types;
- LCD Stick-on Thermometers
The stick-on thermometers are what most people find the ideal type of best aquarium thermometer. It functions by being stuck on the side of the tank and it will display the temperature by color. They are a relatively cheap option when it comes to the best aquarium thermometers and can be a good option if you’re not needing to check for specific temperatures. The only issue is that they can be hard to read and once you stick them on they usually can’t be moved. They are also not as accurate as other models on the market. But overall, if you’re not looking for exact temperatures this could be a good option for you.
- Standing Or Floating Aquarium Thermometers?
These are analog thermometers that use the same mechanisms as the ones you may have to measure the temperature in your home. They usually float around the tank or are secured to the walls or the bottom of the tank. You can tell what temperature the water is by checking the temperature from the red bar.
These thermometers are a good choice for people who need an accurate reading of their tank temperature. Most of the best aquarium thermometers will show a “green bar” which is the “safe zone” you should keep your tank temperature. They’re not expensive, and usually will last a lifetime. The only issue with this type of thermometer is that fish may damage the thermometer, or a plastic one may break after being used for too long.
- Perks of Digital Aquarium Thermometers
How does a digital aquarium thermometer work? Are digital aquarium thermometers accurate? These thermometers usually are smaller and have an LCD display that sits on top of the tank. They will have a temperature probe which should be placed into the water and it will measure the temperature in the water. They are a good choice as they are very accurate, they can be changed from Celsius to Fahrenheit, and they are very easy to read.
The best digital thermometers are long-lasting and are capable of being durable and are not easily damaged or broken. The only downside that you should be aware of is that they can be more expensive than other types of thermometers on the market. We will suggest that you stay clear of plastic ones, or ones that seem to be too low of a price, as they may not be as accurate as other models at reading the temperature. The only big downside is that you will eventually have to replace the batteries every once in a while.
What Are the Benefits of Having a Digital Aquarium Thermometer?
There aren’t really that many benefits of having an aquarium thermometer, however, we highly suggest that you need one to make sure that your tank is providing your fish with a healthy temperature and environment that won’t damage their health. By having a thermometer installed in your tank, you’ll be able to monitor the temperature and adjust the tank temperature to the need of your type of species of fish. Always do research on what type of fish you own and what their ideal water temperature is.
- Ease of Operation
Best aquarium thermometers are not hard to operate at all. The only time installation may be complicated will be if you already have the fish in the tank and do not have a separate tank to put them in while installing. Most of the best aquarium thermometers will have an easy-to-read display, however, not all of them come with this feature. If you get one that only reads by color then it may not be as easy. After you’re done installing, there really aren’t any complications you need to be aware of other than if your thermometer starts to malfunction.
- Aquarium Thermometer’s Longevity
Most aquarium thermometers will last a few years, however, there is still the chance that something will go wrong while you are using it. Always make sure to check if the thermometer is damaged, as sometimes fish or other sea life will bump against it. You can prevent this by buying non-plastic type thermometers. Also, check to see if it is displaying the correct temperature by measuring the temperature with a regular thermometer. Look for signs of cracks, major jumps in temperature, etc.
- Accuracy
You also may be wondering about aquarium thermometer accuracy. Most of the best aquarium thermometers are going to be very accurate at displaying the temperature in the tank. You will always want to make sure that the thermometer is reading the temperature of the water and not just the inside air of the tank. If you’re using a normal thermometer it may be off by just a few degrees, and if you’re using a digital water thermometer, they will usually be very accurate. Now, if you decided to get one that displays the right temperature by color, then you may want to consider that these can be extremely vague. So, if your fish happens to need a consistent temperature, get a different type of thermometer, as these can be super inaccurate.
- Aquarium Thermometer’s Versatility
Aquarium thermometers can be used for many other types of projects. Other people have noted that you can use thermometers for potting and planting, reptiles, amphibians, incubators, refrigerators, etc. There are so many uses you can use a thermometer, basically anything you need to know the temperature of.
What’s The Ideal Aquarium Temperature?
You may be wondering, “what temperature should my aquarium be”, or “what temperature should a freshwater aquarium be?”. The ideal temperature of an aquarium tank is going to depend on a few important factors. First of all, if you own tropical fish, you’re going to need to keep the tank warmer. If you own sea creatures such as crabs or crustaceans, you’re going to need to keep the tank cooler. An ideal range that benefits all creatures is going to be between the temperature range of 76 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Some species will require more, and others less, so many sure you know what temperature should an aquarium be specific tank needs to be to keep your fish in optimal health.
- Saltwater Aquarium Temperature
You may be asking yourself, “what temperature should I keep my saltwater aquarium at? Saltwater fish need to be kept at a warmer temperature or else you are risking their death. Saltwater fish should always be kept in a warm environment, as they are designed to be living in warmer climates. The ideal temperature for tropical fish is an aquarium that is set to be 78-degree Fahrenheit to 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Freshwater Aquarium Temperature
Freshwater fish need to be placed in a tank temperature that is a little colder than most other fishes. This is because warmer temperatures can actually be harmful to their bodies and increase their metabolism and shorten their lifespan significantly. The best temperature for aquariums to keep tropical fish is anywhere from 75 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The water temperature for freshwater aquariums should be kept around these temperatures. It’s important that the freshwater aquarium water temperature does not drop below or go any higher, as this could cause your fish to die.
- Tropical Aquarium Temperature
Tropical fish need to be kept at water temperatures that are typically warmer than most. This is because they live in a climate that is naturally warm. A good range to keep your aquarium tank at is between 76 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
