Sticky thermometer on glass fish tank

Question

i have a glass fish tank and i bought a sticky digital thermometer but i stuck it on the outside. i have a 200 watt heater for a 10 gallon tank, i know its overkill it doesnt even fit. So i have the heater set at about 24 and i turned it down to 22 becuase the thermometer is reading 26 celcius and it seems to stay that way, I think the thermometer is inaccurate becuase the outside glass tank feels warmer than the water inside, is this possible?

Answer 1

Hi!  I wanted to know if you have any fish yet?  If so what kind?  

I used to have that sticky thermometer too and I ended up throwing it away.  The best thermometer for not a lot of money is a glass thermometer, I suggest the kind with the suction cup, it is accurate and small but easy to read.  Also, I would suggest you return the heater you got and get one that is suited for your 10 gal tank; also it is probably cheaper than the one you have, save some dollars for different kinds of food for your fish... they will like that!

Good luck with your aquarium!

Answer 2

Um ??????? I dont understand what kinda thermometer you bought ? The ones in pet shops ( which is what you should have) go on the inside of the glass in the water (opposite side as the heater)  and mesure the water temp.  Any thermometer on the outside of an aqurium even if its made for that use wont and cant ever give you the reading you need to know. ( what the temp. of the water is) Go to your LFS and get the right kind, not the stick on strips for the outside either. Also with that big heater in such a small tank you are going to cook your fish, depending on what fish you have the temp will need to be between 76-80 F. (not including gold fish which dont need a heater, those d**n things will survive a nuclear blast)  I suspect that your water is WAY hotter that the fish you are keeping need and prolonged exposure to this will kill them for sure.

Hope this helps, good luck

Answer 3

get an internal suck on thermometer