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The success or failure of your aquarium may depend on how well you keep the water temperature. That’s why it’s SO important to be able to accurately measure its temperature. And while heaters are great for controlling the temperature of your tank, their readouts aren’t always accurate.
This small device is a must-have piece of aquarium equipment; if you have a fish tank, you need an aquarium thermometer. It’s that easy! Warm and cold water appear the same to you and me. Water temperature cannot be determined simply by looking at it. This is where your thermometer comes in handy. It allows you to confirm that the water inside your tank is the right temperature for your fish. So, to assist you, we’ve compiled a list of reviews of the best aquarium thermometers available.
Here is the list of Best Aquarium Thermometers
Capetsma Touch Screen Fish Tank Thermometer
The best Aquarium Thermometers is the capetsma Digital Touch Screen Fish Tank Thermometer. The large LCD on this thermometer measures 3.2 inches from corner to corner, making it easy to read even from a distance of several feet. The entire thermometer is 3 inches by 3 inches in size and is completely wireless, attaching to the outside of the tank and reading the temperature through the glass. It measures in both Fahrenheit and Celsius and is accurate to within one degree.
It has a temperature range setting that causes the display to flash if it falls outside your specified range. This thermometer is incompatible with plastic or acrylic tanks. It may also be difficult to remove once attached to the glass, so make sure you know where you want it before sticking it in. It is battery powered and comes with one battery plus an extra with the purchase of the thermometer.
JW Aquarium SmartTemp Thermometer
JW Pet Company deserves credit for producing an excellent thermometer. We’ve been using this brand for several years and have always found them useful. We already knew we liked this thermometer, but we wanted to be fair and test it alongside the others. On the ice bath test, all three Smarttemps we tested registered exactly 32°F (0°C).
We tested a brand new one as well as two that were already in my tanks for this set of reviews. We tested each one twice with the ice bath, for a total of six tests. To be fair, this is an alcohol thermometer rather than a digital one, so there is no absolute number readout. However, just by looking at it, they appear to be pretty close.
The thermometer’s number scale goes all the way down to 30°F, but the liquid never dropped below 32°F. The set upkeep it’ tinsel plus pictures are extremely simple. Simply remove the magnet from the front of the thermometer, place the thermometer’s main body in the tank, up against the glass, and place the magnet on the outside of the glass, near the top of the thermometer.
Marina Deluxe Floating Thermometer
Bigger, fancier, and more expensive aquarium thermometers are not the best option when it comes to selecting the best overall aquarium thermometer. The Marina Deluxe Floating Thermometer with Suction Cup is a steal, works right out of the box, and will outlast your fish if handled properly. The deluxe model has a more prominent temperature range for a wider range of goldfish and is easier to read. Unlike digital models, traditional technology does not require any calibration or fussing.
You can use it in your tank, sump, or overflow whenever you need a reliable temperature reading. The Marina Deluxe Floating Thermometer’s only real drawback is that it is made of thin glass and is easily broken if dropped or mishandled. However, because the thin glass allows for the most accurate temperature reading, this is an essential component of analogue thermometers. Thus, this product is one of the best Aquarium Thermometers available right now.
AQUANEAT Aquarium Thermometer
The Aquaneat was the most accurate of the three digital thermometers we tested. Installing this thermometer entails attaching a suction cup to a slot on the back of the temperature module and then inserting a wired probe into the tank itself, which is secured with another suction cup. The temperature module has a clear, easy-to-read LCD display. It’s simple to see from various perspectives. The temperature can even be read from several feet away.
We liked it because we could quickly and accurately determine the temperature by walking by the tank. Furthermore, all three Aquaneat thermometers we tested provided consistent temperature readings that were all within a tenth of a degree of one another. The only drawback to this thermometer is that you must immerse a portion of your arm in water to suction cup the temperature probe to the inside glass of the aquarium.
KIZEN Infrared Thermometer Gun
It’s easy to use the Kizen LaserPro LP300 Infrared Thermometer: hold it 14 inches away from a surface, point, press the trigger, and then release. It will instantly and accurately read the temperature of that surface. The LP300, in addition to providing instant results, can read temperatures in Fahrenheit or Celsius, has a backlit LCD screen, and runs on only two AAA batteries. It also never needs to be cleaned.
Laser thermometers, such as the Kizen LaserPro, are popular among aquatic veterinarians because they reduce cross contamination between systems. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone who has multiple aquariums. You can measure the temperature by pointing directly down into the tank or taking readings off the glass, which will be a similar temperature to the water. Currently, this is one of the best Aquarium Thermometers that you can buy right now.
Lifegard Aquatics Digital Temp Alert
Easily one of the best Aquarium Thermometers available on the market, The Lifegard Aquatic “Big Digital” is just that. The 4-inch-by-4-inch temperature monitor has large, easy-to-read LCD characters. This makes the temperature visible from a distance.
The Big Digital Temp Alert has a programmable alarm that notifies you when the temperature rises or falls outside of an acceptable range. The unit displays both the temperature of the aquarium and the temperature of the surrounding environment. The thermometer includes a probe for measuring aquarium water and an internal thermometer for measuring room temperature.
The suction cup on the in-tank probe allows it to be attached to the aquarium glass. The LCD screen displays these two measurements. The Lifegard Aquatic Big Digital is suitable for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. The unit can be attached to the aquarium glass or stand alone.
KollerCraft TOM Temp Alert Digital Thermometer
This is now more expensive, but it has a lot more features. It’s only 1.6 ounces and measures 7.5 x 5 x 1.5 inches. This is appropriate for both freshwater and saltwater tanks. The display shows the temperature and alerts you when it exceeds the preset range of 75 to 82 degrees F. The display also shows the time of the alert, as well as an audible warning.
There is also a memory feature that saves the high and low temperatures. The thermometer display is attached via a 3-foot cord to a plastic probe, which has a suction cup you can attach to the inside wall of your aquarium. It runs on batteries, which can be either two Energizer 357 button cells or two LR 44 button cells.
Gain Express Digital pH & Temperature Meter
The Gain Express Digital Combo pH & Temperature Meter is a premium-priced thermometer with the bonus of an accurate pH meter. This thermometer can be wall-mounted, hung on the tank’s side, or mounted on a tripod (not included). The large display measures about 2 inches from corner to corner, and the overall size of the monitor is 3.5 inches by 2.48 inches.
The LCD display has a backlight so you can read it even in the dark, but it goes into power-saving mode after 5 minutes of inactivity to save battery life. The pH meter is calibrated at multiple points to provide the most accurate reading possible. While this thermometer can be used continuously, the manufacturer recommends that the probe be kept underwater at all times, even though the probe is replaceable. Still, it is one of the best Aquarium Thermometers that you can consider.
Final Words
The temperature of your tank can directly impact the health of your tank’s animals and plants, and temperature can be used in conjunction with treatments for injury and illness. However, there are numerous thermometers on the market, ranging from simple to complex. Here are reviews of the best aquarium thermometers to help you navigate the thicket of thermometers and find the best one for your tank.