A thermometer is one of least expensive pieces of equipment to buy for an aquarium, but is too often an item ignored when one purchases the basics for an aquarium set up. Why? An aquarium thermometer is cheap, starting as low as under $2.00, and serves one vital purpose, to allow you to monitor the temperature of the water in your aquarium at all times.
It's normal for an aquarium's temperature to rise and fall by a few degrees from day to night.
Factors that can contribute to this change are high output lights being on or off, the running of other heat generating pieces of equipment like submersible sump water pumps, power heads and such. However, without a thermometer in your aquarium, how do you know when the tank temp is too high, too low, or just right.
What can go wrong?
- Equipment failure is possible, particularly when it comes to old aquarium heaters. Heater failure can occur after a unit has been running for a long period time. In other words, it wears out, typically resulting in the malfunctioning of the heat regulating mechanism. When this happens the heater will either stop working altogether, or more likely, it won't turn off at all!
In the later situation it's usually only when the aquarium owner puts their hand in the water they find out just how HOT it is, like having spiked to 96 degrees because of a worn out heater that got stuck! Ouch. Been there, done that!
- Most all aquarium heaters are on a preset temperature when purchased, and therefore it is not unusual for an aquarium owner to put a heater in their tank, plug it in and forget it. Assuming that the unit will do its job, they don't take into account that the temp dial may have accidentally gotten moved when handling and installing the heater. Not having a thermometer, how do you know if the heater temp is not only set correctly, but that the unit is working properly?
Yes, it is possible but highly unlikely for a new heater to be faulty. Encounters with aquarium water reaching critically high temperatures is primarily due to an old, malfunctioning heater. Do yourself and your tank inhabitants a favor. If you don't have a thermometer on your aquarium, get one, and then check your tank temperature regularly. Better yet, why not invest in a quality unit that automatically alerts you to a problem.
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