tetra thermometer?

[x22]

I have been relying on my heater to keep the temperature stable without using a thermoeter. I just decided to pickup a thermometer and since i have a smaller tank i didnt want one of the bulky ones so i decided to go with the tetra stick on thermometer that goes on the outside of the tank? how accurate are these? My heater has been set for 80 degrees and the thermoeter was reading 85 the whole day. i lowered the heater to 77 and the thermometer dropped to 84. im starting to get worried that the temperature is too hot. the water does not feel that warm when i place my finger in it. should i just pickup one of the bulky thermometers? im not sure of the wattage of the heater the lfs told me it was ok for my tank. its only about 5 months old.

 

[x22]

anyone??

 

[melbournefl]

The stick on the outside thermometerd are notoriously inacurate, pick up a small floating one from your LFS.
Just my .02 of course,
Paul

 

[jarvis]

I have both. the floating ones are more accurate. However I have a Second Nature mounted in the lower portion of the tank it seems it is accurate with the floating one, there not that bulky. If you want to check the accuracy of it get a thermometer the kind you use when you get sick and compare the results.