HELP!!!!!. 83.7 f Temperature. controller and cooling.

[fishnu]

I have a problem.

I purchased a cheap thermometer on the way home tonight to make it easier to read my temp. I plugged it in and my temp read 83.7. I have put a cooler in to bring the temp down but need some quick advice.


Background

I have a Ranco controller driving my heaters. I used it to keep my rocks warm during the winter. At one point the sensor failed and I ordered a new one from Ranco. I cut the old sensor off at the end and spliced the new one in.

I have been using the Ranco to drive the heaters on my tank at 79-80. It's been warm and the temp has been 79-80 without much heating.

Today I stopped off at a store and bought a cheap thermometer and dropped it in and it went nuts.....83.7. My Ranco said 81. Both are too high but I did not have the chiller connected.

I turned off the lights, dragged the chiller upstairs and dropped the coil in the DT, set the Ranco to chill to 79.

1) I am thinking that the splice I did has too much resistance and was artificially deflating the Ranco temperature leading to the difference between the Ranco and the drop in thermometer. Do you agree?

2) How fast should I bring the temp down?

[Dentoid]

Cheap thermometer could=cheap readings.

[fishnu]

I agree.. If I had one number I would know what to believe. I have 2....should I believe a controller with a manual spliced sensor a a drop in ToM Aquarium Temp Alert????

Either way, what degree per 6 hour reduction ?

[PEMfish]

I would say 6. One degree drop per hour if it is not extreamly high and purposely humanly induced, although you can double that and still have a cushion.

[goldenmean]

Looks like you need another thermometer to break the tie.

83.7 is high but it is not that bad.
Ocean temps often reach that temp in shallow waters.
Id try lowering it a degree or two tonight.
Then buy another thermometer at the Frag meet tomorrow and see where you need to go from there.

[fishnu]

Originally Posted by goldenmean

Looks like you need another thermometer to break the tie.

83.7 could be Fiji in summer.

However, I am more concerned about the lack of precision here. What is this, ISO 9000BC?

I suspected I screwed up the splice. However this tom Therm. gets bad reviews.

I will look for a pinpoint tomorrow. In the meantime I will bring the temp down 1-2 degrees and let it settle.

This would not have been a big deal except that I put my first coral - a zoa- in the tank today and I did not want to kill it the first day.

John

[PEMfish]

Don't mention that meet, makes me darn jealous.

[Dentoid]

I wouldn't worry about that temperature either. As long as it is stable you have nothing to worry about.

[fishnu]

Originally Posted by PEMfish

Don't mention that meet, makes me darn jealous.

Paul, you live closer than I. Why aren't you going?

Thanks Scott. This is only a one stage controller. I need a better controller.

I will watch tonite and adjust as necessary.

Killing my first coral would be an inauspicious start.

[SJS]

I have several thermometers - all register different temps. I would second the - consistency is more important as long as you are within an acceptable temp range.