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I just bought a Rena Smartheater. All of the bells and whistles are working fine, just one weird problem.

I have the temperature dial set at 75 degrees. And I have the heater very close to the current from the filter. Still, my thermometer is reading 70 degrees. Is the thermometer the stupid one, or is it the heater? Granted, it's one of those cheap thermometers from walmart. If I take it out however, and squeeze it in my hand, the temperature starts going up immediately. In other words, it seems to me that it's pretty easy to trick the thermometer.

So, should I turn the dial up some to make it do it's job better, or assume my thermometer sucks? Anyone know of any more accurate thermometers?

Edit: It's a 55 gallon, but, because I don't have an ATBA and to avoid Hurricane's occasional puffy eye problem, I keep the water level at about 35 gallons, so that they aren't too close to their lights. The wattage on my heater is 100, which is appropriate for 35 gallons.

Is the thermometer near the filter and heater or on the opposite end?

Haha, you named your turtle hurricane too.
But if your thermometer is on the other side of the tank then it'll probably read the water that's cooled off. If it's next to the heater then it's probably either then thermometer or the heater's problem. Built in heater thermometer aren't very accurate, sometimes it goes up or down 1-3 degrees. I would suggest getting a digital thermometer at a local pet store for like 5 dollars each.

I have a 200 watt smartheater in my 55 gal with about the same total number of gallons. My heater is below the spray bar and the probe for my digital thermometer is on the other side likely around two feet away. The heater is set to 78 and the thermometer always reads within 1 degree of that sometimes 1 and a half. Is try upgrading your thermo first to a digital version and see if you get a closer reading. If you don't then you've determined its the heater at which point is return it and get a 200 watt for when you eventually utilize the full volume of the tank. I've found rena to make great products though that's doesn't mean you didn't get a dud. Try troubleshooting your thermometer and go from there.

steve wrote:Is the thermometer near the filter and heater or on the opposite end?

Opposite end...

Do you think maybe the water isn't being heated evenly?

It's probably heated unevenly. Try putting it in the center of your tank or something.

I'm gonna move it near the heater, and see what kind of reading I get. If it's the same, then, I know the thermometer is bunk, and that a digital will be better.

It's hard to say, but I wouldn't get another digital aquarium thermometer... an infrared temp gun works pretty well.

do u have a glass thermo ...when they get old the stuff dries and sticks at 70

steve wrote:It's hard to say, but I wouldn't get another digital aquarium thermometer... an infrared temp gun works pretty well.

It's definitely the thermometer. I know cause the temperature in the tank went up a bit, and the thermometer didn't read it. Yeah, the thermometer is bunk. I know ya'll say not to use your hands to feel the temp. of the water, but I think I know what sorta warm and way more warm feels like, lol XD

This thermometer is not a digital... It's a glass one, like corey's.

That infrared temp gun sounds good Steve, thanks. Do you know where to get it, and how much it might cost?

It's about $20. You can find them at hobby or automotive stores.

steve wrote:It's about $20. You can find them at hobby or automotive stores.

Wow, nice! Thanks Steve ^___^