auto feeder and thermometer suggestions

[thekarens]

I need some suggestions on preferably cheap auto feeders and digital thermometer. They have to work well, but the less expensive the better. My eyes just aren't enjoying the old fashioned mercury thermometer.

[eklikewhoa]

Go with the Eheim Air automatic feeders.... the most dependable one I have seen and through a dependable name.

As for digital thermometers.... look into pinpoint, hanna, etc. if you want dependable. Now if you are looking for a cheap digital thermometer that is accurate withing 10 degrees then any cheap digital thermo will do but I find the wrist against the tank glass is much more accurate.

[thekarens]

These are my baby discus so they need accurate within a couple of degrees :(

[szidlon]

I use the Coralife digital thermometers, they are relatively inexpensive and having several, they all show about the same temp, no more than .5 degrees difference between them.

For auto feeders, if I have to use them I also go with the Eheim digital. I have at least one new, unused one around here somewhere. They aren't cheap, but worth the investment as they are dependable and pretty resilient.

[eklikewhoa]

I at one point had about 10 of the coralife digitals and when placed all in the same tank there was about 10 and some even 15deg difference.

For the eheim feeders hit up Dan @ HAW, he had some dirt cheap last time I was there!

[tbui1178]

+1 on the eheim feeder.

[thekarens]

Would a stick on the glass be just as accurate?

[eklikewhoa]

As accurate as the digitals?

[thekarens]

Basically I need something that's going to be accurate within a few degrees whether it be digital or otherwise. It just needs to be something I can read easily.

[eklikewhoa]

Pick your poison.

[thekarens]

Hmpf, you're no help!

[eklikewhoa]

Well I just warned you that they are not accurate and it's usually hit or miss with them. Some work some don't, One person's greatest purchase is anothers wasted money.

I ran the ReefKeeper2 on my 30g and had various thermometers including the glass ones and between the lab grade temp probe on the RK2 and all the glass and digital ones I favored the RK2's readings and that was far from what the others were giving me.

I have two glass ones in my saltwater tank and there is a 4deg difference between the two and they are sitting right next to each other.

[thekarens]

Fine fine fine!!! :)