Penn-Plax Therma-Temp Floating Aquarium Thermometer

Curated from 53 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: December 28, 2024

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Penn-Plax Therma-Temp Floating Aquarium Thermometer

Brand: Penn-Plax
Price: $8
Snoop Score:
4.6
Sentiment
4.3
Popularity
2.7
Technical
5.0
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Snoop's Take

The Penn-Plax Therma-Temp Floating Aquarium Thermometer is a mercury-free device engineered to float effortlessly in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. It provides quick temperature readings using a colored liquid indicator that pools at the bottom when placed vertically. Community feedback is as divided as one would expect from a product with a delicate design. Some users note that, "Even if it's not super accurate, it's more than accurate enough to know at a glance if your heater broke and your $1400 worth of tropical fish are about to die," while others bemoan its inconsistent precision and hard-to-read display. The reviewers are candid, with several advising proper central placement for optimal accuracy, yet cautioning against its fragile glass construction. This mixture of enthusiastic tips and stern warnings encapsulates the product's polarizing nature. In conclusion, if you’re willing to follow the setup guidelines and accept its minor flaws, this thermometer can serve your aquarium monitoring needs. However, for those who demand top-notch precision and durability, it might be wise to consider alternatives in the competitive thermometer market.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Aquarium Thermometers

just make sure to set it up near the center of the aquarium so it gets an accurate temperature

Positive Feedback

I’ve never found them to be particularly consistent or helpful, myself.

Negative Feedback
Product
4.6
Penn-Plax Therma-Temp Floating Aquarium Thermometer
Buy on Amazon for $8
Fish Health Monitoring
6 / 10
Aquarium Maintenance
5 / 10
Easy Installation
6 / 10
Versatile Aquatic Environments
5 / 10
See how this compares to all Aquarium Thermometers

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Reliable and accurate temperature monitoring when properly placed
“just make sure to set it up near the center of the aquarium so it gets an accurate temperature”➕
“Even if it's not super accurate, it's more than accurate enough to know at a glance if your heater broke and your $1400 worth of tropical fish are about to die.”➕
“I've had mine for years, and it works great.”➕

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Poor precision and hard-to-read display
“I’ve never found them to be particularly consistent or helpful, myself.”➕
“Yup... They're really not that great. Not very precise and hard to read.”➕
“I just wouldn’t install it and get a real thermometer.”➕

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Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Heater display features appreciated
“I personally tend to use two, though, because if they're different I know something is wrong.”➕
General discussion on thermometer usage for aquariums
“Works much better than the IR readers.”➕
“I use this thermometer, but first I pour the water into a container.”➕
“Works really well and I don't have to take the thermometer from the tank to the sink.”➕

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Alternative non-device temperature estimation methods
“I use the back of my hand and judge. It doesn’t need to be perfect.”➕

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
General discussion on thermometer types, calibration, and usage
“so should I just buy a regular mercury glass thermometer? like a basic one?”➕
“Public warning: do not use mercury thermometers in your aquarium. Or your mouth.”➕
“You should consider digital. Basically the same price and gives a temp within .5 of a degree.”➕
“oh wow that would be good to prevent shok even thanks for the intel”➕
Inexpensive thermometer accuracy limitations and alternative solutions
“Look into inkbird controller also good if your heater freaks out.”➕
“Even a pricier one will probably run you less than 4 tank thermometers.”➕
“There is a lot of ado about nothing regarding topics like temperature and pH.”➕
“All of them work, showing some temperature, but how far it is from actual temperature in the tank, vary from each of them.”➕
Filter media setup affects cleaning performance
“What did you put in the trays? That matters.”➕
Power outage preparedness and equipment backup
“I found one that is close, but it uses regular batteries and doesn’t recharge the batteries when power is on.”➕
“They run off D cell batteries which may be a better choice for extended power outages since you can stockpile batteries and keep it running indefinately.”➕
“Not that I recommend it, but it's not the end of the world (going by my experience).”➕
Turtle feeding recommendations
“7 pellets seems low, typically you want to estimate how many would fit in their head if it were hollow.”➕
“My ASN loves night crawlers.”➕

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Heater reliability and safety issues
“Not doing so is rolling the dice on any system.”➕
“Ive found that you get what you pay for and I replace every few years.”➕

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