Hello I have a question about my new tropical fish tank.

It's only a 23 litre fluval edge tank and I have bought a marina 25watt submersible heater.

The heater has no controls on it as it automatically maintains temperature at 26 degrees.

The question is this do I need a thermometer? Its just if the heater is automatically doing it and because I can't adjust the temperature do I really need a thermometer?

Yes you do need one, they're only a few pounds in pets at home. If your heater ever breaks like mine did you will know from the thermometer. Mine broke one day and the temp went right down so I knew.

Btw what are you keeping in your 23 litre? You can't keep much at all in that size tank. I have several tanks and some that sie for a single betta fish.

Also did you read up and cycle your tank first? If not and you have fish in there they will die.

It's always best to get a thermometer just so you know the heater is working properly. You have the right size heater for the tank but you do need to monitor temperature. It's a good idea to get a second heater as back up just in case the first one stops working. Hope this helps.

I've gone from a 200 litre tank to a 23 litre tank! Yeah I know about cycles etc, I only have 2 fish in the big tank and it was taking up too much space so wanted to downgrade.

In my big tank I have an adjustable heater plus a stick on thermometer, it's just with the new tank heater being automatic i didn't know if I should buy a new thermometer.

I have put all the required water conditioners and tank prep stuff in, just giving it a week or two before I transfer my 2 fish across.

So I'll go and get myself the smallest thermometer that I can find!

The Fluval Edge digital thermometer is only about £1.50 and they work well.

I'll have to have a look at that.

I'm wondering if I can place the thermometer in the filter tank? It has 2 resevoirs one where the water gets sucked in about 2 inches deep and the other has the filter media in it.

I just want to hide the thermometer if I can.

No dont put it in the filter it wont reflect the temperature of the tank just the temp in the filter which will be different. If you want to hide it put it round the side.

http://www.ukpetsupplies.com/product...al_thermometer

Here you go. Its quite small and discrete anyway

Ive decided to get a normal thermometer from wilkinsons £1.50. Just been on to the phone to my personal shopper (my other half) and its about 10cm in length I'll stick it on the inside on the back, where hopefully you won't see it.

http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/aquariu...TP10M5dg%3D%3D

I don't think you can go wrong with a good old fashioned thermometer.

Thanks for the advice!

They're as good as anything. Can't beat a bit of old school

i was going to recommend the wilkos thermometers, they're the ones i use

the suction cups stop working over time though, which is a shame, but they're cheap enough to replace, or i just leave mine floating

i use the old ones to match the temperature at water changes so they all have their uses

I use the Wilko ones too as they're accurate and cheaper than the same type in aquarium shops!