Thermometer Question With Pictures ... Please Any Advice Is Welcome And Invited

[XxPandaxX]

I have 2 thermometers. One from PetSmart that I got with a hygrometer, and one from Meijer. The Meijer one is for fish and has metal spheres on the bottom (it's in a glass tube) that have solid mercury (yeah solid! At least I think mercury. It's red, so.. I'm guessing YES.) and the thermometer scale is on top of that. I had it under the heat lamp for a test run, so no worries no eggs were in there) and the metal balls got really hot and the temp said 120. Could that just be the metal overheating...? And the other thermometer from pet smart is from the company "all living things". It has no mercury. Here are pics.






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Here's the first one. From PetSmart. The bottom has a little orange-yellow crusty stuff that I guess is what's telling the temperature. It looks pretty accurate to me... This came in a pack with a hygrometer for 12 dollars.



Here's the second one from Meijer. It was in the "Pets" aisle, not anything special and judging for the fish on the packaging it was meant for fish. Why would it be in a glass tube if not for water? Another BYCer advised this, but I dunno. The spheres at the bottom could easily overheat and send the temperature FLYING. Was only 2-3 bucks... Which do you think is more accurate? I put them both DIRECTLY under the light. The other one stayed consistent and this one gave me the same temp for a bit then it got higher. I'm thinking the other one... What do YOU think? Also the fish one gives a consistent reading when it's not under the light. Like in different parts of the incubator.

 

[GAQuail]

I don't think either one is suitable for an incubator. The "AcuRite Digital Humidity and Temperature Monitor" from Wal-Mart which sales for $9.00 would be a better choice.

 

[XxPandaxX]

or really ? It was made for hot temperatures (reptile tanks.) and is giving me a consistent reading... what's wrong with it ? I'll check that out tomorrow at Wal-Mart. 2 in 1 !

 

[fried green eggs]

I have used the Petsmart Thermometer and Hygrometer you have for incubating with great success. You will need to calibrate them so here is a link on how to do it. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/577008/calibrating-thermometers-and-hygrometers I also have 2 digital thermometer/hygrometer with probe made for incubating that needed to be calibrated to get a accurate reading from it too. The Meijer one is junk .- imho Good Luck!

 

[XxPandaxX]

OH YAYA. Greetings fellow Michiganite !!

"greetings"... I'm such a nerd. Bless you :x for the calibration thing. I needed that

 

[GAQuail]

or really ? It was made for hot temperatures (reptile tanks.) and is giving me a consistent reading... what's wrong with it ? I'll check that out tomorrow at Wal-Mart. 2 in 1 !

The one from Pets Mart received terrible reviews from their website. Out of 7 reviews it only received 1 out of 5 stars. Most reviewers said it was inaccurate and difficult to read. The other one is for aquarium water not air. That can make a difference. It is also alcohol based not mercury.. Cheap alcohol based thermometers are rarely accurate. The one I suggested is easy to read and fairly accurate. You can find better thermometers that are designed exclusively for incubators in the $15-25 range online.

 

[fried green eggs]

OH YAYA. Greetings fellow Michiganite !!

"greetings"... I'm such a nerd. Bless you :x for the calibration thing. I needed that

Greeting & Hope you have a Great Hatch!
Even the ones designed for incubating and cost $20 + on line are not all accurate

I bought 2 of the Digital Thermometer Hydrometers with Min/Max Memory & Remote Probe from Incubator Warehouse.com off eBay and after I calibrated them neither are accurate. I called the company to ask if there way a way to re-set or correct and the rep said I could send it back for a replacement but, I would have to pay shipping. I didn't bother I just put a sticker on each with - __ or +__ so I remember to adjust what it is saying for temp & humidity. I think you should calibrate all of them just to be safe.

The one from Pets Mart received terrible reviews from their website. Out of 7 reviews it only received 1 out of 5 stars. Most reviewers said it was inaccurate and difficult to read. The other one is for aquarium water not air. That can make a difference. It is also alcohol based not mercury.. Cheap alcohol based thermometers are rarely accurate. The one I suggested is easy to read and fairly accurate. You can find better thermometers that are designed exclusively for incubators in the $15-25 range online.

 

[XxPandaxX]

I tested the hygrometer- 6% off. Humidity is A okay ! That means about 55% humidity. For lockdown I'll add a bit more water. The TEMPERATURE... I tried an ice test today but it changes so fast I wasn't sure... one time I thought it read 8 off, then 6, then 4, then zero ! I'm gonna have to try again later.. how long do I leave it in there to get a good reading ?

 

[fried green eggs]

I'm not sure how long. I didn't do the ice test on mine. I put a brooder mercury thermometer, a small room mercury thermometer, the two digital thermometers/hygrometers and the petsmart thermometer all on the counter next to the incubator and left them sit for a day. I checked what they read at different times during the day. They all stayed consistent. Petsmart one always matched the two mercury ones & digital ones always just a bit off.

Once you are done calibrating thermometer(s) you should check if your temp in the incubator is consistent too. Put one where eggs will be and one closes to the heat source. Lower temp will slow down incubation and make hatch be a day or two late but, too hot can kill eggs. 99.5 is ideal but + or - a degree will mean a day early or a day late for hatch.

 

[XxPandaxX]

I think mine will be TWO days early.. I haven't calibrated the thermometer yet, but it always gives me a consistent 100 degrees F.