Pet Forum / Aquaria / Goldfish / September 2007

Hi,

     First,  could you recommend a good aquarium heater?  I've used 2
different ones:  one made by Cascade and the other by Tetra (Whisper).
Are these brands reliable, or are there better ones.?
    Secondly, I've got 3 different thermometers.  They are all cheap
ones.  2 float inside the tank and one attaches to the outside.   All
3 read different temps, and I have been averaging them.  (They vary by
a total of about 4-5 degrees.)
    Can you recommend a good,  accurate thermometer?

     I plan to put Goldie back into the big tank in a couple days,
and I want a heater and thermometer that I can trust.  Also, I have a
house that can change temp rather quickly, especially when I have the
furnace off.  Are any of the hearters better at dealing with changes
in room temp of 60-80 degrees over a 24-hour period?  (We are now into
fall and the temp can change from 60 at night to 80-85 during the
day.)  Should I get an over-sized heater?  (one  for 60 gallons
instead of 30?)

    Thanks for your  continuing advice throughout  the past month.

       Dave123