AquaController Jr Questions

[jstlsn]

After reading through 29 pages of search results I still have a few questions about the AquaController Jr. The main reason for the controller is to control my temperature. I am having a lot of trouble keeping my aquarium a constant temp.

My first question is about heaters. My understanding is that you plug a heater into the controller and set it up to turn the heater on if the aquarium drops below a specific temperature. What type of heaters are used? I currently have a Visi-Therm heater and I just don't understand the thermostat. My temp was 75.8 last night and I adjusted the thermostat on the heater 86 because I couldn't get the tank to warm up. And the heater would just turn on for a few minutes and then off for a few minutes, but never raise the temperature of the tank. The other Visi-Therm Heater that I have does the same thing. So, if I plug the heater into the AquaController and the temperature falls below the minimum temperature, the AquaController will turn on the heater, but what makes sure that the heater is actually on? Just because there is power doesn't mean it is heating the water. Are there heaters that are designed for controllers that don't have their own thermostat?

Second question. I currently have my main pump and my heater plugged into a APC. I don't want to have to have everything plugged into the AquaController also plugged into the APC. Can I hook most of my stuff to the DC8 and plug that right into my GFCI and hook my heater to a DC4? Then plug the DC4 into the APC along with the AquaController? Will no power to the DC8 still allow the AquaController to run the heater on the DC4?

Third question. Will my PinPoint pH probe work with the AquaController Jr? I remember reading that is would in another post, but I want to double check.

Final question. Is there any reason I should consider the ReefKeeper 2 instead of the AquaController Jr, other than the cool blue background light.

Thanks
Brad

 

[Bergovoy]

On the heaters I have seen, the calibration is off badly. I dont bother looking at that scale. what I do is adjust the heater controller until in clicks on and clicks off. That is the current temp, (whatever it says).

You should get a seperate thermometer to check the temperature.

If that thermometer is low, then turn teh heater controller up a little bit until the light stays on. And let set for a bit. Then check the temp again on teh thermometer. And repeat slowly.

Good luck

Bill

 

[gabe3d]

1. Most of the time ppl will use a heater that does not have a temp controller in them. Meaning it will be on all the time as long as you plug it in. That is what i use. Originally i wanted to have a "just in case" plan so i used two ebo jagers and set them to turn off at 84. But after a while the ebojagers wouldn't turn on and off at the correct temp so i ditched it and used my Azoo silica heating rod. Hopefully my Aquacontroller doesn't fail and boil my tank.

2. An aquacontroller jr can control both a DC8 and DC4 at the same time, if that is your question. Then it is up to you as to how you provide power to each of them.

 

[James77]

3. yes your pinpoint probe will work with the AC Jr