Heater / fan control

[stubbsz]

OK. So I just realized that my heater was coming on keeping my tank at 83. Blah... I knew it wasn't that hot in the house.

Anyway, keeping in mind it's California, and not having a heater is an option. I want a reliable heater, short (a foot or less hopefully ),that can submerse completely laying in my sump and will not lose its markings so I can see what it's set at. I really just need it to kick in occasionally in the winter.

Also, is there an affordable way to turn my fans on as the temp rises rather than on a timer.
-Adrian

 

[sfsuphysics]

Personally, I would go with a temperature controller, that way if the heater fails the temperature controller can catch it and simply shut off the power completely.

 

[dots]

People commonly use two smaller heaters as well.

 

[northbay-reefer]

Smart heater is ok, but a "Dual" temp controller is much better

 

[stubbsz]

Any temp controller recommendations?

And back to the original question. Any reliable, copmpletely submergable, less than a foot long heaters out there?

-ADrian

 

[zivic2play]

Why not get a titanium heater? Not sure of your wattage requirements but most are under 12" in length.

 

[Unarce]

The least expensive way would be an Aqua Logic single-stage temp controller. They are extremely reliable, and the device is water-proof.

You can also go all out with a Neptune or Octopus controller to monitor your whole tank.

IME, the most reliable heaters have been the MarineLand line for me. I rarely have to buy a replacement, and have gone 11 years on one Visi-Therm. The Stealth is my personal favorite

 

[raddogz]

I like the Ebo heaters back when it was Ebo Jager.

I guess it all depends on how big the tank is as well. You don't need to buy and over-sized heater for a small tank.

I have one of those Pro-Heat titanium heaters in my tank at work (155g). The temp know is really loose so if accidently brush up against it could too hot or really cool pretty quickly.

One time, the heating element melted half way into the skimmer body. The heating element was accidently touching the skimmer body and resting up against it.

 

[slojmn]

I swear by my Ranco dual stage controller. It turns the heater on when the temp hits a certain low and shuts it off when it hits a certain high, then it turns the fans on when the temp gets to another high set point. This keeps my tank in a pre-set range really well and conserves on energy, those heaters suck up a lot of watts.

 

[Unarce]

Aileen - Yes the Ebos were unbelievably reliable and accurate before the Eheim merger

Alicia - I've heard good things about the Ranco controller, too. Is there any difference between the Aqua Logic, Aquanetics, and Ranco controllers? They all look the same.

 

[Dyngoe]

I use a Titanium heater with no controller and it's accurate to .2 degrees. Never fails and never over heats the tank. I also have an extra stealth heater in case it fails, but it never does.

 

[northbay-reefer]

I second the Aqua Logic single-stage temp controller, you can also buy the dual so latter if you get a chiller you dont have to replace the controller

 

[stubbsz]

Well I'm cheap so I'm going with two visi-therm stealths... You had me at "stealth"

I have a 100G by the way which I neglected to say. I got 2 100watters. They at least fit comfortably in my sump and I figure in CA they will do enough and if one goes Awol, it wont be able to get the temp to high before I notice.

If I can sell my CA reactor/ph controller, I might be able to buy a fancier controller with the proceeds.... given up on the CA reactor now that I'm making my own 2 part and having MUCH more success with the ALK/CA balance than before.

Thanks for all the input.
-Adrian

 

[Dyngoe]

Hey all,

I'm in the process of building a cheap evaporative cooling controller. You can read my DIY thread here:
www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1127852

 

[stubbsz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10077031#post10077031 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Unarce
Aileen - Yes the Ebos were unbelievably reliable and accurate before the Eheim merger

That was the heater I used to have before I broke it during a sneezing fit.... yeah really; That lasted years. The replacement (post-merger) is the one that went "pear shaped"/"T1t5 up"