Heater Stuck again, considering a Controller

[goreefer]

For the second time in 6 months my heater stuck on again. This is not the same one that stuck last time. Yesterday morning my tank was at 96.5 degrees. I believe that I have lost 3 acros and a six line wrass. Big bummer.... I put both of the heaters in the trash...
I am considering buying one of the controllers that is offered in our hobby.

Reefkeeper?
AC?

What do you use and how do you like it.

 

[michaeldaly]

A much cheaper option would be to buy a thermostat and plug the heater into that.

 

[drummereef]

I love my ACjr. Honestly, I won't run another reef without a controller. They are awesome.

 

[Craig Lambert]

Cheap insurance:

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_controllers_aqua_logic.asp?CartId=

 

[r00onmac]

my insurance policy is several small heaters.. on my ~55 gallon water volume i have 2x 75 watt heaters... this way if one gets stuck on it may raise the temp only 1 or 2 degrees, because its not powerful enough to heat the system by itself.

odds are two + heaters wont stick on at the same time without you noticing at least one first...

 

[goreefer]

I was using one 100 watt heater on my 29. I'm not sure that using two 50 watters that would have had prevented the situation.
That is why I'm considering a controller. I could also use it to control the lights, power heads, etc..
A thermostat would work, but the price difference isn't that substantial for a ACjr.
Are there economical thermostats out there that anyone uses?

 

[r00onmac]

if you want to buy a controller - go right ahead... id love to get one but i just cant afford it.

For a cheap solution i say go ahead and get 3x 25 watt heaters... or a 50 and a 25... also, using a high quality heater is good. i use the Stealth heaters and they are pretty accurate from +/-1 degree

 

[revance]

A couple ideas:

Buy one of these and plug your heater into it. Set your heater thermostat to be slightly above your desired temp, and set this thermostat to be the desired temp. Makes a decent backup for overheating.

analogue
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...duct_Code=FI-HC-0800&Category_Code=Finnexheat
digital
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...duct_Code=FI-HC-0810&Category_Code=Finnexheat

-or-

You might check the classifieds for an Aquacontroller Jr.

You can get a good deal on a Jr. (I have seen them for $75-80) and just buy the single outlet DirectConnect expansion for $40 and have yourself a single stage temp controller that can also monitor pH and log the parameters for about $120.

Ends up being cheaper than a Ranco, has some extra features, and can be expanded upon to control other stuff.

 

[Satori]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9279866#post9279866 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
I love my ACjr. Honestly, I won't run another reef without a controller. They are awesome.

Took the words right out of my mouth!

The stuck heater scenario is only one advantage. Mine runs all my pumps, ca reactor, skimmer, lights. Even the swamp cooler for the house. If the chiller fails and the temp keeps rising, the controller starts shutting down lights in .1 degree increments, then the CL pump, then the skimmer pump.

 

[goreefer]

I'm thinking that since I only need to raise my temp a few degrees that a lower watt heater should do the job. I have five power heads in the system that will keep my tank at about 73 degrees. I may also add another power head and see if that will bring the temp up to my targeted 78 degrees.

Yea those controllers are pricey, I just need to see if I can afford one.

 

[Satori]

I got my AC JR with a DC-8 in a package deal for $149 new.
Check the RC for sale forum, there are cheap used ones.

 

[jimwat]

FWIW, the temperature probe on a controller can go bad as well. I just had to replace the probe on my AC3. In my case the temp was reading about 15 degrees too high, so it just caused my fans to stay on all of the time. No big deal (tank temp dropped down to 76 overnight). I have the temp on my heater set just sightly above where the controller would normally turn it off (just in case). Anyway, I feel pretty safe that both heater controls will not fail at the same time, but you never can know for sure...

BTW - I like the multiple low watt heater approach as a low cost solution.