I dodged another bullet

S

shaneh

New member
so I got home last night form work around 6:00pm and all the lights are out the pumps are still running but the reef keeper 2 says temp 101.2 degrees and is bouncing around a bit....after looking at my battery controlled temp. It's 75.5. So I unplugged the temp probe and plugged back in, same story. I left it unplugged for an hour and then back in and now it is back to normal. I looked on the digital aquatic web site and they say they only last 1-2 years I'm at 1 1/2 years. I guess I need to get a new one before I have any more problems....anyone else with digital aquatic temps have this happen?

PS: no fish or corals were injured=)
 
I have heard of various controllers having issues with temp regulation which is why im sticking with the ranco temp controller. My coralife temp gauge is also inaccurate as well. The ranco does a good job keeping things regulated.
 
I typically rely on the Ranco's as well, but there is one simple test I'd recommend everyone run on their temp controllers, that I'd wished I had known about prior to cooking my tank: Cut the power to the temp controller. When you plug it back in, double check that the temperature settings have not changed....
I had a ranco that when the power went out, apparently had some sort of firmware problem and when it came back on, it reset the temp settings to 220 degrees. I caught it when the tank hit 90 and the glow of white coral skeletons alerted me.
 
just wondering wouldn't the heaters shut off by themselves if they were set to a certain temp say 75-76? That is the good thing that happened with mine with the temp going crazy when I unplugged the temp probe the heaters power came on auto. I have them set at 76 degrees. So if it came unplugged it’s still be OK.
 
shaneh said:
just wondering wouldn't the heaters shut off by themselves if they were set to a certain temp say 75-76? That is the good thing that happened with mine with the temp going crazy when I unplugged the temp probe the heaters power came on auto. I have them set at 76 degrees. So if it came unplugged it's still be OK.
Click to expand...

In theory, yes. In reality, heater temp guages are thoroughly unreliable. At the time of my tank cooking, I had a titanium heater without a built in guage(long story), though I suggest, as you mentioned, using a heater with a built in guage set just slightly higher than the normal operating temp of the tank, controlled by your ranco or tank controller. Just make sure to calibrate the heater first, as I've yet to find one that matches my other various temp guages.
 
FWIW the black heat shrink Ranco probe is not water proof. It may last a long time, but it is not rated for being water proof.
 
GreshamH said:
FWIW the black heat shrink Ranco probe is not water proof. It may last a long time, but it is not rated for being water proof.
Click to expand...

Do you mean it is not water proof even when Covered in plastic? Maybe that should be replaced once in a while to maintain water proof?
 
jedheuer said:
Do you mean it is not water proof even when Covered in plastic? Maybe that should be replaced once in a while to maintain water proof?
Click to expand...

As per Ranco Controls instructions, and knowing a few that have failed, the probe that is only covered in black heat shrink is not meant to be submersed in water.

ranco_etc.jpg



The above is a Ranco ETC model with the non submersible probe.

Note: The manufacturer does not recommend the sensor be directly submersed in liquids. They recommend using a thermal well (bulb well) to protect the sensor.
Click to expand...

http://www.etcsupply.com/manuals/ranco_etc_instructions.pdf
 
above is correct. That probe needs to be covered in plastic to be water proof.

thanks for the clarification.
 
All their probes come covered in plastic (for use in humid environments) and are not rated for submersion. Some aquarium companies use a length of vinyl tubing sealed at the end to cover it. I've used that method, well covers and test tubes. All worked the same.
 
Shane,

Not sure exactly what went on but when I bought my RKL I had many initial problems with the probe. I found a forum under the company name and posted to the moderator(a RK employee) and he answered all my questions and eventually sent me a new probe and walked me through recalibration which fixed the problem for good. LMK if you need the forum and I will send it to you...
 
I have had the same issue, however, I have the heater set with a max temp as well, so when the probe fails, it will not go past 80 to 82 or so.
the way I can really tell, is I have my lights set to shut down if the temp gets past a certain point, can't remember what that is offhand. Last time it happened, I noticed the lights shutting down, and starting back up, checked the temp and it was all over the board. Now I keep a spare on hand. However, the tank was never really heating up.
 
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