Recommended heater controller

davidpesce

davidpesce

New member
I went from having the heaters with built in sensors/controllers, to the titanium ones with built in controllers, to a remote controller.

My latest controller (HC-810M: Finnex Digital Temperature Heater Controller) has died after less than a month. I smelled burning plastic and went to touch the controller and burnt my hand. Toast. I'm going to exchange it for another, but are there any recommendations for something more reliable?
 
The Ronco controller has given me about 4 yrs years of continuous reliable service so far.
Your not the first I've heard of with Finnex troubles.
 
I don't know much about controllers that are heater specific, but I will say that I have had good luck with the Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper Lite. It's inexpensive and expandable, but most important, it controls fans as well as heaters, so I can keep really consistent temperatures, even in Summer.
 
davidpesce said:
I've thought of it, but have heard varying satisfaction with each brand. I'm figuring individually specialized products will work better than an all in one.
Click to expand...
simply put: wrong.

With an aquarium controller you can program failsafe programs, redundancy programs etc.

With certain aquarium controllers you can set up alerts for your cell phone, internet etc.

Additionally, aquarium controllers can do a whole heckuva lot more than control a couple of heaters making their cost easily justifiable.
(What's a good Ranco, Milwaukee or Medusa cost nowadays?)

This is a huge no brainer IMO. Start researching aquarium controllers.
 
I agree with gary. I'm more amazed with the amount of things I can do with my rkl. Basic setup starts around $100. Not bad and you can always add on more features.

Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk
 
I purchased my aquarium controller instead of a single dedicated pH controller.
I'm gald that I did.

Not only can I program it to control pH, but it controls my heaters.

I also have a heater failsafe program put into it.

Additionally, if all else fails and the aquarium gets too hot the controller is programmed to shut down my lighting starting with halides.

I can also program the aquarium controller to kick on a fan or chiller.... but I haven't had the need yet.
 
I purchased an "entry level" model: the Neptune ACjr (Aqua controller junior).
Neptune has good customer service.

There are controllers that have more features than the ACjr, but I don't need more features than I already have.

One drawback to controllers: they can be daunting to program at first.
I've got the ACjr figured out but we have a controller for our swimming pool that I'm still trying to figure it out.

Another nice thing about all of these controllers- they memorize settings and keep track of time even if the power goes out.

FWIW the water temperature on an ACjr is constantly displayed to the tenth of a degree (right now mine's reading 80.7 degrees F) and I have the controller velcro'd to the wall next to my aquarium for easy viewing.
I can also see pH at a quick glance as well as what outlets are switched on and off.
 
Those who don't own an aquarium controller don't know what they're missing out on! Then again, I like things somewhat automated so I can spend more time enjoying the reef as opposed to worrying about it. Deciding on what type of controller to purchase is simply personal preference. I have owned both a Neptune AC Jr. and Apex and have had great experiences with both, especially when it comes to support. Neptune has a lot of <strike><span style="text-decoration: line-through;">fanboys</span></strike> programming experts hanging around the Neptune forum to offer help to fellow hobbyists. Then again, if you are only looking for temperature control and a few light timers, the Reefkeeper Lite is a nice starter package for around $100.

Either way, it's definitively something to look into... Rankos and the like are quickly becoming outdated because for around the same price you can have so much more. JMO
 
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Hi jon, So halides/vhos and heater controllers are outdated,hmm.:frog:
I know I'm old but feeling older now.:fun2: My wife bought a gps a year ago and left it for me to program. Needless to say it's still in the box.Techie stuff just isn't what I enjoy. Corals are.:bounce3:
 
tmz said:
Hi jon, So halides/vhos and heater controllers are outdated,hmm.:frog:
I know I'm old but feeling older now.:fun2: My wife bought a gps a year ago and left it for me to program. Needless to say it's still in the box.Techie stuff just isn't what I enjoy. Corals are.:bounce3:
Click to expand...

Don't feel bad, I'm in high-tech job field and love new tech. Just don't see a need (right now) for an aquarium controller. I only need to control my heater. Everything else is automated for me. Plus I tend to like specialized products. Rather not have one system that says it can do everything... it's rarely the case. I could be wrong tho, I'll do some further research and see if it's worth the $$ and time.

If I do go with an aquarium controller, I'll probably DIY it.
 
Neptune AC jr has worked great for me. Lights, dosing pumps and heaters are all controlled via my dc8. I can control via the internet through my droid. I'm on the road quite a bit and love to be able to look in on the tank.
 
I want to upgrade as soon as I can,but IMO anything under $400.00 controller isn't even worth it..

You can go spend $150-200.00 on a AC jr system,but it is already outdated when get it..You find yourself shopping for a better system soon after..kicking your-self in the butt for buying the starter version in the first place
 
A Ranco or Johnson A419 is all I will ever trust for heating or cooling. IMO None of the aquarium controllers are robust enough for this critical level of control. The relays in DC4/8, profilux, Apex, or any of the standard heater controllers just don't have the cycle life and reliability of an commercial/industrial controller.

How many people have a DC4/8 relay that's stuck or won't work?

Redundant heaters are also a good thought that way if one does stick you've got twice as much time to realize something is up. I've got (2) 500W heaters in my system and one is just barely enough to keep up, but if it sticks or fails I've got plenty of time to figure it out.
 
The thing that scares me about aquarium controllers is if something goes haywire, EVERYTHING goes wrong. I like as little automation as possible...but that's just me.
 
Redundant heaters are also a good thought that way if one does stick you've got twice as much time to realize something is up

I use 4 250s. I set the heater thermostats 2 degrees higher than the controller setting so they always come on but will go off if the controller should stick on.

John, I was just joking and having a little fun at my own expense but you know that right. Truth is I built up monitors and controllers( ph,temp,orp,salinity) incrementally over the years so I have no inclination or need for a more complex do it all unit unit. I do like the Ranco though;very reliable.I have a single but they make a double if you want to run fans or a chiller.
 
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