Reef keeper 2 JUNK
- Thread starter Kreeger1
- Start date
DiscoReefRover
Active member
jr
itZme
New member
Maybe I should have been more specific. If the temp falls below 77.0 my first set of 3 heaters come on. If the temp continues to fall (too cold and 900w of heat can't keep up or some of the first heaters failed) then another two 250w heaters kick on.
If the temp goes above 79 then a fan kicks on over my fuge to cool things a bit. If the temps still climb to 80.5 then my first set of T5 lights goes off to help cool down. If the temp goes to 81.0 then two more ballasts go off. If it climbs past 81.5 then all lights shut off and I get an email and text message that warns me about the trouble.
Using a dual Ranco controller you can control the heaters at one set point and a fan/chiller at another set point. I don't know where anyone can find the Ranco dual controller for $19.80 but I will buy 10 of them at that price if you know of a place because they are quality equipment. In my opinion your statements are stretching the truth a bit. I agree with you about them being a luxury item but once you get beyond an average tank and begin adding advanced equipment you cannot compare the control and safety you can achieve with a controller.
If I were to just use digital timers for each of my lights ($11 each) I would spend $80 on timers. Then the Ranco dual temp controller is $130 so it is already more money than the ACjr with control over 8 individual outlets. If you have a Pinpoint PH monitor to check your tank's PH you have another $95 item. To add a PH probe to the ACjr kit would cost another $40. You could then control a calcium reactor (another luxury item in lots of people's minds) or could just monitor the tank's PH.
Controllers are a very nice alternative to a wall full of timers and monitors but you are correct that if one goes bad it could be catastrophic if you don't have the redundancy that I spoke about earlier with having backup heaters and circulation pumps not on the controller.
I hope this post doesn't seem like I am being angry... I am just hoping to help anyone reading this understand that while there are people totally against technology there are also legitimate reasons to embrace it. (Not to mention the coolness factor LOL )
Maybe I can change BigE's opinion on the matter
I welcome civil replies and hope I have remained civil also.
-- Kevin
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Right now, I have 4 timers for 2 tank. 3 heater and durning the summer, a fan got hooked up to a timer. I have fans running all the time for my lights. When I first want to do a better job controlling the temp in my tank I look into several different controller. For less then what I would pay for 2 Ranco dual controllers, I got AC Jr, DC 8, temp and pH probe. All this gives me better control and maybe saving some money in the long run.(not having to run equipment for cooling if not needed) Any piece of equipment can fail, but I have not read/heard many bad things about AC. I'm looking forward to getting my controller and setting it up.
IMHO
Phil
IMHO
Phil
Esquare
Active member
One of the neat things about this hobby is that, in many instances, there is no right way. Another way to look at the controller is as a cost savings. In addition to the savings on timers and temp controllers, you also get a ph controller, condutivity monitor etc for the cost of the probes with out paying for the rest of the equipment with the individual monitors.
Erik, I have 1 DC 8, as previously mentioned and about 8 or 10 x10 wall outlets (look just like regular outlets) for the tank. The x10 are cheaper and, while not as fool proof as the dc 8, are fairly reliable. In addition to the tank, I have x10 through out my house and since I installed a signal bridge between the 2 legs of my service panel have had no problems with it.
Erik, I have 1 DC 8, as previously mentioned and about 8 or 10 x10 wall outlets (look just like regular outlets) for the tank. The x10 are cheaper and, while not as fool proof as the dc 8, are fairly reliable. In addition to the tank, I have x10 through out my house and since I installed a signal bridge between the 2 legs of my service panel have had no problems with it.
Big E
Premium Member
Hi Kevin,
You don't have to justify the price of the unit to me. I don't like all in one units. I like the flexibility of seperate units...........What happens if your Controller breaks? You've lost control of everything. My pin(ph) point lasted over 10 years. Let me know if these last as long & what you're going to do when one of the measuring sections stops working.
I haven't priced them in years because I had no intention of buying one......... the other units are 5+ times the price of a Ranco, so I did exagerate a bit & I'm sure they have a lot of applications, but most of the options are useless to me. How many probes come with the unit? Aren't some sold sepeartely?
You have to buy the x10 units for the controller seperately also don't you? I don't know where you get timers for $11 but I payed $5 for my mechanical timer.
I use one timer for all the lights on one tank. I don't need to stagger them. The corals don't care.
Obviously some people like the units & I'm not trying to convince anyone to not buy one, but I consider them a luxury item.
You don't have to justify the price of the unit to me. I don't like all in one units. I like the flexibility of seperate units...........What happens if your Controller breaks? You've lost control of everything. My pin(ph) point lasted over 10 years. Let me know if these last as long & what you're going to do when one of the measuring sections stops working.
I haven't priced them in years because I had no intention of buying one......... the other units are 5+ times the price of a Ranco, so I did exagerate a bit & I'm sure they have a lot of applications, but most of the options are useless to me. How many probes come with the unit? Aren't some sold sepeartely?
You have to buy the x10 units for the controller seperately also don't you? I don't know where you get timers for $11 but I payed $5 for my mechanical timer.
I use one timer for all the lights on one tank. I don't need to stagger them. The corals don't care.
Obviously some people like the units & I'm not trying to convince anyone to not buy one, but I consider them a luxury item.
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