Suggestions Please: What Temp Controller do you use for your Fan.

[rcastreje]

I would like to put my Fans on a Temp Controller, but am looking for recommendations.

Just want to turn the fans on at 79 and off at 77.

Thanks,

 

[scrapz]

ranco dual stage for chiller.

rk lite for the fans

 

[psykokid]

Either a Ranco or Reef Keeper Lite. The ranco only controls one thing but are industrial control units and not prone to failure (ie pretty bullet proof) The RKL can control heater, chiller/fans, lights, etc.. You spend a little more on the RKL but it does alot more than the ranco does.

 

[scrapz]

rkl's temp probe are prone to failure which is why I wouldn't control a essential piece of equipment such as a heater/chiller. For a fan, which can't alter the temp too much it will be fine.

 

[mike810]

RKE to turn on my fan

 

[BeanMachine]

rkl's temp probe are prone to failure which is why I wouldn't control a essential piece of equipment such as a heater/chiller. For a fan, which can't alter the temp too much it will be fine.

Scrapz what do you use instead?

 

[scrapz]

I use a ranco controller

 

[Symbiant]

I use a Ranco controller as well on my nano, and an Ac jr. on my 90. The Ranco is solid and reliable, but not as cost effective as a full featured controller

 

[laverda]

I use Aquacontrollers on 3 of my systems and they have all been extreamly reliable.

 

[SBJim]

I've been really impressed with the RKL. Seems like a great value for the money. I use the basic config for timed lights, temp control on fans, temp control on heater, temp-based shut-off of my lights.

 

[pciscott]

Redundancy!

redundancy is key, if your heater or chiller has a thermostat built in then I would go with a controler. With fans I like the piece of mind of a secondary thermostat and think the Ranco is smart to run even if you plan on using a controler. I had a temp probe fail on a Aquacontroler 3 and it put my fan on full blast in the middle of winter and my tank was down to 70 degrees when i figured it out. Most heaters and chillers have a built in set point(thermostat), if you are running one without a built in thermostat then a Ranco is smart as well(If a probe failed on your controler and your chiller or heater was stuck on without a set point your tank will crash). I see Ranco single controlers on RC all the time for $40 shipped and I think cheap insurance. A RKL controller for $99 is a pretty neat device, but a friend of mine had his tank get to 90 degrees because the thermostat failed do to a bad powerstrip and his halides were on and his fans were off and he is lucky it was only for a short time as his losses were minimal. Double Safe everything!

I think one other thing to think about is dividing your power up on your tank to more than 1 circuit so if a breaker shuts off your tank is ok. Chillers kicking on when your lights are on startup can knock out a breaker. Also the popular DJ Powerstrips everyone likes using have there limits as well and need to be setup at half there rated load. I was tank sitting for a friend and his DJ powerstrip breaker poped because he added a chiller too it the day before he left to make sure his tank stayed cool and it poped the breaker and lucky I got there an hour after his lights came on and knocked it out because all his pumps were off as well.

Redundancy!

 

[socalmiket]

I use an Apex to control two fans (and the heater, and everything else).

- MikeT

 

[Rukis]

I have my fans connected to my Neptune AC Jr., works great!

 

[mokusei]

I'm using a RKL to control a fan and a heater. I haven't had it long, but it seems to work OK so far.