Temp control for fans?

[fishymann]

Okay, hopefully some one can help me; i'm looking for a way to have the fans in my canopy turn on once the water hits a certain temperature. I've searched but with no luck yet; doesn't seem like that outragous of a thing. Thanks in advance

 

[boviac]

I use my AquaControllerII and an X10 appliance module. Also, I have to ranco single stage controllers sitting around... I tried using a timer on my other, smaller tank with the fan but found it would battle the heater unnecessarily on some of the random, cooler temp days. Alas, I determined I could use the ranco to do this without much further worry. So yes, I use my retail $100 controller to operate a $7 fan.

Ranco single stage controllers can be found on ebay cheaper than retail from what I recall.

The way I see it you have four options 1) a controller for your tank with an option to do this (not a day goes by that I do not think this is the best piece of equipment for my tank), 2) an independant controller like ranco, 3) bribe, blackmail, or better yet befriend an EE to build you a temperature controller for you, or 4) learn how yourself.

 

[kryppy]

You could split the outlet that feeds the lights. Much cheaper than a ranco...or take the plunge and get a reefkeeper2.

 

[fishymann]

I dont want it on a timer; i already tried it but since the tank is in my bedroom the room temp fluctuates too much. I'll look into the ranco thank you.

 

[stugray]

How about a PC fan controller:

http://www.directron.com/easywatch.html

It says "Detects and controls 3 sets of fan speeds and temperatures. Automatic fan control ONLY "

Stu

 

[fishymann]

I was thinking of that too; but what could i encase the probes in to make them safe for the tank but not change the over all temp of the readings?

 

[kryppy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13134830#post13134830 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stugray
How about a PC fan controller:

http://www.directron.com/easywatch.html

It says "Detects and controls 3 sets of fan speeds and temperatures. Automatic fan control ONLY "

Stu

That is cool...no pun intended. I'll bet you could coat the probes with silicone and be all set!

 

[fishymann]

I may go ahead and give it a shot; maybe coat it in a thin layer of epoxy? I'll test it because i have a fear of the silicone coming off. I'll try to get my hands on one soon

 

[kryppy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13134873#post13134873 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishymann
I may go ahead and give it a shot; maybe coat it in a thin layer of epoxy? I'll test it because i have a fear of the silicone coming off. I'll try to get my hands on one soon

I'll bet epoxy would work just as well, but i just ebayed rancos and they are pretty cheap.

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=ranco&_sacat=See-All-Categories

 

[BeanAnimal]

Your best bet is to purchase a $125 dual stage RANCO and put your heater on one stage and the fans on the other. If you are not running a dedicated temperature controller, you are asking for a disaster anyway. Pay a little now, or a lot later (when the system cooks).

Bean

 

[Harry_Fish]

Most controllers do this function

Or you could just hombrew up something

 

[fishymann]

beananimal; what type of heater would i use though? All the heaters i've seen have their own controllers built into them ? Plus it needs to be a small heater; only for a 10 gallon

 

[BeanAnimal]

For a 10 gallon tank, the temperature controller is A MUST. A stuck heater will cook that thing in very short order.

Use the smallest heater you can find and set the thermostat just above the point where the Ranco kick in and out. That way of the Ranco did malfunctiuon the built in thermostat of the heater will act as a fail-safe. Because it is not used to cycle the heater, it will not live a short life (metal fatigue) and fail.


check out my heater article

http://www.beananimal.com/articles/aquarium-heaters-what-you-need-to-know!.aspx

 

[fishymann]

alright thanks; i'll look into getting a dual controller so it can control both the fan and the heater. I apprecaite the help.

 

[stugray]

I didnt read the OP well enough.

I thought he just wanted something to crank up the fans when the temp inside the hood got too high.
Like a cheap version of the icecap fans.

You could have three fans with a cool looking controller for the price of ONE icecap fan.

Stu

 

[daven]

I'm with Bean on the two-stage RANCO. Have one in my display (controls fan and heater). Don't have one on my QT which only has a heater. Came home one night with a new Kole Tang and noticed my QT was over 90 degrees. It was late and I took the shortcut of putting tank in Display rather than cooking him. Of course, he broke out in ich. He's "cured" now but goes to show you that you can't trust those heaters.

So I took the heater out. I realized I live in Florida and really don't need one anyway.

Pay the $125 or live in fear of temp spike. Added plus is that it will control the fan and run only when needed reducing electricity and saving on condensation.

 

[madcowz]

Cheap solution that works is an ATC-300. It works as a standard heater controller similar to the Ranco but it also has a fan timer built into in. You have to set the time for the fan control (I set mine to go on when the lights go on) and everything is read in Celsius but you can pick them up for 30 bucks on Ebay.