Temp Controller/ReefKeeper??

[blenny90]

Has anyone used a temperature controller to automatically shut off their MH lights if the temp gets too high?

I have both a Reef Keeper 2 and a Reef Keeper 1 on our reef system. When I moved the sump to the basement this fall, I moved the RK2 downstairs to control the calcium reactor and kalk since it has the PH probe. I then used our old RK1 upstairs at the tank to controll the lights. However, I forgot that it will not automatically shut off the lights when the temp gets too high, like the RK2 will.

I really don't want to buy another RK2 and was wondering if anyone has used a temperature controller to shut off their lights if the temp gets too high. The RK2 was a life saver last summer while we were on vacation - a breaker tripped that the chiller was plugged into and thank goodness the RK2 shut off the lights.

Could I use a Ranco temperature controller to shut off the expansion socket (it's rated to 16 amps) should the tank temp get too high?

Any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[dvanacker]

Find a cheap place that will sell RANCO tempature controllers. You can get single stage or dual. THe single can program to turn something on like fans or off like MH. The dual can do both.

 

[dvanacker]

sorry I didnt see that you mention the RANCO. I think it's rated for 1500w or~15amp but I'm not positive.

 

[blenny90]

I've checked that - it's rated at 16 amps. I guess my question is in the functionality of it as far as the differential. I don't have any experience with a temperature controller. If I wanted the controller to shut off the power (to the lights in this case) at 83 degrees, and set the differential at say 5 - would that turn the lights back on when the temperature dropped to 78?

Fosters & Smith has the single stage for about $100.

 

[blenny90]

Anyone else with experience with this setup?

 

[seagirl]

don't buy ranco from DFS, use DiyReef-

https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop...id=37&osCsid=6deb17585520a440a089fa97594eb5ad

The diyreef version has better wiring and is cheaper i believe.

 

[jboogie]

Another suggestion is to have sensor to turn on a fan when it gets too hot.

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40_276&products_id=1448

 

[blenny90]

Thanks for the link seagirl. They are about $20 cheaper than DFS. Also clarified previous confusion that they are sealed - as on the manufacturer's website the probe is not recommended for submersion in water.

jboogie - Thanks for the link - I don't think I've seen their site before - will have to check it out. We already have fans that kick on as well as a chiller. The fans by themselves are not enough to keep the temp down with 1200 watts of MH in the canopy. If the chiller fails, which it did last summer when the breaker tripped that it was on, then we need to have the lights shut off if it gets too hot.

Appreciate your responses -

 

[saltysteven]

are you able to run a cord to the rk2 from the lights? how far away is it?

 

[blenny90]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11777101#post11777101 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saltysteven
are you able to run a cord to the rk2 from the lights? how far away is it?

Unfortunately, no. We did not think about this feature of the RK2 when we moved the sump and all equipment to the basement. We have the main pump in the basement and did have the forethought to run a cord (about 50 feet) along with the pipe through the floor/ceiling to shut off the main pump by pressing the feed button on the RK1 upstairs. But it would not be possible at this point to run another cord for the MHs to be controlled by the RK2.

Best layed plans, huh? Live and learn I guess. We've ordered a temp controller from DYI Reefs, so hopefully that will work.

Thanks -