Tempurate flucuation

[naprestsleep]

Is it good/bad to have a heater controller that can allow the temp to fluctuation 2 degrees? The JBJ TrueTemp Digital Heater Controller, doesn't kick a heater on until its 1 degree below your set point, and doesn't turn it off until its 1 degree over.

I have had all types of issue getting my tank heater set to the same temp and they still seem to cycle quickly on and off a lot, I was thinking or replacing them with one JBJ TrueTemp Digital Heater Controller and one heater, with my AC JR set up to kill the outlet in the event of a heater stuck on issue, and leaving a backup heater in there set to a lower temp for stuck off issues.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

fwiw

fwiw

my aquarium easily fluctuates 2 degrees F (or more) during a 24 hour time period.

It's a good idea to have the ACjr override everything.

 

[naprestsleep]

It seems like on this controller it could happen much more frequent depending how long it takes to heat it up 2 degrees and then how long the cool down takes.

I like the idea of it not kicking on and off constantly which is what my current heaters do, sometimes on and off for seconds at a time. That cant be good for them.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

get two small heaters.

set one a degree or two lower than the other.

 

[block head]

jbj quality is usually quite poor. they pump out whatever, and just replace stuff if u complain. i'd buy a used quality unit over a shady jbj unit.

 

[pascal32]

Can you set hysteresis on the AC Jr as part of the heaters control? I have mine on an RKE at 78.5 with a hysteresis of .1 (can go .1 up and .1 down) and the temp on the heaters dialed around 80 in case the RKE fails.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Can you set hysteresis on the AC Jr as part of the heaters control?

good question!

I don't know for sure but I would imagine so...........

 

[pascal32]

duplicate.

 

[naprestsleep]

get two small heaters.

set one a degree or two lower than the other.

I got three finnex heaters right now. A 300w is set a little lower than a 200w(so the 300w kicks on the most constantly and in quick session, and the 200w occasionally), the third is a second 300w in the basement refug, which kicks on if the returns off for a while or I add NSW thats too cool.

 

[pascal32]

I got three finnex heaters right now. A 300w is set a little lower than a 200w(so the 300w kicks on the most constantly and in quick session, and the 200w occasionally), the third is a second 300w in the basement refug, which kicks on if the returns off for a while or I add NSW thats too cool.

with the basement sump you are likely cooling quickly. You will likely find that you can take one or two of your heaters and leave them on all the time and have one turn on and off with the temperature swings.

 

[naprestsleep]

The basement sump does lead to cooling, I have taken steps to limit it. Id rather not leave a heater on constantly as it = $. Just shopping for a better option as I don't think a heater cycling on/off constantly can be good for it.

 

[pascal32]

The basement sump does lead to cooling, I have taken steps to limit it. Id rather not leave a heater on constantly as it = $. Just shopping for a better option as I don't think a heater cycling on/off constantly can be good for it.

as long as the tank is cooling you need to put energy into the tank to heat it. if you are looking to save money consider insulating the sump with styrafoam, and possibly putting a top on it. You could also pursue other energy sources for heating besides electric.

If you come up with anything, please share

 

[naprestsleep]

I have 2 inch pink foam around the sump and refug, and a cover on the refug. I keep my heaters in my display to try to keep the heating where it is more needed. My basement is cool and so is the room with the display hence the heaters running often.