Thinking of Adding a Heater Controler

Pigpen17

Pigpen17

New member
Hello all!
So I have been thinking of adding a heater controller for some time now. I was dead set on the JBJ True Temp, but now I have read mixed reviews on the thing. Anyone using this or have used this?

http://www.marinedepot.com/JBJ_True...quariums-JBJ_Lighting-JB1511-FITEMOID-vi.html

As long as I have you guys here, I've been wanting to add an ATO as well. This one is about the only one I think will work in my tank. Thoughts?
http://www.marinedepot.com/Marine_D...n_Units-Marine_Depot-MD82805-FIDPETPU-vi.html
 
If you are going to get both I would get a good controller instead, it would control the heat and with a couple of float switches give you a nice ATO along with all the other benefits of a controller.
 
Thanks for the links. Gonna have to do some reading on this. I don't have a sump, so at first glance, the Avast ATO looks too big to be in tank. In fact, most ATO's I have looked at won't work on my tank because of it's rim. I should start reading up on controllers as well. It's a part of the hobby I've been avoiding so far.

Still, would love to hear a review of the items I listed too. I have been looking at a lot of them, and I think these will fit into my system well, just not sure how well they work.
 
Tunze nano ATO would work with any tank as the float switch holds to the glass with a magnet.

I would second the controller though. You never know how you'll use it until you have one and discover all the things it can do.
 
thegrun said:
If you are going to get both I would get a good controller instead, it would control the heat and with a couple of float switches give you a nice ATO along with all the other benefits of a controller.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Get an overall controller. Also, for feeding or water changes, you can turn off everything with the push of one button.
 
sump it. its not hard to do, you can get a hob overflow. Theres a couple that will not loose siphon.
 
Bent said:
sump it. its not hard to do, you can get a hob overflow. Theres a couple that will not loose siphon.
Click to expand...

Oh trust me, it's on the list. I am the poster child of take it slow. My tank has been running for two years, and I just added my 5th and final fish. My tank is still very much "In progress". I like to take things one step at a time and then wait it out and see if it integrates well. I am not the guy who wants it all now. In fact, my biggest fear is to finally be done with everything. Yes. Sump is going to happen, just not now.

I will start looking at controllers. Maybe it's time to unlock that door.

Thanks everyone.
 
Pigpen17 said:
Oh trust me, it's on the list. I am the poster child of take it slow. My tank has been running for two years, and I just added my 5th and final fish. My tank is still very much "In progress". I like to take things one step at a time and then wait it out and see if it integrates well. I am not the guy who wants it all now. In fact, my biggest fear is to finally be done with everything. Yes. Sump is going to happen, just not now.

I will start looking at controllers. Maybe it's time to unlock that door.

Thanks everyone.
Click to expand...

That's funny because when you finally get done with everything you'll have to get another tank. If you like to do diy projects I built my own controller, which does heat and cool, I can run dual heaters and dual fans. It' an stc-1000 and supplies from Lowes, I believe it's the same unit as the Inkbird controller. But don't get the hydor ato, it operates with a temperature sensor, so when your house temp and your tank temp are the same, they act squirrely.
 
cougareyes said:
That's funny because when you finally get done with everything you'll have to get another tank.
Click to expand...

Ain't it the truth! In a few years, I get a bigger room in the house for my office. First order of business: 150g tank.

So I have been looking at controllers, and yeah, they are pretty sweet. Probably more than I need right now, but that doesn't really discourage me from getting one. :) I could see using one to give my Reefbreeders LED actual ramp up/ramp down, dawn/dusk. Obviously temperature control. But what would really float my boat would be one that monitors ALK. I could not find one that does. Just PH and salinity. Also, not every one has float switch kits.

Is there one you guys know about that can dawn/dusk lights, control a heater, add float switch and has an ALK probe?
 
Well, after thinking about it, I'm 90% sure I'm just going to buy the JBJ heater controller. It is the perfect fit for my set up. I am still not entirely sure about it's reliability, which makes me nervous because a heater failure either way can be catastrophic, but a controller is just way more than I need right now, and without being able to monitor ALK, it just doesn't fit my needs.

The JBJ has to be better than what I have now. (Aqueon Pro heater and coral life digital thermometer)

Talk me out of it?
 
jbvdhp said:
How long have you used the inkbird? I am debating between that, the Ranco or Johnson controls.


Sent using your IP address
Click to expand...

I also use the inkbird on my clown fry tanks, I have been running them for 3 years so far and haven't skipped a beat. I do run a Ranco on my main tank though and also love it, hasn't faild yet in 10 years.

as for the OP I have used the JBJ controller and it had 2 of them fail on me within a year so be careful
 
jbvdhp said:
How long have you used the inkbird? I am debating between that, the Ranco or Johnson controls.


Sent using your IP address
Click to expand...

Only about two months but it has been really great. I'm likely going to get another one for my 210 fresh tank as those heaters are quite old.
 
I scored an Apex on eBay for $300 (the Junior is about $240 new). Instead of buying everything one piece at a time, do yourself a favor and just dive in, if you can afford it. My temp stays within 1.5 degrees at all times.
 
A ranco will hold the temp to 1 degree of the set point, plus give you the ability to run multiple heaters at the same time, which gives you redundancy in case of failures.

And it's like 45 dollars.

If you can afford a controller, by all means do it. But if you want a rock solid controller, screw the name brand stuff and just get the ranco. There's a reason why so many people here use them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Heater controller
2
Replies
23
Views
2K
Dustin07
D
ClownBubbaJoe
Help To Build A Dream Anemone & Host Fish, Crab & Volcano Tank.
Replies
14
Views
187
vlangel
vlangel
Itchy Trigger
Heaters for Sump and for Storage Tanks
Replies
2
Views
852
aquaman67
aquaman67
E
What's Old is New Again
Replies
2
Views
411
Uncle99
Uncle99
S
Novice Aquarist - Sump & Equipment Questions
Replies
9
Views
166
wvned
wvned
Back
Top