Thinking of Adding a Heater Controler

[shifty51008]

Do the inkbird temp probes rust? They look metal in the Amazon pictures.


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Yes they rust, you have to coat them, i used heat shrink and it works just fine. You can also order the plastic coated probes on ebay for cheap.

 

[shifty51008]

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.

+1 there are even alot of people that have controllers and still use the ranco and use the controller as backup and for text alerts

 

[Potatohead]

Do the inkbird temp probes rust? They look metal in the Amazon pictures.


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Yes they rust, you have to coat them, i used heat shrink and it works just fine. You can also order the plastic coated probes on ebay for cheap.

Mine has been in the sump for two months or so and not one spec of any oxidization or rust on it at all. I did think about heat shrink tubing it but was concerned about accuracy, so I tried it without and it has no issues thus far. Also if you set it to Celsius rather than F it will do .5 degree F swing rather than 1 degree.

 

[Pigpen17]

the reefkeeper lite basic is $120 and has a temp probe and controller. I like this for small reefs. I find the feed mode very useful as I often forget to turn the pumps back on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls0ABH6JV-Y&list=PLBaMLrfToJyybUT18OE3fMomFb9XU0ffC&index=44

http://www.marinedepot.com/Digital_...iums-Digital_Aquatics-DA1131-FITEMOMI-vi.html

Good watch. I think I get it now. I was thinking that I would like something to monitor my ALK and then I could dose as needed, but the reality is you set up an auto doser, and then test to see that's it's set to your needs. Got it. Yeah. That thing is pretty cool.

My vote for an ATO

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/tunze-osmolator-universal-3155-auto-top-off.html

Oh that's sweet. I think it would work on my tank too. Maybe even better than the Marine Depot ATO because the float switch is on the top instead of the bottom, so my tank lip will be even less of an issue.

Thank you both.

 

[Pigpen17]

OK. So after further review I think I am going to buy the ReefKeeper Lite + SLX Expansion Unit w/ FREE pH Probe http://www.marinedepot.com/MarineDe...ums-Digital_Aquatics-DA11311-FITEMOMI-vi.html I don't need the PH probe, but I'll need the expansion unit. I'm also going to buy the Float switch kit http://www.marinedepot.com/Digital_...ries-Digital_Aquatics-DA1413-FIDPETAC-vi.html to attach to the expansion unit. I am not crazy about the single float switch, and I like the electronic eye and float back-up of the Tunzi ATO, but I can't see buying both the Reefkeeper and the Tunzi. This would get me my ATO, Heater controller, and in the future, maybe hook my Reefbreeders Photon LED to it as well. I'm going to buy the float switch first, actually, just to make sure it will mount properly on my tank.

I think this is sound, no? Thank you for all your help everyone. I am pretty exited about this.

 

[jam.jo]

I would get a reefkeeper or one of the neptune apex systems. That way you can control other things besides temp and they are more reliable.

 

[Pigpen17]

That's what I'm thinking too.

OK. So after further review I think I am going to buy the ReefKeeper Lite + SLX Expansion Unit w/ FREE pH Probe http://www.marinedepot.com/MarineDe...ums-Digital_Aquatics-DA11311-FITEMOMI-vi.html I don't need the PH probe, but I'll need the expansion unit. I'm also going to buy the Float switch kit http://www.marinedepot.com/Digital_...ries-Digital_Aquatics-DA1413-FIDPETAC-vi.html to attach to the expansion unit. I am not crazy about the single float switch, and I like the electronic eye and float back-up of the Tunzi ATO, but I can't see buying both the Reefkeeper and the Tunzi. This would get me my ATO, Heater controller, and in the future, maybe hook my Reefbreeders Photon LED to it as well. I'm going to buy the float switch first, actually, just to make sure it will mount properly on my tank.

I think this is sound, no? Thank you for all your help everyone. I am pretty exited about this.

 

[Pigpen17]

OK, so I just have to say, I am not insane. I don't think.

Changed my mind while in checkout. I just haven't thought on the controller long enough. I know I came into this thread looking for a heater controller, but I purchased the Tunzi ATO and a nifty reservoir. That's it for me for a while.

Thanks again everyone. I know most advice was to buy a controller, but this thread has really helped me out a lot just in general knowledge of what's out there, and put me on the path of a purchase I am very exited about.

 

[Pigpen17]

So my ATO arrived today. My Daughter asked me what it was. I told her and she said, "So you got all this fancy stuff, and now instead of filling up your tank, you'll be filling up your container?"

"Well, yes, but that's not the point!"