Any Inkbird experts around here?

[mickeysreef <*))))<]

so ive decided to get an inkbird controller. and im just looking over the models.
here are my basic requirements:

1. heating
2. cooling
3. Single Unit

Should be simple enough, but looking over their models I see:
1. wifi
2. dual probes

i do not think i can get wifi with 2 probes AND heating and cooling. i will settle for heating and cooling, but just wanted to check to make sure i am not misunderstanding anything before i put my order in:

Models:
306A: Dual Probe Heating
929A: Dual Probe Heating Wifi
308S: Single Probe Heating/Cooling
306T: Single Probe Heating
C206: Single Probe Heating


i do not see any other models. it looks like they have a nifty range of products but no one product that checks all the boxes. looks like my choice is the 308S?

 

[Potatohead]

If you need heating and cooling you need the green one. I wouldn't worry about WiFi personally, it's easy to set and when you're done you never touch it again.

 

[FragileReefer]

I would agree wifi isn't worth it. In my opinion, neither is the cooling. Unless you live in a hot climate that isn't air conditioned constantly, I just doubt indoor temps push 80-81. If you wanna hook up a fan to cool down it's worth it but it would never come on in my home. There is a difference in temp probs two. BRS has models with replaceable temp probs and other models don't. There is also a plastic probe and one with a metal one. Either way, they all control the heater pretty much the same way so you can't go wrong.

 

[mickeysreef <*))))<]

I would agree wifi isn't worth it. In my opinion, neither is the cooling. Unless you live in a hot climate that isn't air conditioned constantly, I just doubt indoor temps push 80-81. If you wanna hook up a fan to cool down it's worth it but it would never come on in my home. There is a difference in temp probs two. BRS has models with replaceable temp probs and other models don't. There is also a plastic probe and one with a metal one. Either way, they all control the heater pretty much the same way so you can't go wrong.

we never use the ac in my house save maybe the hottest day or two of the year. we live bayfront and have about 50 windows so we just open those in the summer. we get a crazy breeze here

 

[The0wn4g3]

I purchased the dual controller with wifi and swapped the probe with the epoxy version. Had 2-3 degree swings for weeks, stressed my fish out so bad they got ich.

I'd not recommend anyone use an inkbird. The microcontroller is complete garbage.

 

[Potatohead]

I purchased the dual controller with wifi and swapped the probe with the epoxy version. Had 2-3 degree swings for weeks, stressed my fish out so bad they got ich.

I'd not recommend anyone use an inkbird. The microcontroller is complete garbage.

I've used three of them for a combined total of about eight years without any issues. They're all still running today. Bummer you got a bad one.

 

[The0wn4g3]

I've used three of them for a combined total of about eight years without any issues. They're all still running today. Bummer you got a bad one.

Probably poor quality control. If I didn't have other temperature probes I would have never known how far off it was. I suspect that's true with most people leaving 5 star reviews on Amazon.

Like I said, I even ordered a replacement probe and there was no change at all. Had to be a bad board. It would read 77.6, then jump to 78.2, then jump to 78.8. It was almost always 0.6 degrees for some reason.

 

[Big E]

Inkbirds are garbage..........spend more on something that's more reliable. A good temp controller is the one piece of equipment you shouldn't skimp on.

Ranco controllers are more robust and reliable. They are an industry standard type piece of equipment that's used in many manufacturing facilities.

 

[Capitol Reef Corals]

I personally really like the heating/cooling model. In my apartment, the inside temp can get a bit hot during the summer. It is nice to have the option to connect a fan to cool the water down in case you need it.

When I first got the unit, the temp was spot on. After about a year I notice a small drift in the temp accuracy. I believe they stated they have somewhat fixed the problem with the probe that is covered in rubber/epoxy/some other material. However, there is a calibration setting on the unit where you can calibrate it manually for drift. I would recommend to make this a part of your monthly maintenance.

I average 3 other independent and different temp sensors and calibrate as necessary (temp gun, meat thermometer, controller probe).

I definitely recommend it! IMO much safer than just trusting your heater's controller.

 

[Bryknicks]

 

[jda]

I totally second the advice to step it up and get a Ranco. They are not expensive and nearly all last for decades. I have seen them in the field controlling equipment with millions of dollars of product and they do not fail... and when they do, they fail off.

If you ever get super lucky and see a Medusa controller at a reef garage sale, or somewhere online, these are incredibly reliable pieces of equipment as well, just out of production for a long time now and hard to find. I pick them up when I see them (if they have the probe) and they are usually about $20 and are like finding gold.

If you do get an Inkbird, then get a heater with an internal thermostat so that you have have an second level of defense.

With any controller, single phase is fine. If you need fan-type cooling later, you can always use a light timer since you know what time of the day that it gets hot... or you can just turn a fan on with the lights. Waiting for temp to rise to turn on a fan puts you behind and you often never catch up. If you might use a chiller at some time, then get a dual phase.

 

[mickeysreef <*))))<]

yeah originally I wanted to go ranco, but I've read a lot of failures about them as well. there seems to be two camps, those who have had it for a very long time 5 years plus and going strong and those who had it for about a year and have a failure. idk if they moved manufacturing or what. i figured i would go with the inkbird, 1/3 of the price. throw a 2 year square trade warranty on there for like 3 or 4 bucks and test it out.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I think @Flippers4pups has experience with them....I think

 

[Flippers4pups]

I think @Flippers4pups has experience with them....I think

Bad experience. Two different units,tc308. both overtime would drift out of calibration to the point that you couldn't adjust them anymore. Verified against a calibrated thermometer. I'm at work, so can't go into great detail.

 

[billwill]

I'm running a Johnson Controls (Penn) A-419. Commercial control device similar to Ranco, maybe a little better. I work in the HVAC world, and decided it was worth a little extra money for a commercial level product that I've seen used by the thousands.

 

[jda]

Does square trade protect against coral, fish and other tank losses? Cost of the controller seems like a drop in the bucket compared to what else is at risk. There are some things that you cannot afford to be cheap.

I would strongly suggest that you again evaluate the failures that you have found with Ranco. I am not saying that there are none, but I personally never have known of any to fail (only a very few stories and posts with a lot of user error) and I have never even heard of one sticking on and boiling a tank. If people could rate orgasms on Amazon, there would be some people who give them 1 star... so a few negatives are sometimes nothing to be concerned about. Just gotta figure out how many you are dealing with.