Heater Controllers...

vetteguy53081 · Oct 17, 2020

GoVols said:
Tony,
I know the charts.

lol
This is the second bad InKbird controller thread we've been on in one week.

What about 2 Finnex controllers or two cobalt aquatics neo-stat heater controllers?

Too bad that we can't get the Schego thermostats in the USA to pair up with "their" German-made titanium heaters, that BRS sells. Guess they don't make a version for the States.

I only use Finnex with built conreoller and probe which detects the tank temperature in true degrees. I have an inkbird on one of my 800w titaniums and it works perfect. Had it about a year now. As for Neo-therm. . . too many failing and/or even exploding. I would avoid them at all costs

NickC · Oct 17, 2020

I wired in a pig tail to my ranco. Have three plugs, only use two. The wiring is easy, that video that someone posted above will help you.

Ranco is the way to go, don’t forget to heat shrink the probe.

ingchr1 · Oct 18, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
...As for Neo-therm. . . too many failing and/or even exploding. I would avoid them at all costs

I read the post as the neo-stat controller, not the heaters themselves. I have a couple that I used on my tanks before I had a controller. Also used it on a QT and my mixing bucket. They list for $100 but it seams you can always find them for $50.

Neo-Stat Controller

The NEO-STAT electronic temperature controller turns any aquarium, terrarium, reptile heater, pad, or heat lamp into a precision controlled device. The advanced circuitry controls your heater in place of the original thermostat more accurately and safely. Good for up to 300 watts of total power...

www.cobaltaquatics.com

SPS2020 · Oct 18, 2020

Ranco offers a titanium temp probe which is safe for saltwater, so no shrinkwrap is needed (possible point of failure). I've been using one for 15+ years.

KStatefan · Oct 18, 2020

SPS2020 said:
Ranco offers a titanium temp probe which is safe for saltwater, so no shrinkwrap is needed (possible point of failure). I've been using one for 15+ years.

I have not seen one listed on the Ranco site do you have a link or a part number?

SPS2020 · Oct 19, 2020

These are under the Aqua Logic label, but are Ranco.

Digital Temperature Controllers

Aqua Logic’s digital temperature controllers can be used in a variety of applications where a device needs to be turned on / off based on temperature rise or fall.

aqualogicinc.com

Biglew11 · Oct 19, 2020

SPS2020 said:
These are under the Aqua Logic label, but are Ranco.

Digital Temperature Controllers

Aqua Logic’s digital temperature controllers can be used in a variety of applications where a device needs to be turned on / off based on temperature rise or fall.

aqualogicinc.com

Ive been using this one for ten years.

Aqua-Logic-Digital-Temperature-Controller-Dual-Stage-99.jpg

https://www.marinedepot.com/aqua-lo...C5NDoRGSOLs5uCVup7Vf6nWbGlcBQFQaAl0fEALw_wcB&

Karliefish · Nov 12, 2020

Water Dog said:
Get a Ranco. It is not a hobby grade temperature controller that we often see for aquarium use. It is designed for use in commercial and industrial heating and cooling applications. I use my Ranco to do the heavy lifting and use my Apex as the failsafe.

would you mind sharing what model # Ranco you are using as there are several to choose from - thanks!

Philly Reefer · Nov 12, 2020

+1 on Bayite. It has 2 outlet but only control 1 heater though. There is a bayite that you can wire the outlet yourself

Biglew11 · Nov 12, 2020

I've used this one for 10 years straight. From my understanding it's a rebranded Ranco.

https://www.marinedepot.com/aqua-logic-digital-temperature-controller-dual-stage

Water Dog · Nov 12, 2020

Karliefish said:
would you mind sharing what model # Ranco you are using as there are several to choose from - thanks!

It’s the Ranco ETC-111000. For details, check my post #10 in this thread.

Karliefish · Nov 13, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
Answer depends on size of your tank. A 100 gallon= 250w 200 gal = 500wt My 660 gallon = 1200Wt

curious to know...what brand/model heater(s) did you go with for your 660 gallon tank? I went with two Finnex 900W (each) heaters for my 365G tank.

92Miata · Nov 13, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
150-200Wt

I run a 50w in my 40 gallon tanks.

This really depends on ambient temp and humidity. 200w would be bouillabaisse in my house if it stuck .

vetteguy53081 · Nov 13, 2020

Karliefish said:
curious to know...what brand/model heater(s) did you go with for your 660 gallon tank? I went with two Finnex 900W (each) heaters for my 365G tank.

Also Finnex. They have never let me down

Karliefish · Nov 13, 2020

Biglew11 said:
I've used this one for 10 years straight. From my understanding it's a rebranded Ranco.

https://www.marinedepot.com/aqua-logic-digital-temperature-controller-dual-stage

are you running both a heater (how many watts?) and a chiller (how many watts?) on this controller and is it then connected to an APEX controller system (or some other controller system) or stand-alone as a fail-safe?

SPS2020 said:
Ranco offers a titanium temp probe which is safe for saltwater, so no shrinkwrap is needed (possible point of failure). I've been using one for 15+ years.

where do I find the Ranco titanium temp probe setup? I couldn’t find it on their website. Is it already integrated into a controller or do you have to wire it?

Karliefish · Nov 13, 2020

SPS2020 said:
These are under the Aqua Logic label, but are Ranco.

Digital Temperature Controllers

Aqua Logic’s digital temperature controllers can be used in a variety of applications where a device needs to be turned on / off based on temperature rise or fall.

aqualogicinc.com

Can’t figure out why the price is so much higher if this is just a rebranded Ranco. The Rancho site is much less. I must be missing something here on features being offered?

Karliefish · Nov 13, 2020

Karliefish said:
Can’t figure out why the price is so much higher if this is just a rebranded Ranco. The Rancho site is much less. I must be missing something here on features being offered?

I think i just figured it out. This controller also includes the heater included?

Biglew11 · Nov 13, 2020

I'm running two 300 watt heaters. Both channels set to heat. Channel 1 set to 78, channel 2 set to 77. If the heater on channel 1 dies channel 2 will take over. This is then plugged into the apex, set to turn on at 78 and off at 79.

Karliefish · Nov 13, 2020

Biglew11 said:
I'm running two 300 watt heaters. Both channels set to heat. Channel 1 set to 78, channel 2 set to 77. If the heater on channel 1 dies channel 2 will take over. This is then plugged into the apex, set to turn on at 78 and off at 79.

Got it - like the approach, thanks for responding.

Water Dog · Nov 13, 2020

Karliefish said:
Can’t figure out why the price is so much higher if this is just a rebranded Ranco. The Rancho site is much less. I must be missing something here on features being offered?

It sounds like you’re looking for a pre wired dual stage Ranco ETC-211000. You can get the probe shrink wrapped to protect it from the saltwater environment like I did... no titanium probe needed. I chose 2 ft of shrink wrap installed for an additional $3.