Inkbird controler setup

[Piece of reef]

Hey guys how are u running your inkbird controllers

I was thinking to run my heaters at 78f (25-26c)
And running the inkbird at 80f (27c)

For mixed reef tank

 

[dmy535]

The inkbird controls the heater if you have it plugged into it. So the inkbird is your thermometer and turns the heater on and off based on the temp you set on the inkbird.

 

[Piece of reef]

The inkbird controls the heater if you have it plugged into it. So the inkbird is your thermometer and turns the heater on and off based on the temp you set on the inkbird.

Thought i should use it as a secondary back up so the tank doesnt overheat if the heaters fail

 

[dmy535]

Thought i should use it as a secondary back up so the tank doesnt overheat if the heaters fail

So do you have multiple heaters you’re running?

 

[dmy535]

I think I get what you mean. But I think you are mistaken how the inkbird works. The temp you set on the inkbird is the temp that it will try and keep the temp at by turning on and off the heater. Then you set a high low variance; I set mine to +-1. So, for example: I set the inkbird to 78 with the variance of +-1. Iif the temp falls to 77 it goes on. If the temp gets to 79 it goes off. Hope this helps

 

[fluked]

I ordered 2x inkbirds, have to pick them up still. I run my heaters around 77/78f. Planning to set the inkbird turn on window 1 degree below, and off at probably 79/80. Haven't received mine yet, so not sure how the config is, but that's the plan

 

[Piece of reef]

So do you have multiple heaters you’re running?

Yes i have 2 heaters running just incase one stops working
Then i thought id set the temp on the heaters and then set the temp on the inkbird as backup incase the heater gets stuck on
So instead of just relying on the inkbird i also have the inbuilt temp guage on the heater

correct me if im mistaken

That was my assumption lol

 

[jrill]

I run two heaters set at 78. Inkbird set at 80. That way the heaters control the temperature and the Inkbird is the failsafe incase a heater fails on.

 

[Gtinnel]

So instead of just relying on the inkbird i also have the inbuilt temp guage on the heater

I have mine setup the opposite way where the inkbird normally controls turning the heaters on and off and then the heaters' thermostats are the backup.

The way you want to do it would work except that the inkbird has a continuous run time error, so if the inkbird doesnt see its max temp reached within a set amount of time it will turn off the heaters and set an error. I just checked on mine and I don't see anyway to turn that feature off.

 

[Reef.]

What model number is it?

 

[Piece of reef]

I have mine setup the opposite way where the inkbird normally controls turning the heaters on and off and then the heaters' thermostats are the backup.

The way you want to do it would work except that the inkbird has a continuous run time error, so if the inkbird doesnt see its max temp reached within a set amount of time it will turn off the heaters and set an error. I just checked on mine and I don't see anyway to turn that feature off.

Ohh ok yeh i just realised that about the auto shut off

Ill look into it further, or just do it your way ! Thanks

What model number is it?

Its the itc 306A

 

[Reef.]

If the 306a you can only really have it controlling the temp, not as the fail safe, as it has a max temp setting, which is meant to be a safety device where the controller has to reach the max set temp within 1-72 hours if it doesn’t it thinks there is an issue so turns the controller off.

Just set the heaters to slightly higher than tank temp, they then act as the fail safe.

 

[Piece of reef]

If the 306a you can only really have it controlling the temp, not as the fail safe, as it has a max temp setting, which is meant to be a safety device where the controller has to reach the max set temp within 1-72 hours if it doesn’t it thinks there is an issue so turns the controller off.

Yeh i didnt realise untill gtinnel said it further up, would i have to put the heaters and inkbird at the same temp then ? Because if i was to put the heaters at a lower temp as a precaution, they wont turn on because if the inkbird powers them on to heat up the water, the temp gauge inside the heater would think its reached the desired temp
Is that correct?

 

[Reef.]

Set the heaters slightly higher, then if the controller fails, the heater kick in.

 

[Piece of reef]

Set the heaters slightly higher, then if the controller fails, the heater kick in.

Thank you
It makes sense lol

 

[Gtinnel]

Because if i was to put the heaters at a lower temp as a precaution, they wont turn on because if the inkbird powers them on to heat up the water, the temp gauge inside the heater would think it

I know this question has already been answered but I just wanted to point out that you will still have the redundancy of the heaters thermostats turning them off if the inkbird fails.

 

[jrill]

I have mine setup the opposite way where the inkbird normally controls turning the heaters on and off and then the heaters' thermostats are the backup.

The way you want to do it would work except that the inkbird has a continuous run time error, so if the inkbird doesnt see its max temp reached within a set amount of time it will turn off the heaters and set an error. I just checked on mine and I don't see anyway to turn that feature off.

I must have different models. None of my three Inkbird controllers do that.

 

[Gtinnel]

I must have different models. None of my three Inkbird controllers do that.

My only experience with them is from the one I have ITC-306A, but I know it at least has that error. I have no idea which other ones do though. Apparently there are several differences between the models because someone else said they set a temp and then a variance of 1 degree so that it stays within a degree above or below. On mine I set the specific temp that I want it to turn on and then the temp that I want it to go off, I just have to make sure there is at least a .5 degrees difference.

Are any of yours wifi, I'm wondering if that is the difference?

 

[Reef.]

Some of the models have less of a variance if you change to Celsius, than it’s only 0.3c.

 

[Gtinnel]

Some of the models have less of a variance if you change to Celsius, than it’s only 0.3c

For the ones that you can't set the exact on/off point that would be way better than a 1 degree variance. It means your overall swing would only be 1 degree and not 2.