Most reliable heater controller
- Thread starter Wbflyer
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Greybeard
2500 Club Member
The real answer is that NOBODY makes a solid, reliable heater. The only way to be safe is to have redundant control.
Many achieve this by using a heater with it's own thermostat, plugged into a controller that has a slightly wider range. Heater's thermostat gets stuck, controller's thermostat takes over.
In my case, I've got a heater with no built in thermometer, plugged into an Inkbird controller, with _that_ plugged into my Apex. Inkbird runs the heater. If it fails, temp goes out of set range on the Apex, the Apex shuts it off, and I'm alerted. Seems a reasonable solution.
As a cheap, non Apex solution, a decent heater controller, like an Inkbird, plugged into the AutoAqua Smart Temp is probably a solid option. The AutoAqua shuts your heater down if it exceeds 84f. Not great, and not configurable, but hey, it'd help keep you from making fish soup.
As for controller brands... I've been using Inkbird for years. Currently, I've got a BRS rebranded Inkbird, but I wouldn't really recommend it over the other Inkbird offerings.
The Finnex stand alone controller looks like a solid, reasonably priced option.
Many achieve this by using a heater with it's own thermostat, plugged into a controller that has a slightly wider range. Heater's thermostat gets stuck, controller's thermostat takes over.
In my case, I've got a heater with no built in thermometer, plugged into an Inkbird controller, with _that_ plugged into my Apex. Inkbird runs the heater. If it fails, temp goes out of set range on the Apex, the Apex shuts it off, and I'm alerted. Seems a reasonable solution.
As a cheap, non Apex solution, a decent heater controller, like an Inkbird, plugged into the AutoAqua Smart Temp is probably a solid option. The AutoAqua shuts your heater down if it exceeds 84f. Not great, and not configurable, but hey, it'd help keep you from making fish soup.
As for controller brands... I've been using Inkbird for years. Currently, I've got a BRS rebranded Inkbird, but I wouldn't really recommend it over the other Inkbird offerings.
The Finnex stand alone controller looks like a solid, reasonably priced option.
Quietman
2500 Club Member
I'd go with a Ranco temperature controller (never rely on just the heater control itself). It's a bit more pricey - but had the Inkbird...lasted a year. Had black boxes - lasted 2. I'm now installing a Ranco dual stage. Designed for industrial application and bullet proof. Temperature control isn't something I'm now willing to be supported by hobby grade suppliers. It does require a bit of wiring, but plenty of instructions out there now.
GaryE
Well-Known Member
I have been running my heater on a reef-pi setup for the past year and have never drifted from 78 degrees with this setup that wasn't due to my own stupidity. It's been rock solid.
Plus it controls my lights and pumps and whatnot..
Plus it controls my lights and pumps and whatnot..
Quietman
2500 Club Member
I will say if you don't want to go with a controller, the Eheim Jagers are probably the most tried and true. They have a 3 year warranty. It's more about cycling frequency. So if your heaters cycle off and on a lot I'd replace annually, a couple times a day Id go longer.
Combine that with good heater size that can't overheat your tank and it's acceptable.
This isn't a recommendation just an option if you have to do without. I have at least 4 modes of protection, Eheim internal, dedicated temp controller, Autoaqua and heater size. Plus I have a separate Apex I just use for monitoring and sending me alarms. Overkill sure....but I had failure and the backups worked.
Combine that with good heater size that can't overheat your tank and it's acceptable.
This isn't a recommendation just an option if you have to do without. I have at least 4 modes of protection, Eheim internal, dedicated temp controller, Autoaqua and heater size. Plus I have a separate Apex I just use for monitoring and sending me alarms. Overkill sure....but I had failure and the backups worked.
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