Possible replacement for inkbird?

[Cherie cook]

My inkbird has always worked flawlessly for me...but one does hear those stories about unreliability. So in an effort to accident-proof as much as possible, is this something that I could consider?

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Try a Ranco. Solid performance. I forgot how to program it’s been so long since I had to mess with it. 10 years at least

And evening , hope alls well

 

[Cherie cook]

Try a Ranco. Solid performance. I forgot how to program it’s been so long since I had to mess with it. 10 years at least

And evening , hope alls well

That’s why I put up the pic, lol! I’d like to know if this particular product is appropriate.

 

[GCL]

I just ordered the Ranco. I’ve been worried about heater failure and I’ve heard good things about reliability of these units. My only concern is water proofing the probe. Any thoughts?

 

[Cherie cook]

I just ordered the Ranco. I’ve been worried about heater failure and I’ve heard good things about reliability of these units. My only concern is water proofing the probe. Any thoughts?

If you look at the pic I put up it shows a box you can check where they will put a Heatshrink on the probe...I believe this helps waterproof it.

 

[Cherie cook]

If you look at the pic I put up it shows a box you can check where they will put a Heatshrink on the probe...I believe this helps waterproof it.

Is this the one you ordered?

 

[GCL]

If you look at the pic I put up it shows a box you can check where they will put a Heatshrink on the probe...I believe this helps waterproof it.

Thanks! I actually just noticed that after my post. I ordered thru Amazon and they didn’t have that option but that seems like it would be pretty easy to add myself. They also don’t offer a pre-wired version but I don’t mind doing that part myself if it saves a few bucks. I’ve been researching and debating options for a while now and it seems like the best choice. It’s just too bad the Inkbird isn’t more reliable, I like that it has outlets for both heating and cooling and it seems more simple to set up.

 

[Jettareefer223]

Ranco is a fine product that’s soul purpose is to protect expensive industrial/commercial equipment and was made with that mind. Aqua logic makes a good dual phase controller as well that use to come factory on industrial chillers I believe comes with waterproof/stainless probe.

 

[Hemmdog]

I have the ranco you posted. Amazing product, every reef should have one. I didn’t shrink wrap my probe, it’s holding up perfectly fine without it. 78 rock solid year round, I cannot express enough how awesome these are especially for the price; More reliable than an apex and less than $100.

 

[Nick30G]

Inkbird recently came out with a "water proof probe" model . I dont have one personally, I just have the regular inkbird with the metal probe and its doing just fine 2 years later in my tank.

 

[Cherie cook]

I have the ranco you posted. Amazing product, every reef should have one. I didn’t shrink wrap my probe, it’s holding up perfectly fine without it. 78 rock solid year round, I cannot express enough how awesome these are especially for the price; More reliable than an apex and less than $100.

Lol...I tried an apex once....couldn’t even figure out how to program it, much less hook it up to any equipment! ;Bucktooth

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

If you look at the pic I put up it shows a box you can check where they will put a Heatshrink on the probe...I believe this helps waterproof it.

I'm using an ink bird but will be switching over to Ranco soon, on ink bird probe, I dip it in liquid plastic no issues yet.

 

[GCL]

Is this the one you ordered?

Yes, same model number, just not pre-wired. I have been pretty paranoid about my heater malfunctioning after hearing so many stories about that sort of thing. I’ve had it unplugged most of the summer but some nights have been cool enough for me to worry about that too.

 

[Cherie cook]

Inkbird recently came out with a "water proof probe" model . I dont have one personally, I just have the regular inkbird with the metal probe and its doing just fine 2 years later in my tank.

I don’t think it’s the probe that’s the issue...from what I’ve read. It’s that it fails in the “on” position, cooking your tank.

 

[Cherie cook]

Yes, same model number, just not pre-wired. I have been pretty paranoid about my heater malfunctioning after hearing so many stories about that sort of thing. I’ve had it unplugged most of the summer but some nights have been cool enough for me to worry about that too.

Don’t blame you...to lose all my livestock because of a heater malfunction? Nightmarish!

 

[Nick30G]

I don’t think it’s the probe that’s the issue...from what I’ve read. It’s that it fails in the “on” position, cooking your tank.

Even if the Inkbird stays "on" permantly the thermostats in my Eheim Jagers will turn the heaters off themselves if they go 2 degrees above the Inkbird. So even if the InkBird somehow fails, and trys to keep the heaters on, the heaters thermostats will turn the heaters off before the tank gets to hot.

 

[Hemmdog]

Lol...I tried an apex once....couldn’t even figure out how to program it, much less hook it up to any equipment! ;Bucktooth

Lol well these are super easy. It’s two button clicks and you never touch it again, it’s great. Also want to point out the main difference in ranco vs inkbird& apex is industrial grade temp control vs hobby grade.
Rancos you will find in major food processing plants, commercial brewery’s, public aquariums, places where they can’t afford for their temp control to malfunction, ever.
Inkbirds are often found on planted Fw tanks and home brewer hobbyists, places where it’s ok to need to replace your faulty temp controller every so often.

 

[Jettareefer223]

I have the ranco you posted. Amazing product, every reef should have one. I didn’t shrink wrap my probe, it’s holding up perfectly fine without it. 78 rock solid year round, I cannot express enough how awesome these are especially for the price; More reliable than an apex and less than $100.

I’ve tried to preaching the gospel to people for years Aquarium heaters are junk point of sale’s period. The best investment you can make is having a secondary thermal controller, and the majority of people pass on it. The whole “you’ll buy $200 coral, but not a $35-80 heater controller?” logic

 

[Cherie cook]

I’ve tried to preaching the gospel to people for years Aquarium heaters are junk point of sale’s period. The best investment you can make is having a secondary thermal controller, and the majority of people pass on it. The whole
“you’ll buy $200 coral, but not $35-80 heater controller?” logic

What do you mean by a secondary controller?

 

[Hemmdog]

I’ve tried to preaching the gospel to people for years Aquarium heaters are junk point of sale’s period. The best investment you can make is having a secondary thermal controller, and the majority of people pass on it. The whole “you’ll buy $200 coral, but not a $35-80 heater controller?” logic

People never listen, and they don’t think their 1 or 2 degree swings matter. My tank health pre and post ranco are night and day, temp stability is a huge huge factor to a stable and healthy tank ime.