Recommendations for heater controllers

[kartrsu]

I’m not liking my BRS controller and titanium heater. Had for a few weeks and saw it did not read temps correctly, and my tank would overheat by a degree or so. I check it with a Hanna handheld as my benchmark. I’d like to keep my temp fluctuations tighter and was wondering if people have recommendations for a good heater controller that isn’t the apex. Tried aquatop too and that is off by 2 degrees.

Thanks!

 

[YankeeTankee]

I’m not liking my BRS controller and titanium heater. Had for a few weeks and saw it did not read temps correctly, and my tank would overheat by a degree or so. I check it with a Hanna handheld as my benchmark. I’d like to keep my temp fluctuations tighter and was wondering if people have recommendations for a good heater controller that isn’t the apex. Tried aquatop too and that is off by 2 degrees.

Thanks!

Ranco with wrapped probe or aqualogic as is. They are basically the same thing.

 

[GCL]

I like my Ranco. I did a fair amount of research before deciding what to get. It’s easy to set up and I have it connected to a fan in summer for cooling.

 

[Hugh Mann]

I'm using an inkbird. Maybe not the greatest for stability, temp has to drop 1f before it turns back on, but it will certainly stop a broken heater from cooking the tank.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I'm using an inkbird. Maybe not the greatest for stability, temp has to drop 1f before it turns back on, but it will certainly stop a broken heater from cooking the tank.

I also like my inkbird. It's good to have a little bit of temperature fluctuation. If you always keep your tank within .1 degree of your target temp then when your controller fails and temp changes by 3 degrees your critters are gonna be shocked.

 

[kartrsu]

Thanks for the responses everyone. The BRS controller is an inkbird, just renamed. I guess I get a little worried with the inkbird because the temp reading will change if I turn off and turn back on the heater. Also, I noticed this morning (coolest time in the house) that the tank heated up to 79.5 when I set it at 78.5. It should shut off the heater when it reaches 78.5. Perhaps the residual heat as the heater turns off may bring it above 78.5, but a whole degree feels too much. FWIW, I'm running a 200W heater for 58G volume. My probe is where the tank drains into the sump and heater element in the return section.

I'll take a look at ranco, but at the end of the day, will these fluctuations from 77.5-79.5 put me in a tough spot for keeping easier SPS (i.e. no acros)?

Thanks!

 

[themcfreak]

What is your range set at? If you have the temp set to 78.5, it will continue heating past that, up to what you have the range set to. If it is set to 1 degree range, then it will go to 79.5 before turning off, and down to 77.5 before turning back on. I set my range to 0.5 degree to minimize that swing. But heating to 79.5 before turning off is not abnormal.

 

[kartrsu]

What is your range set at? If you have the temp set to 78.5, it will continue heating past that, up to what you have the range set to. If it is set to 1 degree range, then it will go to 79.5 before turning off, and down to 77.5 before turning back on. I set my range to 0.5 degree to minimize that swing. But heating to 79.5 before turning off is not abnormal.

I have it set at .03F range.

 

[themcfreak]

The temp was 79.5 per the heater controller, and you have it set to 78.5 with a 0.3 degree swing? possibly a faulty sensor then. I would contact BRS. It comes with a 3 year warranty I think?

 

[Tiki Reef Joshua]

Ranco.

 

[Tiki Reef Joshua]

That swing is fine. It will be the as Ranco probably. Don’t be too fanatical about temp. It’s important but gradual change is no big deal and some would argue good. My swings are from 77.6 to 79.6 and I like it that way. I like my tank to be used to fluctuations. Like an immune system. If it never budged from 78 and things went sideways a degree something might domino. Just my opinion.

 

[Pistondog]

ranko or inkbird, but use eheims for your heater.
Set them to 1 degree above your inkbird, so if the inkbird fails the ehieim will shut itself down.
The eheim uses a bimetallic thermostat, which is the same as a safety switch.