Stand alone fan controller?

Floyd- · Jul 18, 2023

Is there any options for a stand alone fan controller for a salt water tank? I saw inkbird has a controller with a cooling mode but the probe looks like it wont last in the salt water long at all.

Im only using my Apex for fan control really at this point and want to get rid of it but I need fan control. Living in FL its needed!

Sleeping Giant · Jul 18, 2023

the inkbird probes are good and would do what your wanting

The_Paradox · Jul 18, 2023

Almost any electronic device can hold up to aquarium service if properly prepped. Electrical tape and covers can go a long way towards extending life. I have had an inkbird jammed into one of my smallest cabinets for years and it’s holding up fine.

Floyd- · Jul 18, 2023

Sleeping Giant said:
the inkbird probes are good and would do what your wanting

Model ITC-308?
From what I can see that's the only one they sell with cooling connections.

Sleeping Giant · Jul 18, 2023

Floyd- said:
Model ITC-308?
From what I can see that's the only one they sell with cooling connections.

I have one on my tank for 2.5 years, no issues

exnisstech · Jul 18, 2023

I had the 308 also and just installed a second

Floyd- · Jul 18, 2023

Sleeping Giant said:
I have one on my tank for 2.5 years, no issues

exnisstech said:
I had the 308 also and just installed a second

Two replies! good enough for me to spend the $50 or so for one. Thanks all!

exnisstech · Jul 18, 2023

Floyd- said:
Two replies! good enough for me to spend the $50 or so for one. Thanks all!

I just set up mine so figured I would mention that on the dual unit I could only set temps in 1 degree increments. Ie set temp is 77 when temp teaches 78 fans come on. Temp reaches 76 heat comes on. I know some people are particular about some things and want to be able to control temps in tenths of a degree. Just mentioning this in case you are one of those people

I wouldn't want you to have buyers remorse.

Floyd- · Jul 19, 2023

1 degree is fine by me. I went ahead and ordered it last night.
Cant wait to try it out and ditch the Apex. I thought id use more features but really its just a glorified power switch for me with fan/heater control. I just dont need much on this tiny tank.

Gtinnel · Jul 19, 2023

If you are worried about the probe being metal I believe the ITC-308s has a plastic probe.

ETA- after posting I googled it and apparently the “s” version has a replaceable probe.

Floyd- · Jul 19, 2023

Gtinnel said:
If you are worried about the probe being metal I believe the ITC-308s has a plastic probe. It’s the one I have.

Thats the model I ordered was the ITC-308 and the picture had a metal probe. We shall see once it comes in.

Gtinnel · Jul 19, 2023

Floyd- said:
Thats the model I ordered was the ITC-308 and the picture had a metal probe. We shall see once it comes in.

They make versions of the 308 with plastic probes. I’m curious if the people who said they use the 308 use the one with the plastic probes because that’s what mine has. I had always heard that you can’t put the metal probes directly in the tank, although I have no first hand experience with them. I’ve always bought inkbirds with the plastic probes.

Floyd- · Jul 19, 2023

I see that now. The 308-S has a plastic probe and its removable with a 3.5mm connector. Id rather that than the normal 308 with hardwired metal probe.

exnisstech · Jul 19, 2023

I'm not at home to check if it's an S model or not but the 308 I just installed has a plastic probe.

Floyd- · Jul 19, 2023

exnisstech said:
I'm not at home to check if it's an S model or not but the 308 I just installed has a plastic probe.

Its the S. I stopped the order I placed yesterday and switched it to the S for the plastic probe thats removable.

Sleeping Giant · Jul 19, 2023

I have the metal probe 308, but my 306 has 2 plastic probes.

BZOFIQ · Jul 19, 2023

Ranco makes it. Search on A to Z.

CO2TLEY · Jul 19, 2023

They are correct about only being able to do increments of 1 degree in Fahrenheit. If you switch it to celsius you can decide to cool or heat in increments as small as 0.3 celsius

Floyd- · Jul 19, 2023

CO2TLEY said:
They are correct about only being able to do increments of 1 degree in Fahrenheit. If you switch it to celsius you can decide to cool or heat in increments as small as 0.3 celsius

Not bad at all. Just moving to C you get about double the resolution.

BZOFIQ · Jul 19, 2023

Floyd- said:
Not bad at all. Just moving to C you get about double the resolution.

I never understood why people say that, I think the resolution is worse

For acceptable range of 77-82 Fahrenheit you have fewer degrees on centigrade scale.

Look below.

In other words let's assume acceptable range of 77 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit you can set your controller (with 1 degree resolution) to 77,78,79,80,81 or 82 degrees, that's 6 settings.

For centigrade it's 25,26,27,28, 4 settings (with 28 being outside the range already)

Am I missing something?