Timfish
Crusty Old Salt
Bayite BC201 has 0.1 F control. I use a little bit of silicone and airline tubing to seal the temp probe. I've also stolen plastic sealed temp probes off cheap tempeture displays to replace failed probes.
temperature controller w/ less than 1 degree precision
- Thread starter SeeFu
- Start date
- Tagged users None
The0wn4g3
Active Member
I went with the component and DIY route because I had such a bad experience with Inkbird. I 100% know my wiring is good, I know my probe specs, and if the controller dies I can throw in a new one. I assume a lot of those Amazon products see very little in terms of QC.
Generally, putting two controllers in-line is not a good idea. If you set them at the same temp they will most likely fight each other, and setting one higher to function as a safety I think you'd be better served wiring a temperature switch to a separate probe, no need for a whole controller.
Do you want the dual control for a fan or chiller?
fuelman
2500 Club Member
The replaceable temp probe from the inkbird works perfectly on the bayite. plug & play. I have 6 of them going right now I cross checked them with both units and a thermometer & also the apex probe on the main DT. It's dead on.
blackstallion
Active Member
- Joined
- May 15, 2020
- Messages
- 462
- Reaction score
- 113
Cooling function will be for fans.
blackstallion
Active Member
- Joined
- May 15, 2020
- Messages
- 462
- Reaction score
- 113
Is the Inkbird temp probe sealed? Can you provide a link, can't seem to find it.
fuelman
2500 Club Member
It's completely covered in plastic looks sealed to me. Here is the same thing just different vendor https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/replacement-probe-for-aquarium-temperature-controllers-inkbird/
Yes there is a Ranco version that Aqua Logic sells. I have been using it and it is very reliable and built like a Tank. It can only do 1 deg deltas at the minimum. I don't know of any that do .1 and IMHO that might not be desirable as your chiller or heater may be going on and off every minute.
Link: Aqua Logic Controllers for SW Aquariums
Last edited:
laverda
2500 Club Member
Why! Why would you want or need to keep the temperature that consistent. The ocean varies way more that that from one moment to the next. To the point you can feel the temp change as your swimming. The only thing you are going to accomplish controlling the temp so tightly is run up your electric bill. Heating or cooling will be on Almost constantly. Monitor and see your results. If any thing when you have a power outage and the temp swings either way it will be more likely to cause a problem as your animals will not be used to any variation. 3 degree daily swings are easily handled and many things do better with larger swings. Seasonal.temperature changes can be significant and are kown to trigger spawning events. The temps can vary wildly in shallow reef areas. We should be striving to achieve as natural an environment as possible for our corals and fish. There is just no reason to go to this extreme.
laverda
2500 Club Member
I seeabunch of people here commenting about their Inkbirds failing. I have never owned one myself, but I suspect one reason some people are having so many failures if setting them to just 0.1 degree variations. Like any switch the more you use it the more likely it is going to fail. If you set it up to allow a variation of say 3 degrees. You heater or chiller may only switch on and off a few times a day. I know my fans typically only switch on and off 1-2 times a day. If I set them to try and control my tank to with in 0.1 degrees they would be switching on and off hundreds or possibly a thousand times a day. This would greatly reduce the life exptancy of the controller and the equipment it is controlling. It would also be super sensitive to where the temp probe is placed.
MikeTheNewbie
Active Member
I think that the shrink tube would diminish the precision of the controller.Heat Shrink is an option (see link below). I coated my stainless steel probe with clear 100% silicon. It has held up well for the last few months. Just put some on my finger and spread an even coat all over the probe, let dry for 48 hours, and put it in the tank.
Thermal Well For Aquariums - 3/8" Clear Heat Shrink Tubing
www.rancoetc.com
This would depend on the thickness of the material and the thermal properties but in one way or another I'm positive that it would affect the function of the controller.
I wonder what would be the point of getting a more precise controller if the probe will be made less sensitive by adding a layer of isolation?
It would be interesting to see a comparison with and without the shrink tube.
Karliefish
Well-Known Member
which ranco model are you using?Heat Shrink is an option (see link below). I coated my stainless steel probe with clear 100% silicon. It has held up well for the last few months. Just put some on my finger and spread an even coat all over the probe, let dry for 48 hours, and put it in the tank.
Thermal Well For Aquariums - 3/8" Clear Heat Shrink Tubing
Karliefish
Well-Known Member
which model number are you using?
Karliefish
Well-Known Member
T which model # ranco are you using?Get rid of the Inkbird and get a Ranco, you won't regret it. Be sure to apply heat shrink to the probe for use in saltwater, instructions are on the Ranco website. Or, if you're DIY savvy, you can use an STC-1000. I went this route and see about a 0.2 degree celcius swing in a 24 hour period.
How to Build a Temperature Controller
A temperature controller is a must-have piece of homebrew equipment, and building your own temperature controller is cheap and easy!www.homebrewersassociation.org
Karliefish
Well-Known Member
that would be greatly appreciated - thanks
