Temperature Controllers

stevo01 · Nov 18, 2016

I have a Finnex controller in my 20 gallon. I like this controller a lot, but its only got one outlet.

Finnex Max-300 Digital Aquarium Heater Controller https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007480AP6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_EaWlybVJK1222

I am going to put two 300w Jager's in the 525XL. I will have an APEX or GHL reef controller running the system. Ive always been a fan of multiple point failure systems, so I want to put a heater controller in this system as well. Since Ill have two heaters ill want a dual outlet controller. Id like to have some feedback as to what members are using. I found this one that is dual.

Inkbird Pre-Wired Dual Stage Digital Temperature Controller Outlet Thermostat 110V, 1000W Heating and Cooling for Fermentation Kegerator ect https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015E2UFGM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_HiWlybVC6EGXT

reeferfoxx · Nov 18, 2016

Dual outlets? What if the one controller goes bad?

stevo01 · Nov 18, 2016

reeferfoxx said:
Dual outlets? What if the one controller goes bad?

So from what ive read that will almost never happen. This is why One would want a multi point failure system in place.

The heater would have to fail AND the controller, AND the reef controller.

Squirrel_reefer · Nov 18, 2016

I have had two inkbirds on two separate tanks, no issues with either and the price point makes it an easy pill to swallow. I will probably never buy anything else because I can't find a way to justify it

you could buy an extra one just in case and still not come close to other controllers

alyee5 · Nov 18, 2016

I think reeferfoxx meant would u even want 2 heaters in one controller. If you used 2 separate controllers then if one went bad u would still have a functioning heater. I also have my finned plugged into my Apex for redundancy, but I do not have a second heater (yet) it will be good to hear what others say.

alyee5 · Nov 18, 2016

Finnex not "finned"

dragon99 · Nov 18, 2016

You should also look into the Ranco ETC-111000. Very dependable temp controller. I've been using 2 for homebrewing for ~4yrs without a hiccup.

stevo01 · Nov 18, 2016

dragon99 said:
You should also look into the Ranco ETC-111000. Very dependable temp controller. I've been using 2 for homebrewing for ~4yrs without a hiccup.

A fellow brewmaster

stunreefer · Nov 18, 2016

We have dozens of dual-stage Rancos in the field. They're fantastic, and if sourced from aquarium supplier come with a saltwater safe temp probe.

jason2459 · Nov 18, 2016

I use two ranco's myself. Two heaters and two ranco's one for each heater. Very dependable. I just coat the temp probe with silicone.

ngvu1 · Nov 18, 2016

I used the cheap st-1000 for 3+ years before switching and it was great. Still in working order just not being used atm!

reeferfoxx · Nov 18, 2016

I mean just in case of lighting strike or power surge, having two controllers vs one might increase redundancy?

jason2459 · Nov 18, 2016

reeferfoxx said:
I mean just in case of lighting strike or power surge, having two controllers vs one might increase redundancy?

Failure will happen at some point. This applies to everything. Redundancy is always good. Either actively in place like dual controllers, dual circuits, etc or stand by like an extra pump or heater on a shelf.

But for surges I highly recommend a whole home surge protector and/or surge protectors at the outlet. Which this also leads into a whole other can of worms dealing with electricity and safety. It's totally off topic but I believe safety is very important and worth a quick detour.

copy paste from another thread I posted in revolving around electricity:
I would also suggest a CACFI along with GFCI

CAFCI will help protect your house from fire
GFCI will help protect you from electrocution

And a good surge protector will help protect your equipment.

Individual one shown above. Tripplite makes some good ones.

Plus a whole home. None last forever and will need replaced eventually based on how many surges and intensity of surges they've been hit by. Surges can come from outside your home, not just lightening strikes, and from inside the home.

Eaton Ultra and SquareD hepd80 are a couple good whole home surge protectors.

Plus having more then one circuit with life support spread across them. I have two additional circuits then what's pictured above to my main tank on the first floor with GFCI at the receptacles so its easier to reset them if tripped. Then the two shown in the picture above go to my basement sump with the GFCI at the breaker. Along with being a CAFCI. There are also AFCI breakers but don't protect against as many arc faults as a CAFCI.

And don't get confused by combination AFCI (CAFCI). That doesn't mean it combines GFCI with it. The packaging has to specify GFCI as well to support both CAFCI and GFCI. Sometimes called dual.

And CAFCI protects against both of these where AFCI only parallel

stevo01 · Nov 18, 2016

There was an article written somewhere about it. Each time you add a fail safe your chance of failure is reduced, but I believe there is a point it becomes over redundant.

Anyone correct me if im wrong here.

1.Both heaters would need to fail in the on position at the same time.
2.Dual outlet heater controller needs to fail.
3.Reef controller needs to fail.

This would all have to occur simulataniously for there to be catastrophic failure due to overheating = an almost impossible situation.

alyee5 · Nov 18, 2016

stunreefer said:
We have dozens of dual-stage Rancos in the field. They're fantastic, and if sourced from aquarium supplier come with a saltwater safe temp probe.

Do you happen to have a link to a reef safe Ranco online supplier? Thx