Don't shoot, Lets talk Heater Controllers

[BrianneG]

I tried searching past posts and didn't really get an answer for my question.
I am looking at heater controllers and see there are a few on the market. I currently have an Inkbird in my shopping cart, but want to know what others think about a couple of the other brands out there?

Inkbird
Innovative Marine's Helio Controller
Reef Factory

I have a 115 gallon acrylic tank, Going to run a 300w main and a 300w backup. Want to have an alarm sound if either fails. Thinking main running at 78 degrees F and then the back up running at 76 degrees F? Do the above numbers sound right?
Should I put one at 79 and the backup at 77?

 

[Reef Wizard]

I tried searching past posts and didn't really get an answer for my question.
I am looking at heater controllers and see there are a few on the market. I currently have an Inkbird in my shopping cart, but want to know what others think about a couple of the other brands out there?

Inkbird
Innovative Marine's Helio Controller
Reef Factory

I have a 115 gallon acrylic tank, Going to run a 300w main and a 300w backup. Want to have an alarm sound if either fails. Thinking main running at 78 degrees F and then the back up running at 76 degrees F? Do the above numbers sound right?
Should I put one at 79 and the backup at 77?

Hydros and APEX have controllers
Not sure much of any others myself

 

[Oldreefer44]

Use Helio as primary and Inkbird as a backup. Keeps my 180 within .1degrees

 

[joeyhatch11]

.

 

[Bruttall]

I run mine thru my Apex, 2x 500wattt heaters controlled by my Temp probe to keep tank between 78.5 and 79 degrees F.

I used an Inkbird, it was OK, but the Apex is way better IMO.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I'll be using an Inkbird when I launch.

 

[X-37B]

I have 3 Auqa logic controllers on my 3 systems.

 

[joeyhatch11]

I'll be using an Inkbird when I launch.

Same Amazon, $35 cant beat them.

 

[KStatefan]

I run two Ranco controllers on my tank on two separate electrical circuits. My primary is set with a 1° F differential and the secondary is set to 2° differential so it only comes on if the primary will not keep up either from a failure or abnormal heat loss event.

I do not know your tank heatloss but 600 watts seems like to much heater.

I will not have not have a heater not on a Ranco controller. I use them at work on chillers in a dirty weld environment and they are very robust.

 

[Reefer Matt]

I use heaters with a built in thermostat. Then they get backed up by a controller that is set two degrees higher. The heaters are set at 78F, the controllers 80F. That way if the heaters fail on, they will be shut off. I can see the temperature graphs on my Apex, and can spot when a heater fails. If they fail off, the temp will lower and trigger an alarm. I used inkbird controllers before I got an Apex with no problems. I had five of them.

 

[RWReefer]

I run two Ranco controllers on my tank on two separate electrical circuits. My primary is set with a 1° F differential and the secondary is set to 2° differential so it only comes on if the primary will not keep up either from a failure or abnormal heat loss event.

I do not know your tank heatloss but 600 watts seems like to much heater.

I will not have not have a heater not on a Ranco controller. I use them at work on chillers in a dirty weld environment and they are very robust.

Hey there, jumping on to ask you a question regarding the Rancos. If I understand correctly you’re setting the temperatures the same between the two controllers, and just adjusting the differential to control when the secondary kicks on? Where do you have your temperatures probes homed?

 

[Arkayology]

I have a Helio with x2 100w BRS titanium heaters set to 78. I love it - it keeps the temp super solid. I have the Helio plugged into my Hydros Launch for added redundancy. Not really needed though, but nice to have.

 

[rtparty]

Aqua Logic are the best on the market by a mile. They are rebranded RANCO controllers with a titanium probe that is safe for saltwater.

Heaters being stuck on is one of the top reasons for failures in this hobby. I’ve seen failures from almost every brand except the Ranco controllers. Well worth the investment IMO

 

[exnisstech]

I currently have 3 inkbirds running. I've been running them for years. I had one fail a few years back but can't remember exactly what the failure was but it wasn't catastrophic.

 

[KStatefan]

Hey there, jumping on to ask you a question regarding the Rancos. If I understand correctly you’re setting the temperatures the same between the two controllers, and just adjusting the differential to control when the secondary kicks on? Where do you have your temperatures probes homed?

That is correct. Both set to 78° F primary will turn on when the temp drops to 77 and the secondary 76.The probes are in the sump in the same body of water as the heaters.

 

[FernBluffReef]

I have Helios with redundant heaters in both of my tanks. Temps stay very steady. Quite content