Need recommendations on Heater Controller

[Mmcghee102485]

Having problems with my BRS controller. Temp swings of 2-3 degrees. I have a 300w BRS heater and it works good. I just want to replace the controller and need some recommendations. I have a apex that will be back up...Thanks!

 

[BighohoReef]

Why not use the apex as the primary? I have both my BRS heaters running off of it feels like I have better control and the fall back option makes me feel safer. Whether that’s true or not.

There were a few Amazon after market plugs but really I’m not sure I trust the China made stuff.

Interested to know where you end up, always looking for backup options.

 

[Reef.]

I use an inkbird, it has 2 temp probes in case one fails, you can set it to control to 0.3c, I believe there is another one that has 1 probe but goes down to 0.1c, I’ve only had it for around 6 months but no issues with it.

 

[Hemmdog]

Ranco is the way to go. Industrial grade. I never swing even one degree F.

 

[Mmcghee102485]

Why not use the apex as the primary? I have both my BRS heaters running off of it feels like I have better control and the fall back option makes me feel safer. Whether that’s true or not.

There were a few Amazon after market plugs but really I’m not sure I trust the China made stuff.

Interested to know where you end up, always looking for backup options.

I saw a video I think on BRS and tips on here that using the apex as primary control will eventually wear out the apex power bar. Wether that’s true or not I can’t say from experience. But I like the idea of burning out a controller rather then my apex.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I use the wifi inkbird. Temp swings 1-2 degrees but it’s not enough to upset my animals. Takes a long time to swing a degree in my tank, like 4-6 hours.

 

[Mmcghee102485]

I use an inkbird, it has 2 temp probes in case one fails, you can set it to control to 0.3c, I believe there is another one that has 1 probe but goes down to 0.1c, I’ve only had it for around 6 months but no issues with it.

Is the BRS controller a inkbird? Thought it was but not 100% sure

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Is the BRS controller a inkbird? Thought it was but not 100% sure

Yes It is made by inkbird

 

[Mmcghee102485]

Ranco is the way to go. Industrial grade. I never swing even one degree F.

Would you mind sharing a link to the one you have? Appreciate your help.

 

[Reef.]

I use the wifi inkbird. Temp swings 1-2 degrees but it’s not enough to upset my animals. Takes a long time to swing a degree in my tank, like 4-6 hours.

1 or 2 is a lot, I don’t mean for the fish or corals but the inkbird should have a less swing than that.
does your room fluctuate a lot? Is the heater the correct size?

 

[Hemmdog]

It’s out of stock but this is the site I ordered mine from.
https://www.morebeer.com/products/ranco-digital-temperature-controller-wired.html

 

[BighohoReef]

I saw a video I think on BRS and tips on here that using the apex as primary control will eventually wear out the apex power bar. Wether that’s true or not I can’t say from experience. But I like the idea of burning out a controller rather then my apex.

I agree with you, now that you mention it I remember watching that as well but I also remember being able to reduce the wear. Regardless a dedicated control is probably the better approach. In terms of the controllers I looked at with the best reviews.
Ink bird seems to be the next best followed by. The Finnex controllers. I saw someone mentioned Rancor haven’t checked that out yet.

 

[Mmcghee102485]

It’s out of stock but this is the site I ordered mine from.
https://www.morebeer.com/products/ranco-digital-temperature-controller-wired.html

Thank you!

 

[NowGlazeIT]

1 or 2 is a lot, I don’t mean for the fish or corals but the inkbird should have a less swing than that.
does your room fluctuate a lot? Is the heater the correct size?

It is the control. Not the most reliable. When it first arrived the controller only swung half a degree. But upon daily inspection using other thermometers, I found that the controller will get stuck on a temperature while others read the current rising/declining temp. The other thermometers move a tenth of a degree consistently, where this inkbird gets stuck and then jumps a degree or two.

 

[Mmcghee102485]

I have a 300w BRS says it good up to 100 gallons. I have a 95 gallon total water volume not including the displacement from sand/rock. Do you guys think that’s to big of a heater?

 

[Reef.]

It is the control. Not the most reliable. When it first arrived the controller only swung half a degree. But upon daily inspection using other thermometers, I found that the controller will get stuck on a temperature while others read the current rising/declining temp. The other thermometers move a tenth of a degree constantly where this inkbird gets stuck then jumps a degree or two.

I’ll best keep an eye on mine then, thanks for the heads up.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I’ll best keep an eye on mine then, thanks for the heads up.

Yea by looking at the controller you couldn’t tell anything is off because it does it’s job. It turns on when it reads low temp then turns off when it reads your desired temp. BUT the probes are not the most accurate. Far from it because checking against a few cheap thermometers, shows how inconsistent the inkbird really is. Hence why many apex owners are bagging on them lately hah.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I have a 300w BRS says it good up to 100 gallons. I have a 95 gallon total water volume not including the displacement from sand/rock. Do you guys think that’s to big of a heater?

No I don’t think that is too big

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ranko one of the Best. I use an Inkbird and am very happy with it especially for the cost

 

[Reef.]

Yea by looking at the controller you couldn’t tell anything is off because it does it’s job. It turns on when it reads low temp then turns off when it reads your desired temp. BUT the probes are not the most accurate. Far from it because checking against a few cheap thermometers, shows how inconsistent the inkbird really is. Hence why many apex owners are bagging on them lately hah.

worth mentioning on this thread too, the inkbird I have has to be the one to control the temp, I was wanting the heater thermostat to control the temp and only have the inkbird step in if the heater failed, but for some reason inkbird has added a function that has to be set, if the set temp on the inkbird is not met within a range of around 2-72 hours, it turns the heater off, you can’t turn this option off! I think that is only on the 2 probe model.
I’m set my heater to just above the inkbird temp, so if the inkbird fails the heater should cut off.