Sump cooling fan?

[Philipgonzales3]

~50 gallon total volume of DT and sump.

What do you think? Yay or Nay?

https://www.ebay.com/p/US-Aquarium-...or-240l-Fish-Tank/9017743259?iid=312530034500

I live in Texas and want to make sure my tank is cool enough in the summer. If too hot I may get a chiller but thought I'd start with some fans. Any tips/advice? Good controller to pair with? I can also run it scheduled via a smart plug/timer?

 

[Hemmdog]

~50 gallon total volume of DT and sump.

What do you think? Yay or Nay?

https://www.ebay.com/p/US-Aquarium-...or-240l-Fish-Tank/9017743259?iid=312530034500

I live in Texas and want to make sure my tank is cool enough in the summer. If too hot I may get a chiller but thought I'd start with some fans. Any tips/advice? Good controller to pair with? I can also run it scheduled via a smart plug/timer?

I don’t see any cons to it other than a little more evaporation. Go for it! Good temp control is ranco. They have hot and cold ones. Etc supply or something I think is the site where they come with plugs.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

I don’t see any cons to it other than a little more evaporation. Go for it! Good temp control is ranco. They have hot and cold ones. Etc supply or something I think is the site where they come with plugs.

This one right?

http://www.rancoetc.com/ranco-etc-211000-000-2-stage-prewired-temperature-controller

 

[Hemmdog]

This one right?

http://www.rancoetc.com/ranco-etc-211000-000-2-stage-prewired-temperature-controller

Yea. That’s the most legit temp controller money can buy.

 

[redfishbluefish]

This one right?

http://www.rancoetc.com/ranco-etc-211000-000-2-stage-prewired-temperature-controller

Why two stage? This one controls both heating and cooling. Now that's OK if you want to control both your heaters and these cooling fans. But if your interest is just controlling these fans, the less than 50 dollar single stage controller will do the trick.

That said, if you have a tank controller, no additional controller is needed.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Yea. That’s the most legit temp controller money can buy.

Ok perfect. Thanks!

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Why two stage? This one controls both heating and cooling. Now that's OK if you want to control both your heaters and these cooling fans. But if your interest is just controlling these fans, the less than 50 dollar single stage controller will do the trick.

That said, if you have a tank controller, no additional controller is needed.

I don't currently have a controller for the heater. I had bought an inkbird but after reading how it drifts I opted for no temp controller to start with.

 

[redfishbluefish]

The biggest problem with either Inkbird or Ranco is the probe. You need to get a probe that is truly saltwater proof. The "electronics" of either Inkbird or Ranco are spot-on....both are excellent controllers.....it boils down to the probe.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

The biggest problem with either Inkbird or Ranco is the probe. You need to get a probe that is truly saltwater proof. The "electronics" of either Inkbird or Ranco are spot-on....both are excellent controllers.....it boils down to the probe.

So will the ranco with the added shrink wrap be saltwater proof?

 

[Hemmdog]

The biggest problem with either Inkbird or Ranco is the probe. You need to get a probe that is truly saltwater proof. The "electronics" of either Inkbird or Ranco are spot-on....both are excellent controllers.....it boils down to the probe.

What probe would you recommend?

 

[redfishbluefish]

So will the ranco with the added shrink wrap be saltwater proof?

What probe would you recommend?

I don't know! I've recently starting looking for a back-up to my current probe that is over 13 years old. I wanted it just to have it. These use to be relatively easy to find. My first preliminary look, the only thing I was really finding were stainless steel probes. I've never tried one of these, so I don't know how they would hold up. But I will tell you that other stainless stuff I have doesn't look good. My current one is covered with plastic/rubber....and again, over 13 years old. It looks just like this one, but this one had the wrong electrical specs.

So I'm passively looking. If you find something in your searching, please let us know, and I'll do the same.

 

[mattzang]

I'm also going the fan route this summer.. I wonder how much they can really cool... couple of degrees? several degrees?

 

[Philipgonzales3]

I don't know! I've recently starting looking for a back-up to my current probe that is over 13 years old. I wanted it just to have it. These use to be relatively easy to find. My first preliminary look, the only thing I was really finding were stainless steel probes. I've never tried one of these, so I don't know how they would hold up. But I will tell you that other stainless stuff I have doesn't look good. My current one is covered with plastic/rubber....and again, over 13 years old. It looks just like this one, but this one had the wrong electrical specs.

So I'm passively looking. If you find something in your searching, please let us know, and I'll do the same.

So we are looking for something like this?

http://www.hobbytronics.co.uk/ds18b20-waterproof-temperature-sensor

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Or this one?

https://www.littlebird.com.au/temperature-sensor-waterproof-ds18b20

 

[KrisReef]

https://www.instructables.com/id/ElectricalHousehold-Shrink-Wrap-For-Free/

I saw a Ranco that someone modded by putting the probe into what looked like a plastic straw and using a seal a meal on the lower end to close it so the end was in a waterproof sleeve. The up wire end wasn't sealed at all, so it was made to submerge the tip but not deeper than 6 inches or so.

 

[redfishbluefish]

So we are looking for something like this?

http://www.hobbytronics.co.uk/ds18b20-waterproof-temperature-sensor

Or this one?

https://www.littlebird.com.au/temperature-sensor-waterproof-ds18b20

Is this a trip around the world for suppliers of this probe? :eek::D:D:D

Here's a US supplier for that particular probe:

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11050

And I unfortunately can't tell you if that's the "one." The reason is that I'm not sure if the electrical mumbo jumbo is what is needed for the controller. It might be, but I know more about brain surgery than electronics!

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Is this a trip around the world for suppliers of this probe? :eek::D:D:D

Here's a US supplier for that particular probe:

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11050

And I unfortunately can't tell you if that's the "one." The reason is that I'm not sure if the electrical mumbo jumbo is what is needed for the controller. It might be, but I know more about brain surgery than electronics!

https://www.instructables.com/id/ElectricalHousehold-Shrink-Wrap-For-Free/

I saw a Ranco that someone modded by putting the probe into what looked like a plastic straw and using a seal a meal on the lower end to close it so the end was in a waterproof sleeve. The up wire end wasn't sealed at all, so it was made to submerge the tip but not deeper than 6 inches or so.

I saw that link after I posted. I just went with whatever results were at the top of Google. Maybe this is a sign I need to travel a bit!

I went ahead and went with the 2 foot shrink wrapped option. Hopefully the stock probe is just fine. @Hemmdog Or anyone else reading this have this unit already with the stock probe and how long have you been running it?

 

[Why-Me]

I saw someone make a homemade temp probe saltwater proof. He used epoxy resin I believe.

 

[redfishbluefish]

You've sparked my curiosity on renewing my search for a back-up probe....I've just ordered THIS ONE at 2 meters for $3.29. Going to take a month or so to get here. Who knows if it will work.....wait and see.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

You've sparked my curiosity on renewing my search for a back-up probe....I've just ordered THIS ONE at 2 meters for $3.29. Going to take a month or so to get here. Who knows if it will work.....wait and see.

I would have spent the $1.80 extra to ensure it arrived within a couple of weeks. Regardless let us know how that works out!