Temperature controller suggestion

[cjfishbone]

I'm looking for an affordable and dependable temperature controller to use for my classroom aquarium until we can afford an Apex controller. We are using an Eheim Jager 200W heater on a system with 80 gallons of total water volume. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I would suggest a Inkbird controller, but my experience with one wasn't a very good one. It would drift in temperature.

A ranco temp controller is a better choice.

 

[mtraylor]

Personally if you are saving for an Apex, I would just rely on the temp control on the eheim until you save up for the Apex and save yourself some money. They are pretty solid heaters. I understand the double protection, but it would be a waste of money if you have plans on Apex. After all the controller is only backup anyway or first line of defense and the heater controller is the backup depending on how you set it up.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Personally if you are saving for an Apex, I would just rely on the temp control on the eheim until you save up for the Apex and save yourself some money. They are pretty solid heaters. I understand the double protection, but it would be a waste of money if you have plans on Apex. After all the controller is only backup anyway or first line of defense and the heater controller is the backup depending on how you set it up.

I would hate to say " it really depends on what's being kept in the tank" to make that decision. Any redundancy is better.

Any heater can fail and stick on.

It's a matter of personal choice and piece of mind. I always advocate redundancy when talking heaters.

Another way to approach this would be to have two smaller heaters. That way if one fails on, the other wouldn't kick on and give you some time to react. Better than nothing.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Inkbird is a good choice. I use them for my quarantine tanks (apex on the main tank).

 

[ca1ore]

I’m afraid my experience with the inkbirds necessitates adding ‘st’ to the beginning of the name. Both of mine drifted significantly. They are cheap, so I guess I got what I paid for. IMO/E, the Ranco is a much better and long proven controller .... almost double the price though.

 

[ReeferReefer]

I had a good experience with the Inkbird before I got an Apex.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Yes, like I said, when I would check the Inkbird against a calibrated fluke temperature meter, it would be off as much as a whole degree. I would adjust the Inkbird calibration to reflect the drift and a week later it would be off again.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Seems like a faulty unit to me. Mine kept constant temp just fine.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Seems like a faulty unit to me. Mine kept constant temp just fine.

Could be.

 

[5altkreep]

I've had decent luck with my ink bird, and 2 years later it seems to be on point with the Apex. The only thing that worries me is the probe on the inkbird. I was worried about corrosion so I put a thin layer of silicone it. Seems to be holding up well, but I have to remind myself to inspect it every so often.

 

[jda]

Even a drifting inkbird is better than nothing... you can deal with a slow drift and recalibrate/change it.

As mentioned a bunch, Ranco is the gold standard... significantly more reliable than a hobby aquarium controller probe.

You can see if you can get lucky and find an old Medusa. These are hard to find, but cheap when you do. You can reset the temp probe too.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Even a drifting inkbird is better than nothing... you can deal with a slow drift and recalibrate/change it.

As mentioned a bunch, Ranco is the gold standard... significantly more reliable than a hobby aquarium controller probe.

You can see if you can get lucky and find an old Medusa. These are hard to find, but cheap when you do. You can reset the temp probe too.

My inbird went so far out of calibration, that I couldn't stop it from alarming! Ugh!

 

[reefwiser]

Ranco controller solid and simple.
Just works and works

 

[Coach v]

Even a drifting inkbird is better than nothing... you can deal with a slow drift and recalibrate/change it.

As mentioned a bunch, Ranco is the gold standard... significantly more reliable than a hobby aquarium controller probe.

You can see if you can get lucky and find an old Medusa. These are hard to find, but cheap when you do. You can reset the temp probe too.

I have an older Medusa It was solid until I started getting funky readings from temp probe How do you reset or replace temp probe

 

[Dburr1014]

Hmm, my inkbird drifted also. Water felt cold the other day... 9 degrees it was off. May look into a ranco

 

[ramabama]

Used Inkbird for well over a year with no issues

 

[ingchr1]

The Cobalt Neo-Stat is another option to look into.
https://www.amazon.com/Cobalt-Aquatics-Controller-Aquariums-Terrariums/dp/B00CDKH27Y

 

[AquaDaddy]

I'm currently looking into this option as well. I will be running two 500W finnex heaters. They don't have internal control, but will be putting them on apex, however, I'd like a second level of protection. On my other tank, I currently use two finnex controllers and those have worked well, but considering new options. I don't love the look of the inkbird 308's, but don't mind the look of the built in type ones. It seems the wiring is pretty straightforward and I can get whatever probe I want. I also have looked at the Ranco, but which model are folks using? Is there one model that can control 2 heaters?

 

[shoggoth43]

I just wired a quad outlet box onto mine. I run 500W on it but it should be good for double that at least. Got it from Jehmco.

I'm currently looking into this option as well. I will be running two 500W finnex heaters. They don't have internal control, but will be putting them on apex, however, I'd like a second level of protection. On my other tank, I currently use two finnex controllers and those have worked well, but considering new options. I don't love the look of the inkbird 308's, but don't mind the look of the built in type ones. It seems the wiring is pretty straightforward and I can get whatever probe I want. I also have looked at the Ranco, but which model are folks using? Is there one model that can control 2 heaters?