Temperature controller

[BC1906]

Hey everyone,

So my BioCube has been running a little hot lately (around 82f) so I bought a clip on desk fan to help keep it cool in the Florida heat. I installed the fan yesterday and it helped bring the temperature down however, I left it running overnight by mistake and it dropped the temp down to 70f. I am looking for a cheap temperature controller that I can plug the fan into and have it turn on and off at a certain water temp. I did some research but there are so many different kinds and some are just way too expensive. Can anyone recommend a budget friendly temperature controller? Preferably under $50

 

[jsker]

The least expensive option would to keep a heater in your system, and when the temperature drops below your temperature range the heater clicks in to maintains proper temperature for the tank:)

 

[Alanc425]

I used this for my tank with the heater temp control as a back up. Worked out pretty well for the price. The only downside was that the probe temp was off from my others and there is no way to calibrate it so I had to match the probe to my other thermometers.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Therm...t-Incubator-Aquarium-/121527116289?nav=SEARCH

Edit: And when I meant off it was off by 2 degrees...which is what most of my different thermometers vary by lol

 

[Thomas Gregory]

You could also run a reefkeeper lite. you can get it for $99 when they have sales but it will be able to do all the basics for you. you can even set up an ATO with it.


http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reefkeeper-lite-basic-digital-aquatics.html

 

[lion king]

For about $30 you can do a diy temp controller that controls your heater and fans. I've built them for my 4 current tanks and am building another one for my 5th. You can search stc-1000 build instructions or wiring diagram to see how easy it is; start with these on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/111921358255?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT and
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111921358255?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
and get a couple of outlets from home depot or whenever, I'm sure you have a plug somewhere you can cannibalize and some wire.
You set the desired temp and the range you what, the controller turns your fans or heaters on and keep your temp within that range. I run dual heaters and a fan or dual fans on all my tanks.

 

[BC1906]

The least expensive option would to keep a heater in your system, and when the temperature drops below your temperature range the heater clicks in to maintains proper temperature for the tank:)

Yeah that's what I was thinking but I have a aquamaxx hob-1 in chamber 1 so I don't think it will fit in there and I didn't want to put it directly in the tank. I'll have to figure that out when it's start to get cooler out.

For about $30 you can do a diy temp controller that controls your heater and fans. I've built them for my 4 current tanks and am building another one for my 5th. You can search stc-1000 build instructions or wiring diagram to see how easy it is; start with these on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/111921358255?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT and
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111921358255?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
and get a couple of outlets from home depot or whenever, I'm sure you have a plug somewhere you can cannibalize and some wire.
You set the desired temp and the range you what, the controller turns your fans or heaters on and keep your temp within that range. I run dual heaters and a fan or dual fans on all my tanks.

I will definitely look into this. Not trying to be super cheap but i don't see spending $100+ on a controller for a $15 fan that I will only use half the year.

 

[rgaston]

This temp controller is really great. I made one almost two years ago. There are a number of You Tube videos that give clear detail about how to do this.

 

[BC1906]

This temp controller is really great. I made one almost two years ago. There are a number of You Tube videos that give clear detail about how to do this.

Which one?

 

[rgaston]

The video I used to make mine was at the following link

 

[Bunnee911]

I have a muffin fan on the back compartment of my BC29. I just ordered a st-1000. My heater runs some with my fan going all the time.

 

[ReeferReefer]

I used an ink bird controller before my apex. Here is the link. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B011...controller&dpPl=1&dpID=41-5oojEbvL&ref=plSrch you should be running a heater anyways.

 

[BC1906]

I used an ink bird controller before my apex. Here is the link. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B011...controller&dpPl=1&dpID=41-5oojEbvL&ref=plSrch you should be running a heater anyways.

I like that one and for the price you can't beat it. I moved the outflow on the skimmer and was able to put the heater back in now.

 

[Daniel Waters]

Run the fan on a timer to keep the tank cooler while your lights are on (and producing more heat). Then add a heater in case the tank temperature drops too much from the fan during the day. If you're worried about the heater getting stuck in the "on" position and cooking your tank, you could add a cheaper controller like the Finnex Digital Heater Temperature Controller for $45 - $50 versus an APEX or similar controller.

 

[Big Salty]

Hey everyone,

So my BioCube has been running a little hot lately (around 82f) so I bought a clip on desk fan to help keep it cool in the Florida heat. I installed the fan yesterday and it helped bring the temperature down however, I left it running overnight by mistake and it dropped the temp down to 70f. I am looking for a cheap temperature controller that I can plug the fan into and have it turn on and off at a certain water temp. I did some research but there are so many different kinds and some are just way too expensive. Can anyone recommend a budget friendly temperature controller? Preferably under $50

Although not your conventional tank controller checkout inkbird controller on Amazon $25 can't beat it it's got a hot and cold outlet for heater and fan or a chiller alarms I use one on mine as a fail safe for my heater great investment! And the options are awesome best bang for your buck

 

[SeaDweller]

Get a Ranco temp controller. $50.

Amazon sells one called inkbird but I don't know how well it works. The Reef keepers are nice, but at half the cost, Ranco works well, for myself included.

 

[sundog101]

+1 ranco

 

[pugcrush]

I didn't see it asked. How are you measuring temp? It feels hard to believe that the fan brought it down 12 degrees. Are you running the biocube topless?

 

[cmcoker]

I built a inkbird controller for my quarantine, have a thread in the diy section. Cost me about $40

https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/253261/

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Another Ranco fan here... I have 4 and couple of them are about 15 years old. The other two are about 10 years old.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Get a Ranco temp controller. $50.

Amazon sells one called inkbird but I don't know how well it works. The Reef keepers are nice, but at half the cost, Ranco works well, for myself included.

Inkbird works well but I am sure there are better ones out there. I used mine for about 4 months with no problems until I replaced it with an Apex. A reef keeper gives much more added functionality than a temp controller for double the cost. I wouldn't personally run my main system without a controller but I still use the Inkbird for my qt