Who out there is using a Bayite controller....

[dougers31]

And did you have to make any modifications to the probe etc? Sounds like lots of reefers are using them for controlling heating/cooling and just wondering what their experience is using them. Thinking about going with this one below but could use any and all input before making a decision.

Thanks!!!

 

[jsker]

Let find someone for you:)

 

[dougers31]

Late night reefer bump :)

 

[dougers31]

Anyone??? I might just go ahead and buy it and then find a way to protect the temperature probe from saltwater.

 

[dougers31]

Someone's got to be using one of these... Anybody have advice on what might be the best way to protect the(apparently not saltwater safe) temp probe?? I have some ideas but would like others experience/opinions.

 

[jda]

Get a Ranco. Excellent service record and plenty of people use them so you can get help.

 

[jd371]

Anyone??? I might just go ahead and buy it and then find a way to protect the temperature probe from saltwater.

Following. I'm in need of a controller for both heating and cooling. I'm setting up a small nem tank so I can move a rock with a bunch of RBTA's from the main tank. The tank is in my workshop that also has the heating system for the house and is located in a room in the back of the house that you access from the outside. Because of the boiler being in the same room the temperature stays around 76-79 degrees. There are times during the summer months when it can get above 80 degrees in that room, and during the winter months if I mistakenly leave the door open the temperature in the room can dip down to the high 60's. I have a Ranco but I need something to control the heater and a fan.

 

[dantimdad]

Use plain old pvc heat shrink.

Melt the end closed like a sock and run a piece long enough to be above the water line.

Shrink it. Then calibrate it because it will be off a bit.

I would use an IR thermometer or, in my case a fluke digital MM with a temp probe. It's more accurate than anything I have seen.

If you look at the Ranco website, they sell the heatshrink because their probe isn't saltwater safe either.

All of the failures of the inkbirds I would bet are from the probes not being sealed properly.

 

[dantimdad]

http://www.rancoetc.com/thermal-well-for-aquariums-38-clear-pvc-heat-shrink-tubing

 

[dougers31]

Use plain old pvc heat shrink.

Melt the end closed like a sock and run a piece long enough to be above the water line.

Shrink it. Then calibrate it because it will be off a bit.

I would use an IR thermometer or, in my case a fluke digital MM with a temp probe. It's more accurate than anything I have seen.

If you look at the Ranco website, they sell the heatshrink because their probe isn't saltwater safe either.

All of the failures of the inkbirds I would bet are from the probes not being sealed properly.

Thank you. This is the kind of information I was looking for and I've heard heat shrink was an option but just wanted to reinforce what I had heard. I have also heard some people coating it in reef safe silicone. Ranco is more expensive and as far as I know only does one thing. This unit has great reviews on Amazon for accuracy and maybe a viable option for those with low budget systems. If anyone else has experience with these controllers please chime in.

 

[lactose]

Use plain old pvc heat shrink.

Melt the end closed like a sock and run a piece long enough to be above the water line.

Shrink it. Then calibrate it because it will be off a bit.

I have one of these on every heater I have on my tanks. I did effectively exactly what the poster above said although I don't recall where I got the PVC shrink tube.

for redundancy I have these set, programmed and then plugged into an apex outlet which itself is programmed to make sure the temperature doesn't run over high.

For example, my Apex is set to shut off the outlet if it gets over 80 and the controller itself is programmed to 78.5

They've worked great for me so I have no complaints.

 

[dougers31]

I have one of these on every heater I have on my tanks. I did effectively exactly what the poster above said although I don't recall where I got the PVC shrink tube.

for redundancy I have these set, programmed and then plugged into an apex outlet which itself is programmed to make sure the temperature doesn't run over high.

For example, my Apex is set to shut off the outlet if it gets over 80 and the controller itself is programmed to 78.5

They've worked great for me so I have no complaints.

Yeah, I don't have the option of adding an apex but I figure if the controller(set to 76-77) fails and tries to over heat the Jager heater(preset to 78-79) will shut off when it hits 78 or so. If it fails in the other direction the lowest my tank will go will likely be 71 or 72 which imo will be ok for a short time period until I can remedy the situation.

Thanks for the input!

 

[stumeg]

You could cover the probe with reef safe silicone

 

[samnaz]

I’m curious about this as well. Following...

 

[dantimdad]

Thank you. This is the kind of information I was looking for and I've heard heat shrink was an option but just wanted to reinforce what I had heard. I have also heard some people coating it in reef safe silicone. Ranco is more expensive and as far as I know only does one thing. This unit has great reviews on Amazon for accuracy and maybe a viable option for those with low budget systems. If anyone else has experience with these controllers please chime in.

You are most welcome!

I ordered more from the link above yesterday. The normal heat shrink is poly olefin and honestly I don't trust it around saltwater. I dunno why, I just don't.

 

[jda]

The only few that I know who used it will tell you to expect something along the same lines as an InkBird. Probes drift, will only last a year or two, etc. Ok for the price, but no substitute for a good temp controller.

This is no risk as long as you use heaters with thermostats in them (which is a good idea), but it just means replacing it more often.

 

[dougers31]

The only few that I know who used it will tell you to expect something along the same lines as an InkBird. Probes drift, will only last a year or two, etc. Ok for the price, but no substitute for a good temp controller.

This is no risk as long as you use heaters with thermostats in them (which is a good idea), but it just means replacing it more often.

Curious as to whether or not they protected the temp probe with silicone or heat shrink... I've heard reviews of the probe losing calibration but came to find out they used it as is for an aquarium. I just ordered mine and will be ordering heat shrink to protect the probe. Will see how it goes....

 

[dougers31]

Got my bayite controller a few days ago. I tested it against my apex and it was within .1 degree so seems accurate out of the box. Just ordered some heatshrink from the link in an earlier post. Hopefully this will be an accurate long term controller :)

 

[dougers31]

Just tried doing the heatshrink thing and it was a pain... guessing I got the wrong size as it doesn't shrink down to the probe. Also can't figure out how to crimp and seal it on either end so had to do some modifications. I'll make it work but it wasn't as simple as I was led to believe... but like I said might have worked better with the next size down heat shrink. Honestly might have been better off just getting some flexible tubing that was just a hair bigger than the probe itself and just put a plug in one end of it.