Help with Controller choice

namsupak · 08/25/2006, 10:33 PM

I am looking for a good reliable controller that can do two things. 1) Control my heater in my sump 2) hook up to a sensor to top off the water in the sump. I am not familiar with these devices at all so I have no clue on which ones are good or not. As idiot proof as possible would also be good. Thanks. Any suggestions or ideas would be helpful.

theatrus · 08/25/2006, 10:42 PM

The topoff you can do simply from one of the ATO websites (www.autotopoff.com, etc). They're not really a controller, but it does the trick.

A Ranco temp controller is an inexpensive choice for the heater.

If you want more, something like an Aquacontroller Jr with DC8 gives you a bunch more options.

namsupak · 08/26/2006, 01:11 AM

that autotopoff thing looks interesting. Do you have one in use? Also with the ranco is there wiring involved. I am pretty much a moron so any info is helpful thanks.

theatrus · 08/26/2006, 01:46 AM

The ranco is pretty simple to get going if you pickup one of the assembled units from www.diyreef.com. My float switch is wired into my autocontroller jr right now so I haven't used one of the prebuilt units, but its pretty much drop in, adjust height, plug in pump operation.

08/25/2006, 10:33 PM	#1
namsupak Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Morgantown, WV Posts: 156	Help with Controller choice I am looking for a good reliable controller that can do two things. 1) Control my heater in my sump 2) hook up to a sensor to top off the water in the sump. I am not familiar with these devices at all so I have no clue on which ones are good or not. As idiot proof as possible would also be good. Thanks. Any suggestions or ideas would be helpful.

08/25/2006, 10:42 PM	#2
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	The topoff you can do simply from one of the ATO websites (www.autotopoff.com, etc). They're not really a controller, but it does the trick. A Ranco temp controller is an inexpensive choice for the heater. If you want more, something like an Aquacontroller Jr with DC8 gives you a bunch more options. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

08/26/2006, 01:46 AM	#4
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	The ranco is pretty simple to get going if you pickup one of the assembled units from www.diyreef.com. My float switch is wired into my autocontroller jr right now so I haven't used one of the prebuilt units, but its pretty much drop in, adjust height, plug in pump operation. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

08/26/2006, 01:11 AM	#3
namsupak Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Morgantown, WV Posts: 156	that autotopoff thing looks interesting. Do you have one in use? Also with the ranco is there wiring involved. I am pretty much a moron so any info is helpful thanks.