which controller to buy

johnvu713 · 11/05/2006, 08:53 PM

im in the market for a controller to mostly turn on my heater/fan when my tank reaches a preset temp. I'd like to get something within my budget around 150-200. What are my option? Neptune jr has one for 175 im kinda leaning toward that unless there's some other cntrler out there that can beat neputune jr in performance n price. THanks

sherm71tank · 11/05/2006, 09:11 PM

Ranco controllers
http://diyreef.com/shop/index.php?cP...81b2838af84498

Work very well.

johnvu713 · 11/05/2006, 10:44 PM

can it be used with a fan instead of chiller?

sherm71tank · 11/05/2006, 10:57 PM

Yes!

elzool · 11/05/2006, 11:04 PM

It doesn't care if you plug in a belt sander, it just provides power to that outlet at a given temperature.

I copied this from a brewing forum:

Quote:

On a single stage unit you select cool or heat mode when you program it. In cool mode it will turn on your appliance/load when the temperature rises to your setpoint. In heat mode it will turn your appliance/load off when the temps rises to your setpoint.

That guy also sells them.. his look kinda nice with the box attached... at least for my setup anyway.

johnvu713 · 11/05/2006, 11:26 PM

how much does that go for? so can i used it for both heater /fan ?

Jim_S · 11/06/2006, 12:23 AM

Yes. These controllers will operated your fans, or heaters or coolers...etc...

I'm looking at getting one as well. I really like the one posted above.

Jim

mavgi · 11/06/2006, 01:51 AM

you can find more cheap in this link :

http://www.honeyrunapiaries.com/store/ranco-m-15.html

neotekz · 11/06/2006, 03:26 AM

get the neptune, it can control everything on your tank but if you only want something to control the temp then the ranco is a good choice

pjf · 11/06/2006, 06:42 AM

I have the Medusa HC-150 from www.sealifesupply.com. It is a two-stage controller that operates both a heater and a cooler.

Its LED panel displays to a tenth of a degree in either Celcius or Fahrenheit and can be easily read in the dark.

johnvu713 · 11/07/2006, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by elzool
It doesn't care if you plug in a belt sander, it just provides power to that outlet at a given temperature.

I copied this from a brewing forum:

That guy also sells them.. his look kinda nice with the box attached... at least for my setup anyway.

how much does this bad boy go for? where can i get my hand on it

elzool · 11/07/2006, 11:09 AM

No idea what the quality is like.
This is the forum I saw it on:

http://www.brewboard.com/index.php?s...0&#entry731931

I know that I'll be buying one.

pjf · 11/08/2006, 08:01 AM

I recommend controllers that have the following features:
â€¢ 0.1-degree temperature control & display
â€¢ LED display that can be read in the dark
â€¢ 2-stage (heater & chiller/fan)
â€¢ Recalibration

Be sure to buy a laboratory grade thermometer to calibrate your controller.

Regarding temperature displays, I would not spend a lot of money for a controller that you need a flashlight to read (hint: LED > LCD).

geckofrog · 11/08/2006, 08:23 AM

I use a reefkeeper 2 and love it!

11/05/2006, 08:53 PM	#1
johnvu713 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: houston Posts: 732	which controller to buy im in the market for a controller to mostly turn on my heater/fan when my tank reaches a preset temp. I'd like to get something within my budget around 150-200. What are my option? Neptune jr has one for 175 im kinda leaning toward that unless there's some other cntrler out there that can beat neputune jr in performance n price. THanks

11/06/2006, 12:23 AM	#7
Jim_S Timo Boll Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,333	Yes. These controllers will operated your fans, or heaters or coolers...etc... I'm looking at getting one as well. I really like the one posted above. Jim __________________ We will survive in this world of competition, shooting guns and our ammunition... Bradley Nowell Current Tank Info: We're recreating the ocean in our livings rooms. With that said, I've had some ups and downs.

11/06/2006, 06:42 AM	#10
pjf Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,954	Medusa HC-150 I have the Medusa HC-150 from www.sealifesupply.com. It is a two-stage controller that operates both a heater and a cooler. Its LED panel displays to a tenth of a degree in either Celcius or Fahrenheit and can be easily read in the dark.

11/08/2006, 08:01 AM	#13
pjf Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,954	0.1-Degree LED Display I recommend controllers that have the following features: â€¢ 0.1-degree temperature control & display â€¢ LED display that can be read in the dark â€¢ 2-stage (heater & chiller/fan) â€¢ Recalibration Be sure to buy a laboratory grade thermometer to calibrate your controller. Regarding temperature displays, I would not spend a lot of money for a controller that you need a flashlight to read (hint: LED > LCD).

11/08/2006, 08:23 AM	#14
geckofrog Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 505	I use a reefkeeper 2 and love it! __________________ Ryan Current Tank Info: 75G,

11/05/2006, 09:11 PM	#2
sherm71tank Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,670	Ranco controllers http://diyreef.com/shop/index.php?cP...81b2838af84498 Work very well.

11/05/2006, 10:44 PM	#3
johnvu713 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: houston Posts: 732	can it be used with a fan instead of chiller?

11/05/2006, 10:57 PM	#4
sherm71tank Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,670	Yes!

11/05/2006, 11:26 PM	#6
johnvu713 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: houston Posts: 732	how much does that go for? so can i used it for both heater /fan ?

11/06/2006, 01:51 AM	#8
mavgi Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: queens n.y Posts: 2,209	you can find more cheap in this link : http://www.honeyrunapiaries.com/store/ranco-m-15.html

11/06/2006, 03:26 AM	#9
neotekz Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: ottawa, Ontario Posts: 698	get the neptune, it can control everything on your tank but if you only want something to control the temp then the ranco is a good choice

11/07/2006, 11:09 AM	#12
elzool Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Glendale, AZ. Posts: 1,005	No idea what the quality is like. This is the forum I saw it on: http://www.brewboard.com/index.php?s...0&#entry731931 I know that I'll be buying one.