Heater/Fan Controller
 

Ok so summer is coming and I am going to need to run a fan to keep my tank cool. The other day may tank temp went up to 80.5 so I turned the fan on over night and tank temp dropped to 75. I forgot my heaters were unplugged cause tank usually rans at 77 without them. So now I want something to control the heater to keep my tank at 78 and something to control the fans if the temp goes over 78.

I have looked on line and found the ranco 2 channel controller. Anyone use one of these?

http://www.etcsupply.com/ranco-etc21...ler-p-110.html

why not get something like a reef keeper lite that can do all of that and then some?

Apex. Welcome to the world of SPS. Get out that Visa card :)

Guess I never thought about it. My lights are on timers. I have a stand alone doser. Run rw-8s with their own controller. Have a smart ato so thats separate as well. Everything electronic is plugged into dj powers bars so they are easy to turn on/off.

Invest in an Apex bro, you'll be happy you did!

well, you can get an apex lite for 100 (there is one on here now for that).

I'm not sure what it would cost you to buy a heater/fan controller.

it might not make any sense at all to get an Apex...unless it would allow you to sell off some of the stuff you already have that would then be redundant.

I used to run everything the same way with many different components and it worked quite well....once I HAD a controller though, I would definitely never go back.

Where is this apex light you speak of? I need a new screen for my controller
Doubt there is one for 100 bucks that's giving it away.

Me either, $100 for a apex lite.. sign me up ;p

Been reading about the Rancos for years, all good.

I've got a plc, but what an I using for, fancy thermostat.

I have a Ranco single controller. It has a couple heaters plugged into it in case my controller has a fit, and it's set 1 degree lower than the controller.
I've had it for 3 years now and it's still accurate.
Only thing I don't like about it is it's lack of decimal points so I can match it to my controller.

Having everything on one controller is so much easier to program. Alarms can be set amongst components etc. But then you have 1 piece to fail, so you have to set rules for on/off if the controller loses contact with the power bars.

Ok then someone might have to break down the different models of the apex for me then.

What is this Apex lite? I can't find it any where. Apex jr, Apex, Apex gold, Apex lab.

Apex lite has been discontinued, u can find them still in Amazon or eBay probably, lite is same as full apex but doesn't come with a ph probe or 1 few less ports

I just sold an RK lite for 100 a few weeks ago.

You can also find the older green screen apex jr for very cheap...I paid 80 bucks for the last one I bought a few months ago...probes and DC8 included.

Same story with the lite.

Here's another RK lite for 100

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...highlight=lite

:neutral:

An all in one controller is the better way to go in my opinion but those Ranco controllers work well too. I have a single stage as well that I occasionally use for a heater when I set up my QT tank. I don't use it continuously but I have had it for several years and it works flawlessly each time I plug it in.

Thanks for the help all. I think I am going to go with an Apex, just need to save up the money to get it now.

If you are only looking for something to control a fan and a heater, and you are in a bit of a budget. Grab a reefkeeper lite. They work awesome for what you want to do. You will have 4 outlets that you can control. Should be able to grab one used for around $100. Don't get me wrong a Neptune system is the cats meow. But price is a bit of an issue. Don't know what kind of issues he has had with them but I have 5 lite's on the go for my freshwater tanks. Happy as can be with them. Hold temp rock solid all the time.

I do agree with this for controlling temp and lights nothing wrong with this unit.

Yup a great starter unit. At least you can control a heater as well as a fan to keep you temp where you want it. After a while we all want something that will do a little more, then it's time for a Neptune.

I got This baby for about $20. Kills power to heater at a set temp. Newer model will also kick on a fan if you want.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05...aa9278bd9b.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05...e24a244297.jpg

Another cheap alternative for just temp control would be to check out home brew stores (for wine and beer making) as they often have cheaper temperature control units available for those who don't feel $100+ is necessary for a RANCO.

http://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/Anyco...mp-control.htm

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That's right, I cleaned out this thread. You guys know why.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1432082965

Thanks ;)

in any case, go with a RK Lite if you want to have a few more bells and whistles and pay a minor premium.

You can also find the older apex jr's, with the blue screen and green back lit display for cheap.

Lots on RC right now in the 100-150 dollar range.

If you just want simple heater and fan control, get a more rudimentary controller like some of the ones posted above as they seem to range in price and quality with very similar functionality, so there is definitely something out there that is a good fit over both considerations for you.

I am curious how that one turns heater on and off?

Once again thanks for all the help. I decided to go with an Apex. I dont need all the features but I will eventually use them so better to buy once and save money in the long run.

once you get it home and everything all hooked up, you will definitely feel good about the purchase.

Yes I went with an full apex couldn't be happier, I used to have a separate ph controller, temp controller , timers could've save more money if I would've bought the apex at the beginning