LF Inexpencive temp controller........

[The Grizz]

Hey Guy's & Gal's,

I am looking for a very inexpensive controller to control 1 heater & 1 cooling fan to keep the temp stable in my 8 footer. I have been thinking of a chiller but can't afford one atm. Let me know what you have or seen.

[Seamazter]

Ive used an aqua controller JR before for this same reason.
Works very well be it a fan or air-conditioner pointed at tank.
The fan created too much humidity.

[mark]

Ranco popular, can have a heater and fan plugged in, can also get pre-wired

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by mark

Ranco popular, can have a heater and fan plugged in, can also get pre-wired

How do you hook up a heater and a fan to this controller, could not find an info on this.

[mark]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

How do you hook up a heater and a fan to this controller, could not find an info on this.

sorry the 211000 is the 2 stage

The Ranco ETC-211000 is identical to the Ranco ETC-111000 except that this unit is 2 stage, and has 2 relays to control both heating and cooling at the same time or two heating or cooling stages. (The output relay NC and NO ratings are also different than the single stage control).

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by mark

sorry the 211000 is the 2 stage

The Ranco ETC-211000 is identical to the Ranco ETC-111000 except that this unit is 2 stage, and has 2 relays to control both heating and cooling at the same time or two heating or cooling stages. (The output relay NC and NO ratings are also different than the single stage control).

This is what I am looking for or some thing similar.

[Myka]

Maybe try this...? My heater is set at 80 degrees. On my tank I have two fans, one is a 4-fan strip, and the other is a small but powerful Honeywell table top fan. The Honeywell is always on high, and brings fresh air from the living room onto the sump. The fan strip is mounted on the edge of the sump, and is on the same timer as the lights. My tank is considerably smaller than yours, but this setup keeps my tank at 80 at night and 82 during the day. I would like to keep it under 80, but if I set my heater to 78 the temperature will fall to 78 at night, but still go up to 82 during the day, so i keep the swing smaller by setting the heater a tad higher.

The way I see it, using a temperature controller to control a fan is a waste of money. You know the tank will get warm when the lights come on, so why not put the fan on the same timer the lights are on? Also, the fan will not likely cool the tank too much, and if it does your heater will take up little electricity.

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by Myka

Maybe try this...? My heater is set at 80 degrees. On my tank I have two fans, one is a 4-fan strip, and the other is a small but powerful Honeywell table top fan. The Honeywell is always on high, and brings fresh air from the living room onto the sump. The fan strip is mounted on the edge of the sump, and is on the same timer as the lights. My tank is considerably smaller than yours, but this setup keeps my tank at 80 at night and 82 during the day. I would like to keep it under 80, but if I set my heater to 78 the temperature will fall to 78 at night, but still go up to 82 during the day, so i keep the swing smaller by setting the heater a tad higher.

The way I see it, using a temperature controller to control a fan is a waste of money. You know the tank will get warm when the lights come on, so why not put the fan on the same timer the lights are on? Also, the fan will not likely cool the tank too much, and if it does your heater will take up little electricity.

This will not work on my tank as the light's are on 4 different timer's and I have not run a heater on this tank AT ALL since it has been up and running. With all the pump's for return, closed loop, 2 skimmers with feed pump's and a pump for my NP pellet's my temp never got below 78 or above 81 until the summer heat and the AC in my house does not affect the room the tank is in as much as the rest of the house.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

This will not work on my tank as the light's are on 4 different timer's and I have not run a heater on this tank AT ALL since it has been up and running. With all the pump's for return, closed loop, 2 skimmers with feed pump's and a pump for my NP pellet's my temp never got below 78 or above 81 until the summer heat and the AC in my house does not affect the room the tank is in as much as the rest of the house.

Ok. What are you thinking the temperature controller will do? All a temperature controller does is control when the heater comes on and when the fans/chiller come on by sensing the temperature. If you don't have a heater to run anyway, then buying a temperature controller seems like quite a waste. I think you will find that if you simply hook up some fans to a temperature controller that the fans will be on constantly when the lights are on anyway.

I have multiple timers as well - the lights that stay on the longest are 2 T5s that run for 12 hours a day. The timer that runs those lights has two 3-prong outlets, one for the fan, one for the lights. It's a lot cheaper than a temperature controller which you really don't need - especially if you're trying to save your Pesos.

I know you're not keen on a chiller, and I don't blame you. Your tank stays nice and cool, but holy mackerel the chiller puts off a tonne of heat into the room.

Another thought which may work for you would be to install a small in-window air conditioner for your fish room. You can find these small units for around $100. Then you don't have to sweat your balls off while you enjoy watching your tank.

[JDC]

For $100 plus shipping I can sell you my 2 month old pinpoint 2 stage temp comtroller.
I upgraded to GHL when my system grew.