Temperature control question

lubyone1 · #1 01/06/2008, 12:18 AM

Hello,

I had a quick question about temperature control and was hoping to get a few opinions. My tank has been set up for about 5 months now and everything is going great with the exception of my tank temperature. I'm having a hard time keeping it stable and I'm not sure why. I was originally using a 300 watt heater to heat my 75 gallon +25 gallon sump. Depending on the temperature of my house, my tank temp was falling by almost 3-4 degrees (over the course of a day) which can't be good for the corals in my tank.

I recently added a second 300 watt heater to try and stablize the temp. So far so good but I'm wondering if it would be worth investing in a controller (like the Aquacontroller Jr) to keep the temp even more stable.

Is it possible I kept my heater to close to the other pumps which caused the temperatue gauge to get faulty readings and not heat the tank enough?

Should I spend on the money on a controller like this or should I look for other solutions?

Other important factors: I live in Wisconsin so its pretty cold here during the winter and I run 6 VHO 48" lights over my tank (with no top).

All feedback is appreciated - thanks!

CarmieJo · #2 01/06/2008, 12:31 AM

I have a Ranco dual phase temperature controller that I got from a seller called kooltanks on Ebay. I use it for my chiller and heater. It does not do as many things as an AC but it cost less.

SPAMREEF · #3 01/06/2008, 12:33 AM

3 dgree shift per day is fine,,,but no more than that,,,try to put the heaters in the overflow that works great for me.

greenbean36191 · #4 01/06/2008, 10:01 AM

There's nothing wrong with a 3-4 degree change per day or even twice that. I wouldn't change a thing.

lubyone1 · #5 01/06/2008, 11:20 AM

any more thoughts?

michaeljames · #6 01/06/2008, 11:24 AM

greenbean is right about the temp swing, now if it gets worse you may want to invest in a controller, the acjr's are nice but if temp is your only concern you can just get the temp controllers alot cheaper as carmijo mentioned

atvdave · #7 01/06/2008, 11:32 AM

I kinda had the same problem. I also had about a 3 degree shift from night to day.

Now with my ACjr I have it controlled down to .6 degree shift.

If you just want to control your heat or AC the the Ranco is the way to go. If you want to control more, than the ACjr (or other controller) is the best bet.

snorvich · #8 01/06/2008, 11:56 AM

I vote with CarmieJo on use of a ranco controller. The control mechanism on heaters is subject to failure. From diving, I noticed a mild temperature swing night to day but not one that is on the order of 3 degrees or more. Maybe ok, but that is not what nature provides. Now season to season, I have seen significant temperature swing but that is over many days/weeks.

Leafer · #9 01/06/2008, 07:44 PM

Another vote for Ranco. I find mine to be very accurate. Also it recovers well after a power outage. I tried an Aquamedic controller, came home one day and the water temp was in the sixties. My water temperature now is very consistent and less of a worry.

poppin_fresh · #10 01/06/2008, 07:49 PM

I would never trust a heaters built in temp gauge...not any more. My heaters have NEVER shut off or turned on at the right temps. Its simply not worth the risk to trust them.

Plus, if you decide to leave the hobby, you can almost get what you paid for a controller on the used market because people know they are a valuable tool.

greenbean36191 · #11 01/06/2008, 08:58 PM

Quote:

From diving, I noticed a mild temperature swing night to day but not one that is on the order of 3 degrees or more. Maybe ok, but that is not what nature provides.

Where were you diving? Fluctuations are the norm on the reefs. It's been documented that half of the yearly variation can happen within a minute. When I was working in the Bahamas my buddy had 8 degree changes in under 15 minutes on his loggers. I had several nearly instantaneous 3-6 degree changes while I was measuring single quadrats.

The Floodinator · #12 01/06/2008, 09:19 PM

I bought a 400w Theo and the built in thermostat didn't work at all. I bought a Ranco and now everythins's fine.
Another benefit is if you have more than one heater you don't have to try and adjust them to the same temp.

palawan · #13 01/06/2008, 09:57 PM

Ranco user here too!!

reefergeorge · #14 01/06/2008, 10:04 PM

I got my Ranco off ebay for $40.
It was one of the best things I have bought for my tank.

Leafer · #15 01/06/2008, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by greenbean36191
Where were you diving? Fluctuations are the norm on the reefs. It's been documented that half of the yearly variation can happen within a minute. When I was working in the Bahamas my buddy had 8 degree changes in under 15 minutes on his loggers. I had several nearly instantaneous 3-6 degree changes while I was measuring single quadrats.

I am a diver also. My last trip was to Grand Cayman. There are lots of wall dives there and you can easily hit thermo climbs. Just a change of a single degree was shocking. Of course, if your heater goes on or off the change will be more gradual.

lubyone1 · #16 01/07/2008, 10:41 PM

Can anyone send me a link to a Rancor temperatue control unit? There are a bunch on ebay and I'd hate to buy the incorrect one.

Thanks!

reefergeorge · #17 01/07/2008, 11:51 PM

This is the single stage. It can only control heating OR cooling. http://cgi.ebay.com/RANCO-ETC-111000...QQcmdZViewItem

This is the two stage. It will turn on your chiller or fans if it gets to hot. Then turn on the heater if it gets to cool.
http://cgi.ebay.com/RANCO-ETC-211000...QQcmdZViewItem

When I bought mine it came with a waterproof titanium thermistor. So you might want to look if the thermistor is water proof.