Heater controller

[Shadow_Arbor]

I intend on buying a heater controller for every one of my tanks. The idea is that the controller shuts of the electricity to the socket when it detects a set temperature. Does anyone have any experience with these? Are they worth the cost?

[MickS77]

I use a heater controller but not that brand. I think its worth the cost for safety and ease of use. They can require a bit of calibration to see where it actually holds the temperature. The one I have has replaceable temp probes which is nice.

I like using it to control two smaller heaters in the tank instead of a single large one. Reason being if one heater fails in the ON position it will heat up the tank slower but also the controller would shut it off too. I wonder if @Cory has ever considered bring a heater controller to the market?

[StephenP2003]

I actually just got one for my brine shrimp hatchery, different brand. I keep my house cold so it takes too long to hatch at room temp, and the heaters I have tend to fluctuate the temp too much in that small volume of water. 

I like it so much that I am tempted to get 7 more for my tanks, just for the safety benefit. 

[Shadow_Arbor]

4 hours ago, MickS77 said:

I use a heater controller but not that brand. I think its worth the cost for safety and ease of use. They can require a bit of calibration to see where it actually holds the temperature. The one I have has replaceable temp probes which is nice.

I like using it to control two smaller heaters in the tank instead of a single large one. Reason being if one heater fails in the ON position it will heat up the tank slower but also the controller would shut it off too. I wonder if @Cory has ever considered bring a heater controller to the market?

If @Cory brings one to the market I'll have to get a friend from the states to ship me one!

I live in a relatively hot climate. During Winter, temperature rarely drops below freezing. In rare cases that it does it's only really late at night and by a degree or two. My house is heated in the winter anyway so I under size heaters. That way it takes them longer to heat my tank period. In theory this will also extend their life as they have less on off cycles.

[MickS77]

57 minutes ago, Shadow_Arbor said:

In theory this will also extend their life as they have less on off cycles.

I definitely agree with that. It's the constant on/off cycle that kills heaters. I have titanium heaters on my controller, I'm hoping they last a long time. 

[Paul]

I have Inkbird controllers  on my tanks. They’re reasonably priced, allows you to setup temperature ranges and quick temperature adjustments among many other things. They just work well.

[Cory]

10 hours ago, MickS77 said:

 I wonder if @Cory has ever considered bring a heater controller to the market?

I have talked about it in a live stream. Everything just takes time and money. Eventually.