300 gallon setup/sump build

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I can vouch for these they work perfectly.

However I bought the one below as has two heating outputs already on it and no cooling, so no cutting up wires!

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I don't like to recommend the 306 because some of the guys over on SimplyDiscus have said they have had problems with them.

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Here is a picture of my InkBird 308. It is an led lit display. It displays the current temp on the top display and the set temp on the bottom display. It also has programmable high and low temp alarms. In addition, it's rated for 1000W. Lastly, I've not heard of any problems with the probe getting water in it like the Ranco probes sometimes do. I know that the Rancos are highly praised on here, but I find this InkBird to be fantastic. Only time will tell if it holds up as well as the Ranco.

P.S. This picture is from when I was initially heating the tank up for the first time. The "AL" on top was flashing back and forth with the temp that was under my lower alarm setting. It was beeping at first but you just have to press any button to silence the beeping.
 
I use a finnex temp controller. It's totally analog, no digital anything on it. Just a knob to turn to choose the temperature, and an electrical outlet.
 
I keep my temp probe in the sump as well. Have the heaters in the bio portion of the sump and the probe in the first (mechanical) chamber. I try to keep the probe away from the heaters and pump that by some off chance could skew the temp reading. I also keep a thermometer in the tank, but keep it in the overflow box where you can't see it in the main display area. I just run a cheap Finnex digital controller, but has worked very well for the last year plus. Basically all the same functions of the Inkbird by the sounds of it.
 
Waiting sucks ! Picking up the sand tomorrow then thats it have to sit on my hands nothing else to do
 
Aside from my Ranco probe in the sump, I have a temp probe in the sump with alarm. I have the same temp probe in my internal overflow because I like to play "guess the temp" between the sump and tank - typically .2 degrees difference lol.

This wont apply to you Jaws, but I find it best to have the temp probe in the same chamber if you run titanium heaters. When the return pump is off the heater will continue to run but the probe being in a different chamber wont detect.

Of course best to have heaters with their own thermostats as well. And I dont think you are using chambers. A lot of nuances based on individual set up is the point here.
 
sit on my hands nothing else to do

What do you mean nothing? Now you sit and you visualize how your plumbing will be run for drain and returns and where to strategically place valves and unions, how the mechanical, bio and possibly chemical filtration will be set up in the sump, how you'll layout the controls on a panel and neatly run the wiring to the surge strip,...LOL
 
Did it have the backlite?? The controller is the best. Heavy duty, adaptable and last very long time.. good choice

Lol i asked you guys answered i baught

Aside from my Ranco probe in the sump, I have a temp probe in the sump with alarm. I have the same temp probe in my internal overflow because I like to play "guess the temp" between the sump and tank - typically .2 degrees difference lol.

This wont apply to you Jaws, but I find it best to have the temp probe in the same chamber if you run titanium heaters. When the return pump is off the heater will continue to run but the probe being in a different chamber wont detect.

Of course best to have heaters with their own thermostats as well. And I dont think you are using chambers. A lot of nuances based on individual set up is the point here.

What do you mean nothing? Now you sit and you visualize how your plumbing will be run for drain and returns and where to strategically place valves and unions, how the mechanical, bio and possibly chemical filtration will be set up in the sump, how you'll layout the controls on a panel and neatly run the wiring to the surge strip,...LOL

No chambers just the pond boxes pumps, heaters ,bio, socks and ranco.

Lol i've been planning this for over a yr, peppering you guys with questions my god especially you, soupa2 soupa2 and ragin_cajun ragin_cajun lol if you could see all the messages ive semt him haha

Only thing im not 100% on is how im going to do the in-tank portion of the return. Wife is due to give birth in early march so if i dont get the tank soon i'll only have a couple of weeks to set it up and dialing in the gate is what im most concenred about. From what ive read it coud be simple or be a constant p.i.t.a dont know what to expect

I guess i could wash the sand but would having the wet sand sitting for a couple of weeks be ill advised ?[/QUOTE]
 
Yes prep as much as you can before she's due. Just set your mind what you want to do and do it. There are so many ways of doing things. Once baby arrives ur tie down to him or her. LoL. Only reason I have my heater in the sump return pump section is that I added a controller within the ranco so when my pump shuts off.. the controller shuts off. Now since drip is added, automatic valve to that setup so not just heater I got the valve close when pump shuts off. That is why I hold off buying the DC pump so long.
 
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