Another heater to go

[goldies88]

What brand of controller are you using?

 

[leather]

What brand of controller are you using?

Its a ranco,its originally a tstat for refrigeration units coolers or for space heating. I just wired it up with extension cords and waterproofed the lead for the tank. Works great and isn't expensive.

 

[vfc]

I run a controller on my 150. It is great because it gives me a digital temp readout and I can set it easily. It brings both heaters on together, which use to drive me nuts you can never get them to sync. One always did all the work, the other just sat there.

Digital controllers can fail as well.

I was using a LifeGard digital monitor and alarm for a little over a year.

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3744+3841&pcatid=3841

I had remote sensors in a number of tanks and used the monitor set my tank temps. Unfortunately it started giving very inaccurate readings after a year. I kept setting the heater dials lower until they bottomed out. It turned out that the actual tank temperatures were down to 70 even though the monitor was showing 81.

The best solution was already mentioned; use two low watt heaters.

 

[leather]

Digital controllers can fail as well.

I was using a LifeGard digital monitor and alarm for a little over a year.

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3744+3841&pcatid=3841

I had remote sensors in a number of tanks and used the monitor set my tank temps. Unfortunately it started giving very inaccurate readings after a year. I kept setting the heater dials lower until they bottomed out. It turned out that the actual tank temperatures were down to 70 even though the monitor was showing 81.

The best solution was already mentioned; use two low watt heaters.

It basically comes down to how anal you want to be. I didn't like having two heaters because one did 90% of the work. Now they both come on together. If one fails the other will just run all the time or until it catches up. If the controller fails, which is a high quality unit, I use these in coolers and heating systems, then I have to address it. I have a submerged bulb type thermometer in the tank I compare with the controller regularly. I don't know if it could overheat, I only have 2 200 watt heaters in the 150.