Has anyone ever tried using a seedling mat thermostat controller?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
awdawg

awdawg

Candiru
MFK Member
Feb 1, 2006
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Des Moines, IA
I stumbled upon some seedling matt temperature controllers and they look mighty similar to an aquarium heater controller, although much cheaper.

http://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-Digit...id=1447171078&sr=1-2&keywords=heat+controller

It says Max wattage 1000 watts and it supports 8.3 amps... Although it appears to have a metal probe. I was curious if that would pose a problem and if anyone has tried using one of these before to control aquarium temperature?
 
awdawg said:
I stumbled upon some seedling matt temperature controllers and they look mighty similar to an aquarium heater controller, although much cheaper.

http://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-Digit...id=1447171078&sr=1-2&keywords=heat+controller

It says Max wattage 1000 watts and it supports 8.3 amps... Although it appears to have a metal probe. I was curious if that would pose a problem and if anyone has tried using one of these before to control aquarium temperature?
Click to expand...

This is very interesting. I looked up some info on these and these seam legit. The stainless steel probe wont be a problem...

The only thing I couldn't find out was, can the probe be fully submerged?
 
My only thought was one more possible place to have some sort of issue with current going into the water? Then again, I would assume seedlings need water? I'm seriously thinking about trying one out on a smaller aquarium and if all seems well try a little bigger and bolder... If this works as a regular heater controller for less than half the money I will feel like an innovator. ha
 
Although it states handling 1000watts, would 8 amps be enough for heaters? Don't want to start a debate on required watts/gallon, but more of a question of how much amps is required. I suppose for the price, it's could be a good product.
 
Apparantly my finnex digital heater controller only has a 10 amp overload fuse. I'm not an electrical engineer but that's not too far off and that may be just higher for safety purposes? This may not support 1000 watts but even 600 wouldn't be too bad?
 
I found this formula for calculating amperage use based on lightbulbs, assuming it would apply to the this as well it should support right around 1000 watts:

HOW MUCH FOR A LIGHTBULB?
To give a definition of how this works, let’s use the 100 watt light bulb mentioned earlier as an example. If the 100 watt bulb is for use in a residential home application and the electricity coming out of the fixture is known to be 120 volts then by dividing 100 watts by 120 volts we will arrive at the fact that our bulb draws .83 amps. For those countries that use 230 volt electricity, the formula still works and the amperage consumed would be calculated by dividing 100 watts by 230 volts (answer; .43 amps).

Heat Controller - 1000watts / 120volts = 8.333333333333333 amps

It *should* support that per that equation.
 
There is no way an off the shelf heater will draw even one amp.
It is all about current (amps)....high voltage low amps....not going to kill you....or the fish. Everyone should have a stray voltage drain in their aquarium setup.....especially with submerged pumps.
 
awdawg said:
I found this formula for calculating amperage use based on lightbulbs, assuming it would apply to the this as well it should support right around 1000 watts:

HOW MUCH FOR A LIGHTBULB?
To give a definition of how this works, let’s use the 100 watt light bulb mentioned earlier as an example. If the 100 watt bulb is for use in a residential home application and the electricity coming out of the fixture is known to be 120 volts then by dividing 100 watts by 120 volts we will arrive at the fact that our bulb draws .83 amps. For those countries that use 230 volt electricity, the formula still works and the amperage consumed would be calculated by dividing 100 watts by 230 volts (answer; .43 amps).

Heat Controller - 1000watts / 120volts = 8.333333333333333 amps

It *should* support that per that equation.
Click to expand...

Ha! If you look at the pics on Amazon... One of the pics shows the spec sticker and the amp rating IS 8.3A!!! Nice work! I will be purchasing one to try out. Was just about to pull the trigger on a jbj unit myself. So pricey. I wonder if we where to just silicone the probe wire say six inches from the metal probe if it would keep it safe.
 
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