Heaters for 240gallon

[BMac91]

So, I have been dealing with some colder than usual temps here in Alabama. My house hangs around 68, but sometimes during the evening we will let it drop to 64 downstairs where my tank is, this has resulted in my heaters constantly running and I am scared to see my power bill next month.

Right now, the 240 gallon acrylic tank is running (2) Aqueon Pro 250w heaters, I love these heaters but they are clearly not able to keep up with the house temp dropping so low during the evenings. They are running with an InkBird controller set @ 80 degrees. Just checked and the temperature in the tank has fallen to 77.8.

My question, does anybody run the Finnex heaters with a non-finnex brand controller? I was looking at possibly upgrading to (2) 500W finnex run through my inkbird, but wanted to see what everyone's thoughts were.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

I run two AquaTop 300W heaters controlled by an InkBird controller in my glass 220. My house temp is about 69 and they have zero trouble keeping the tank at 80-82. I have no doubt they would still work well at 64.

 

[cjdesmit]

I don't mean to hijack this thread but have a few questions in regards to the InkBird temp controller. I'm tired of using cheap, crappy digital thermometers that quit working after a month...

With the InkBird controller, all you do is plug your heaters into the "heat" outlet and set the desired tank temp on the unit? What if I am using multiple heaters? Can I use a three outlet adapter and plug it into the "heat" outlet?

Do you set your actual heater temps at the desired tank temp as well, or a few degrees above it?

The InkBird unit has a temperature probe that you place in the aquarium, correct?

To the OP, I have a 220gal and am using two of the all black Aqueon Pro 250 watt heaters and can typically hold 77-78F in an unheated bonus room. It can get into the mid 50's in that room at night in the winter.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

I don't mean to hijack this thread but have a few questions in regards to the InkBird temp controller. I'm tired of using cheap, crappy digital thermometers that quit working after a month...

With the InkBird controller, all you do is plug your heaters into the "heat" outlet and set the desired tank temp on the unit? What if I am using multiple heaters? Can I use a three outlet adapter and plug it into the "heat" outlet?

Do you set your actual heater temps at the desired tank temp as well, or a few degrees above it?

The InkBird unit has a temperature probe that you place in the aquarium, correct?

To the OP, I have a 220gal and am using two of the all black Aqueon Pro 250 watt heaters and can typically hold 77-78F in an unheated bonus room. It can get into the mid 50's in that room at night in the winter.

Yes, you can use an adapter/splitter with the InkBird controller. That is how I have my two 300W heaters plugged into the one heater outlet.

As for how it works, you just set the temp and set the temp differential to 1 deg and it will hold that temp. When using multiple heaters, I recommend you set the heater temps slightly above your set temp, and then use the controller to turn them on and off. That way they both come on and turn off at the same time. This way if the controller ever gets stuck on, the heaters thermostats will turn them off a few degrees higher and you don’t cook your fish. You can also set high and low temp alarms. This could be useful for you since you keep your tank in an unheated room. You can set the temp alarm to go off at say 75 so that if there’s an unusually cold night and the heaters can’t keep the temp up, it will sound it’s alarm and let you know.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYZZQVV/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?psc=1

Above is a link to the digital aquarium thermometers I use. I have four of them that were purchased at separate times and they are all right in line with each other. I recommend you run one of these with the InkBird because I have had one of my InkBird temp probes go a bit out before (only one of three). It wasn’t terribly bad but it would let the tank get slightly lower and lower in temp over a few months time. The replacement probe is only $9.99 and literally unplugs from the unit just like a headphone jack. Since I replaced it I have had no problems and the unit works great again.

Any specific questions you might have I’ll be happy to try to answer.

 

[monkeybike]

I run a finnex titanium 500w on a ranco controller along with a 300w aqueon that will be replaced with another finnex when it craps out. So far the finnex has worked without issue.

 

[monkeybike]

Yes, you can use an adapter/splitter with the InkBird controller. That is how I have my two 300W heaters plugged into the one heater outlet.

As for how it works, you just set the temp and set the temp differential to 1 deg and it will hold that temp. When using multiple heaters, I recommend you set the heater temps slightly above your set temp, and then use the controller to turn them on and off. That way they both come on and turn off at the same time. This way if the controller ever gets stuck on, the heaters thermostats will turn them off a few degrees higher and you don’t cook your fish. You can also set high and low temp alarms. This could be useful for you since you keep your tank in an unheated room. You can set the temp alarm to go off at say 75 so that if there’s an unusually cold night and the heaters can’t keep the temp up, it will sound it’s alarm and let you know.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYZZQVV/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?psc=1

Above is a link to the digital aquarium thermometers I use. I have four of them that were purchased at separate times and they are all right in line with each other. I recommend you run one of these with the InkBird because I have had one of my InkBird temp probes go a bit out before (only one of three). It wasn’t terribly bad but it would let the tank get slightly lower and lower in temp over a few months time. The replacement probe is only $9.99 and literally unplugs from the unit just like a headphone jack. Since I replaced it I have had no problems and the unit works great again.

Any specific questions you might have I’ll be happy to try to answer.

I covered the probe on my ranco controller with a thin film of silicone. I was having the same issue with the previous probe causing temps dropping. Apparently the probes aren't waterproof and ranco recommends sealing them.

 

[cjdesmit]

Yes, you can use an adapter/splitter with the InkBird controller. That is how I have my two 300W heaters plugged into the one heater outlet.

As for how it works, you just set the temp and set the temp differential to 1 deg and it will hold that temp. When using multiple heaters, I recommend you set the heater temps slightly above your set temp, and then use the controller to turn them on and off. That way they both come on and turn off at the same time. This way if the controller ever gets stuck on, the heaters thermostats will turn them off a few degrees higher and you don’t cook your fish. You can also set high and low temp alarms. This could be useful for you since you keep your tank in an unheated room. You can set the temp alarm to go off at say 75 so that if there’s an unusually cold night and the heaters can’t keep the temp up, it will sound it’s alarm and let you know.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYZZQVV/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?psc=1

Above is a link to the digital aquarium thermometers I use. I have four of them that were purchased at separate times and they are all right in line with each other. I recommend you run one of these with the InkBird because I have had one of my InkBird temp probes go a bit out before (only one of three). It wasn’t terribly bad but it would let the tank get slightly lower and lower in temp over a few months time. The replacement probe is only $9.99 and literally unplugs from the unit just like a headphone jack. Since I replaced it I have had no problems and the unit works great again.

Any specific questions you might have I’ll be happy to try to answer.

Extremely helpful, thank you!

I was just looking on Amazon and came across the InkBird ITC-306T. It appears to be made specifically for heating as both outlets on the unit are "heat" outlets. Which model are you using?

https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Elec...keywords=inkbird+temperature+controller&psc=1

 

[BMac91]

I have the heat-only model as well.
I ordered (2) 500W finnex heaters to replace the Aqueon Pros, should be here Tuesday, I am just tired of the heaters running constantly.
I have a large amount of "atmospheric interaction" with this tank that I didn't with my last large tank. My previous tank was a 210 w/ 55 gallon sump and it was only heated with the (2) Aqueon Pros and I loved them. During an ICH outbreak I had no issue whatsoever keeping the tank at 86 in the winter, it was in a poorly insulated room at my previous house. Just wondering if my new tank just doesn't hold heat as well because of that. It is an exposed trickle intank sump, so it has quite a bit of exposure.

I will say, I can't give an honest review of the InkBird just yet. I read the instructions, programmed my set temp to 80.0, kicked my heaters to 82/84 and have left it to run. I wake up to a tank that is 772/77.5 degrees according to the InkBird with heaters that had been running all night trying to keep it at 80.0. Then other times I will come in, InkBird says the tank is 78.5 but the heaters will not be running. I am hoping the Finnex Heaters will solve this for me and i won't have to worry about it, if I see the same fluctuation, I will reconfig the InkBird and if it doesn't get better, send it back.

 

[nzafi]

I run 650w of aqueoun heaters on my 180. Two 200w and one 250w. They tend to run often but seem to keep my tank at 77 with house being set for 69-70.

I’m not a big fan of Finney heaters. Their titanium heaters lasted less than a year for me, and I had issues with two of their controllers that they couldn’t explain to me. I also found their controllers to be leaking voltage into my water. After some crap customer service I tossed all of it into the garbage and went back to aqueon pro heaters. I had issues with two of their heaters leaking voltage. I emailed them and they replaced both free of charge. One was two years old and the other about a year.

 

[cjdesmit]

I have the heat-only model as well.
I ordered (2) 500W finnex heaters to replace the Aqueon Pros, should be here Tuesday, I am just tired of the heaters running constantly.
I have a large amount of "atmospheric interaction" with this tank that I didn't with my last large tank. My previous tank was a 210 w/ 55 gallon sump and it was only heated with the (2) Aqueon Pros and I loved them. During an ICH outbreak I had no issue whatsoever keeping the tank at 86 in the winter, it was in a poorly insulated room at my previous house. Just wondering if my new tank just doesn't hold heat as well because of that. It is an exposed trickle intank sump, so it has quite a bit of exposure.

I will say, I can't give an honest review of the InkBird just yet. I read the instructions, programmed my set temp to 80.0, kicked my heaters to 82/84 and have left it to run. I wake up to a tank that is 772/77.5 degrees according to the InkBird with heaters that had been running all night trying to keep it at 80.0. Then other times I will come in, InkBird says the tank is 78.5 but the heaters will not be running. I am hoping the Finnex Heaters will solve this for me and i won't have to worry about it, if I see the same fluctuation, I will reconfig the InkBird and if it doesn't get better, send it back.

Thanks for the update. Odd that the InkBird isn't keeping the correct temp. Where is the temp probe in relation to the heaters? Are you sure you programmed it correctly? All the reviews I've read said the instructions were terrible...

Keep us updated on whether the Finnex heaters make any difference. I was about to pull the trigger on the InkBird but now I'm hesitant.