Reliable but Economical Heater Controller

[Fish Tank Travis]

I am looking at heating for my 220 gallon tank. It will be in the house an the coolest it will ever be where the tank is at will be about 65. I am wanting to keep it around 83 degrees.

I currently run an aqua top 200 watt heater in my 29 gallon and have not had any issues with it. However, I think I will probably need to run two of their 300 watt heaters. I have heard horror stories about the heaters getting stuck on and so I would like to use a controller. Can you all help me out on a good reliable but economical controller I can use with these heaters to put together a good system?

I have seen Inkbird and Zilla on Amazon at a decent price but I would like to hear from you guys whether or not either of these are any good.

Thank you all, once again!

 

[Red_Man]

I have an Inkbird in use right now. I've only had it a couple weeks but it has been working great thus far.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015FKG4CC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

They have one that's a few bucks cheaper but that one handles less wattage. I'll warn you now that the directions are garbage. You can get the layout of the menu tree from them but that about it.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...-a-seedling-mat-thermostat-controller.653446/

 

[dmopar74]

Buy a ranco and don't ever worry

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

Do you have a link to a good ranco unit? It seems like they have a lot of options and I am unfamiliar with what to compare with them.

 

[Woefulrelic]

Buy a ranco and don't ever worry

My ranco is reading 154 on an 80 degree tank. I think they are a great unit but not without flaws.

 

[bbortko]

http://m.marinedepot.com/products/al1711/aqua-logic-digital-temperature-controller

Picked up one of these a few weeks back and it's great. Went with it over a ranco mainly because the probe is waterproof and my jbj trutemp crapped out on me and didn't have time to deal with waterproofing the probe.

 

[DN328]

I was going to buy that unit at marinedepot. I cannot speak to if the temp probe is different but that is basically a Ranco.

OP, I got mine at etc supply and another place you can check out for Ranco controllers. They will wire with dual receptacles at a length you want for extra. Of course this is going to cost more than you typical $40 controller, but I think it's an important piece of equipment.

 

[ragin_cajun]

I have a Finnex. It's analog, it was real cheap, and it's been working fine over 2 years now. Super simple to use.

http://www.aquacave.com/finnex-deluxe-electronic-temperature-controller.html

 

[dmopar74]

My ranco is reading 154 on an 80 degree tank. I think they are a great unit but not without flaws.

Sounds like you need a new temp probe?

 

[Woefulrelic]

Sounds like you need a new temp probe?

Yeah, I was going to give them a call on monday. It did not look like a fun replacement.