Ranco controllers are an awesome product, i run one on all my tanks. as far as wiring them i buy regular extention cords for $6-10, the cords are rated up to 1650 watts.
What's the Best Heater For...
- Thread starter need2ball
- Start date
Alright, sounds like a Ranco is the unanimous dicision so far. Are there any others? What exactly will I need to rewire? I don't really trust myself with that kinda stuff unless its really simple.
Does anyone have a link to the appropriate Ranco, I did a quick search and found many Rancos. I just want to be certain I'm getting the one you guys are recommending.
For more information... This is for a 60 gallon tank, currently I'm running a 250 watt Stealth and it is indoors. These fish are extremely expensive and will be near impossible to replace so I am definately willing to go the extra mile.
Thanks!
Does anyone have a link to the appropriate Ranco, I did a quick search and found many Rancos. I just want to be certain I'm getting the one you guys are recommending.
For more information... This is for a 60 gallon tank, currently I'm running a 250 watt Stealth and it is indoors. These fish are extremely expensive and will be near impossible to replace so I am definately willing to go the extra mile.
Thanks!
here- http://www.rancoetc.com/ranco-etc111000000-digital-temperature-controller-p-86.html
there's also a pre-wired version there.
there's also a pre-wired version there.
I just ordered that Ranco Temperature Controller. Now I have to buy another damn heater since the one I have now only heats up to 84 degrees now. This stealth is less than 6 months old, hopefully this fixes the problem once and for all. Thanks for the advice everyone!
Im going to raise a dead thread....Zombie alert!
I want to buy a Ranco ETC-111000-000 Prewired Digital Temperature Controller but.....i want to wire it to work with two heaters. How should i do this. Just connect a splitter at the end of the extension cord and plug them both in?
If anyone is breave enough to help me out i would be so thankful.
I want to buy a Ranco ETC-111000-000 Prewired Digital Temperature Controller but.....i want to wire it to work with two heaters. How should i do this. Just connect a splitter at the end of the extension cord and plug them both in?
If anyone is breave enough to help me out i would be so thankful.
The Ranco is indeed the shiz! I've been using them since I started this thread and now have a total of 3 of them. I really can't say enough good things about them, they are totally worth the money for the added security against all these faulty heaters. I don't know why no company can make a good heater, it really doesn't seem like it's rocket science. Oh well this works great!
Yes, just plug them into a splitter or power strip or what ever, they will just act as one heater. I set the the heater to slightly above the ranco so if the ranco dies, you'll have the backup of the heater thermostat but none of my Rancos have died yet.
Yes, just plug them into a splitter or power strip or what ever, they will just act as one heater. I set the the heater to slightly above the ranco so if the ranco dies, you'll have the backup of the heater thermostat but none of my Rancos have died yet.
I have 6 300W Eheim Jagers plugged into my Ranco Controller, via power strips. I got my Ranco wired with 2 plugs...I was told to not run more than 1,000W per plug on the controller, so I have 900W (3 heaters) running through each plug. As others have mentioned, it's a nice piece of equipment.
I realize this is a really old post, but you seem to contradict yourself here. I see the logic you are trying to use, but I would disagree with your conclusions.
If water retains heat really well (which I agree that it does), how is a heater going to cycle on and off 50 times a day? If the water is quickly heated to the set temperature (say 80F) and water retains heat really well, the heater will not kick back on until the temp drops below the desired setpoint differential. You seem to be suggesting buying a heater that is just large enough so that it is replacing heat lost in order to maintain a desired temperature (and thus almost always being "on" in order to avoid the on-off cycle), but I believe that is what results in premature heater failure- heaters having to work almost 24-7 to maitain the desired temp. From what I understand, they are designed to cycle on and off. Buying a heater that has to struggle to maintain temperatures will lead to premature heater failure. For example, what will last longer, a light bulb that is on for 10 minutes every day, or a light bulb that is on for 10 hours every day?
I think the real issue is that most manufacturers use cheap temp controllers in their units and that's why using a Ranco temperature controller is your best bet.
I realize this is a really old post, but you seem to contradict yourself here. I see the logic you are trying to use, but I would disagree with your conclusions.
If water retains heat really well (which I agree that it does), how is a heater going to cycle on and off 50 times a day? If the water is quickly heated to the set temperature (say 80F) and water retains heat really well, the heater will not kick back on until the temp drops below the desired setpoint differential. You seem to be suggesting buying a heater that is just large enough so that it is replacing heat lost in order to maintain a desired temperature (and thus almost always being "on" in order to avoid the on-off cycle), but I believe that is what results in premature heater failure- heaters having to work almost 24-7 to maitain the desired temp. From what I understand, they are designed to cycle on and off. Buying a heater that has to struggle to maintain temperatures will lead to premature heater failure. For example, what will last longer, a light bulb that is on for 10 minutes every day, or a light bulb that is on for 10 hours every day?
I think the real issue is that most manufacturers use cheap temp controllers in their units and that's why using a Ranco temperature controller is your best bet.
