Don't shoot, Lets talk Heater Controllers

[BrianneG]

I tried searching past posts and didn't really get an answer for my question.
I am looking at heater controllers and see there are a few on the market. I currently have an Inkbird in my shopping cart, but want to know what others think about a couple of the other brands out there?

Inkbird
Innovative Marine's Helio Controller
Reef Factory

I have a 115 gallon acrylic tank, Going to run a 300w main and a 300w backup. Want to have an alarm sound if either fails. Thinking main running at 78 degrees F and then the back up running at 76 degrees F? Do the above numbers sound right?
Should I put one at 79 and the backup at 77?

 

[Reef Wizard]

I tried searching past posts and didn't really get an answer for my question.
I am looking at heater controllers and see there are a few on the market. I currently have an Inkbird in my shopping cart, but want to know what others think about a couple of the other brands out there?

Inkbird
Innovative Marine's Helio Controller
Reef Factory

I have a 115 gallon acrylic tank, Going to run a 300w main and a 300w backup. Want to have an alarm sound if either fails. Thinking main running at 78 degrees F and then the back up running at 76 degrees F? Do the above numbers sound right?
Should I put one at 79 and the backup at 77?

Hydros and APEX have controllers
Not sure much of any others myself

 

[Oldreefer44]

Use Helio as primary and Inkbird as a backup. Keeps my 180 within .1degrees

 

[joeyhatch11]

.

 

[Bruttall]

I run mine thru my Apex, 2x 500wattt heaters controlled by my Temp probe to keep tank between 78.5 and 79 degrees F.

I used an Inkbird, it was OK, but the Apex is way better IMO.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I'll be using an Inkbird when I launch.

 

[X-37B]

I have 3 Auqa logic controllers on my 3 systems.

 

[joeyhatch11]

I'll be using an Inkbird when I launch.

Same Amazon, $35 cant beat them.

 

[KStatefan]

I run two Ranco controllers on my tank on two separate electrical circuits. My primary is set with a 1° F differential and the secondary is set to 2° differential so it only comes on if the primary will not keep up either from a failure or abnormal heat loss event.

I do not know your tank heatloss but 600 watts seems like to much heater.

I will not have not have a heater not on a Ranco controller. I use them at work on chillers in a dirty weld environment and they are very robust.

 

[Reefer Matt]

I use heaters with a built in thermostat. Then they get backed up by a controller that is set two degrees higher. The heaters are set at 78F, the controllers 80F. That way if the heaters fail on, they will be shut off. I can see the temperature graphs on my Apex, and can spot when a heater fails. If they fail off, the temp will lower and trigger an alarm. I used inkbird controllers before I got an Apex with no problems. I had five of them.