Temp sensing power switch/controller ?

[mutley29]

Hi

Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a Temp sensing power switch/Controller?, i.e. when my tank reaches a certain temp it would switch on the power to the 8" fan i use to cool the tank.

I ask because when i go to work at 6am, i have to switch the fan on to full speed which drops the temp significantly before the MH's come on at 2 pm.

i know i could solve this problem with a chiller, but like everyone else, Mortgage, car, family come before expensive aquarium chiller.

Are there any instructions for making one?

Thanks
Anton

I don't believe i just said Mortgage,Car, Family before Reef Tank, WOW have i got my priorities messed up, i must be sick, some one help

 

[liquid]

I know either a Neptune or AquaController can do that...but their pricey.

Shane

 

[Anonymous]

Most chiller does not come with a temperature controller, so you may need one if you decide to get a chiller.

Any controller will be expensive, you are looking at $50-150. Try ebay or the Market Forum here in RDO for used items. Good luck.

PS: oh, may sure you get one that is saltwater safe if you getting anything that is not specifically for saltwater. I had a Johnson Ctrl temp. controller that came with stainless steel probe (there are many grade of stainless), which rusted on me in about a year or so....

 

[J.Howard]

Honeywell and Carrier make inexpensive refrigeration temp controllers. They are full analog, low tech with a copper bulb for temp. sensing. They will run 110 or 220v for y'all on the other side o' the pond. Not super sensitive, but they work. You can always put the fans on a timer so they only come on during the hot part of the day or when the big lights come on. Cheers.

 

[ChrisRD]

There are wired/sealed Ranco controllers available relatively cheap at:

http://diyreef.com/shop/index.php?cPath=22

The single stage will turn on/off one device (ie. one heating or one cooling device).

The dual stage will turn on/off two devices (ie. two stage cooling, two stage heating, or one cooling and one heating device).

I use the dual stage to control heaters and fans on my system to keep temps in a certain range - works great.

HTH

 

[liquid]

Honeywell and Carrier make inexpensive refrigeration temp controllers. They are full analog, low tech with a copper bulb for temp. sensing.

Copper anywhere near a reef isn't a good idea.

Shane

 

[Mihai]

OK, how about that: put your fan on the same timer as the MH: this way the fan will come up at the same time at the MHs. I understand from others that their temperature controller mirrors the MH timer with about 1/2h delay, so it's practiacally useless.

Mihai

 

[J.Howard]

Liquid, I was not advocating use of anything copper near water. That concern is universally understood, (hopefully) however, for sensing air temp, they can be effectively placed in an area where they will not be able to collect moisture and leech metals into the system. Thats why I mentioned that they were made of copper. :wink:

 

[ChrisRD]

OK, how about that: put your fan on the same timer as the MH: this way the fan will come up at the same time at the MHs. I understand from others that their temperature controller mirrors the MH timer with about 1/2h delay, so it's practiacally useless.

You can get things setup with timers so that your temp stays very consistent, but there are going to be times when the heaters/fans are fighting each other (which is fine if you don't mind the extra power consumption).

The timer method doesn't account for changes in ambient temperature and humidity (which effects evaporative cooling) which will effect tank temperatures.

IMO a controller is the most efficient way to keep temps in a certain range, but there are certainly other methods that work just fine.

HTH

 

[drywallguy29]

Hi all,
Don't know if you have had a chance to look around yet, but when I was in my local fish store (which is the best i have ever seen) they showed me a newer fan with a built in temp sensor. If I remember correctly and thats a big IF It may have had a variable speed control depending on the temp.Good reefing