Snappy Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 So a week ago my Cobalt Neo Therm heater went bad. I noticed my acans were turned inside out one afternoon so I checked the thermometer and got a major scare when it read almost 90 degrees. I immediately checked the heater and saw it was (and still is) stuck in the 94 degree maximum read zone. I am very fortunate to have found this during the afternoon and likely it had slowly crept up to bath temp over several hours. I unplugged the heater (obviously) and used my emergency reef ice cubes and room temp water to get it back to 80 in about an hour or so. My reef was unhappy for a couple days, but no notable losses. Amen Now, I have a backup heater on it, but need a new heater so I can even make replacement saltwater. Considering a controller for heat if I can find something inexpensive. Had one for about $45 I got on Amazon last year, but it didn't work well. Is there something to control heaters and or a fan for summertime that is in the $40-100 range? Not wanting to invest much in my 28 gallon aquarium, especially as I may need to sell soon to make room for newest family addition. Ideas? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Z Reef Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 Did you have an inkbird controller? They seem to be the budget standard. I have one laying around as backup but Apex controls my heat currently. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 +1 inkbird is a great value and quite reliable. You can even have it give an audible alarm if the temperature goes too high 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Z Reef Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 Looks like standard models are around $30 and now they have a WiFi one for $50...pretty reasonable. I have the 308 model which is $35 but had a sale from $30 back when I got it off Amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxkenny90xx Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 Inkbirds get mixed reviews but mine has been going strong for 3 or 4 yrs now. I have it controlling a heater and a fan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bler Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 I just recently purchased a inkbird and it's been working great, highly recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tandor69 Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 Ditto on the Inkbird. I have the dual heater one with 2 heaters incase one fails to heat. Which I had happen with a Neo Therm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunpeal Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 I think everyone should have an inkbird as a minimum. Set your heaters and have the bird as a safety backup. Grab the version with the plastic clad temp probe. It's designed to aquarium use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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