Heater controller recommendations

[William]

I use reeflink to control my pumps and lights on my 150 gallon tank with a 40 gallon sump. This tank is in the basement and temps have been pretty stable until this cold snap where my Eheim jager 300 watt can't keep the tank warmer than 75-(room has been as low as 60) I'm going to add another 300 watt Eheim heater but want to get a controller. I Don't want to drop $5-600 on an apex to monitor temp and ph.Any recommendations for a heater controller?

Also curious about what you guys with long term success are using for heaters? Eheim is all I've ever used and haven't had any problems yet...

Thank you for your help.

 

[nemodan]

Reef Keeper Lite.... $120

 

[mpsteve]

Apex

 

[dannyp02908]

if you want to do a cheaper controller, you could just buy a temp controller. Not sure of names, but look on bulk reef. Or, you could make a cheap arduino temp controller. A number of write-ups exits and this can be done for pretty cheap.

 

[Frag Freaks]

My first choice is always the apex, however when there is a small budget in mind, I would agree with the poster who suggested the Reef-Keeper light. I have purchased many of these in the past to use just for temperature control.

It also gives you the options of adding additional control, as well as the options for expansion in the future when your budget allows it.

 

[JohnK]

I would also suggest a reefkeeper or APEX, but if you want to keep it cost effective and only worry about heat control you can pick up a Ranco controller on amazon for about $40.

 

[Frag Freaks]

I would also suggest a reefkeeper or APEX, but if you want to keep it cost effective and only worry about heat control you can pick up a Ranco controller on amazon for about $40.

I have had a few of those over the years malfunction on me where I was no longer able to set lower limits and get the heater to actually turn. That was the main reason why I started to look at the reefkeeper as my go to method for temperature control.

 

[Platehead]

Apex Jr. It is expandable to a point.

 

[this is me]

Ehiem Jager on any kind of reef controller would work well.
I set the internal controller on the heater to 79, but the Profilux(controller) shut the heater off when the temp reach 77.
You should never cut off the internal temp regulator of the heater or turn it to max IMO. Always turn it a couple degrees higher than your reef controller. This reduces the chance of the heater over heating the tank.

 

[William]

Thank you all for your recommendations and experiences. I greatly appreciate it!