Ranco Dual Stage Temperature Controller
wired with a plug in and 2 power strips
In the past, I have found the Ranco Digital Temperature controllers to be a very reliable and cost efficient means to controller temperature in an aquarium. You can get them in a dual stage or single stage version. With each version you can get them pre-wired and sealed or non-wired and non-sealed. For this project I chose the dual stage non-wired and non-sealed version. If you are just going with a single stage non-wired and non-sealed version there is a link to wiring it up here: http://www.reefcentral.com/diy/ranco_electronic_temperature_con.htm
I have always liked DIYreef.com for their service and low prices so that is where I ordered min from. Here is the unit:
Here is a picture showing the model number:
Now I am no electrician and sometimes I have a hard time understanding wiring schematics that came with the unit so I had Debbie at DIY Reef draw me a picture that is a little easier to understand:
I then set out to wire up the unit, which only took about 10 minutes:
Here is the controller installed in my tank room. You can see the power strips gave me plenty of room to plug in both of my heaters on stage1 and my sump fans, window fans, and chiller fan on stage 2. Note: my chiller is controlled by its own single stage Ranco controller.
