Retrofitting a temp thermostat to a cooling fan
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Yes. For a heater it can prevent a runaway event. It can also alarm for an "out of band" temp.
Hey looking into the inkbird... So it acts as a heater or else you connect the switch to the device and it kicks in once it goes over the temp specified?
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It is a heater and a chiller controller. You plug your heater into the socket labeled "Heating" and plug your chiller or fan into the socket marked "Cooling". It has a probe that you put into your tank or sump to monitor actual water temp.
You then set the controller high and low temp so that the tank will be either heated or cooled accordingly to stay in your desired range. I just use it for heating as cooling is not an issue in my space.
It also works as a safeguard against "runaway" heater disasters since it will cut power to your heater if the tank temp goes higher than your Inkbird setpoint. You set your heater for slightly above the Inkbird set temp so that the Inkbird is always in control.
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I got the Inkbird ITC-308S which does not have Wi-Fi. I just figured that it was one less thing to malfunction and was cheaper 
Also, at least on Amazon, the only one I see that supports Wi-fi is a heater-only controller.
Be sure to get one that is meant for an aquarium as the probe is different so as to last in long-term immersion.
Also, at least on Amazon, the only one I see that supports Wi-fi is a heater-only controller.
Be sure to get one that is meant for an aquarium as the probe is different so as to last in long-term immersion.
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Ditto- I have used the inkbird thermostats as a super cheap way to turn refrigerators and heats fans into incubators at work. They're pretty reliable and this application sounds safe. If you wanted to use it to regulate something that could cause an overheat or somehow cause harm if left on, then I would have it on some kind of failsafe as I once had one get stuck on, but that seems like a rare problem.
Is this the correct one?I got the Inkbird ITC-308S which does not have Wi-Fi. I just figured that it was one less thing to malfunction and was cheaper
Also, at least on Amazon, the only one I see that supports Wi-fi is a heater-only controller.
Be sure to get one that is meant for an aquarium as the probe is different so as to last in long-term immersion.
Inkbird Digital Wireless Thermostat, ITC-308-WiFi Temperature Controller Heating Cooling Remote Control : Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies
Inkbird Digital Wireless Thermostat, ITC-308-WiFi Temperature Controller Heating Cooling Remote Control : Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies
www.amazon.co.uk
Starting to hate shipping fees from the UK........
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Nope. That one does not have the probe for continuous placement under water. The aquarium probe is black, not metal. If you want Wi-fi you will need one that has "aquarium" in the description as well as "Wi-fi", "heating" and also "cooling". You might want to go to the Inkbird web site to see if they make one that has all of those features. I have not seen one.
This is all I know. Good luck!
This is all I know. Good luck!
Argh cant find it! Can you post a link maybe?
Is it this?
inkbird.com
Is it this?
Inkbird Wi-Fi Aquarium Temperature Controller ITC-306A for Fish Tank – INKBIRD
INKBIRD ITC-306AWiFi is specially designed for aquarium with key features such as WiFi control, dual protection, heating alarm, out-of-box and dual probes. Note: INKBIRD ITC-306A ONLY supports 2.4GHz WiFi router. [lang2] Product video Main Features WiFi control: we can connect INKBIRD...
inkbird.com
Yep, I got the WiFi one. The WiFi protocol on the WiFi Inkbirds are so old that they will not connect to any modern WiFi access-point or Smart Phone or laptop that I have tried. I tried for hours and I am a computer nerd for a living. A quick Google shows others have run into the same issue. It works just fine as a controller without using the WiFi connectivity though!
So is this a bad one? As it specifically says for aquariums
inkbird.com
Inkbird Wi-Fi Aquarium Temperature Controller ITC-306A for Fish Tank – INKBIRD
INKBIRD ITC-306AWiFi is specially designed for aquarium with key features such as WiFi control, dual protection, heating alarm, out-of-box and dual probes. Note: INKBIRD ITC-306A ONLY supports 2.4GHz WiFi router. [lang2] Product video Main Features WiFi control: we can connect INKBIRD...
inkbird.com
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We have already given you links to the one with the features you are asking for.So is this a bad one? As it specifically says for aquariums
Inkbird Wi-Fi Aquarium Temperature Controller ITC-306A for Fish Tank – INKBIRD
INKBIRD ITC-306AWiFi is specially designed for aquarium with key features such as WiFi control, dual protection, heating alarm, out-of-box and dual probes. Note: INKBIRD ITC-306A ONLY supports 2.4GHz WiFi router. [lang2] Product video Main Features WiFi control: we can connect INKBIRD...
Read the information in the product description.
This one does not support cooling.
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Amazon carries the STC-1000 DIY thermostat that does both of these functions, in addition to allowing you to set a hysteresis for the temperature difference from heating to cooling. Easily built, you will need to provide some cheap 5' extension cords as "zip cords" to power it and adapt it to the heaters and cooling fans. Two different relays and self powered once plugged into the supply, reads in Celsius only.
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Another option if you are handy with wiring is to get an off the shelf industrial temperature controller. You would likely also need a relay (two if your want to control a heater as well), I recommend solid state due to cycling frequency and a thermocouple. Depending on availability in the UK it could be more budget friendly option if you know your way around wiring.
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10/10 for Inkbird controllers. I've been using them for a long time on my shrimp tanks to turn cooling fans on and off.
Depending upon the country you prefer to buy from, you'll likely find several different brands worth considering sold by reef/marine aquarium retailers across Europe.
Depending upon the country you prefer to buy from, you'll likely find several different brands worth considering sold by reef/marine aquarium retailers across Europe.
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