Dual Heaters, Single Controller

I'm sorry if this has been covered before, but I didnt find anything in a quick search.

Currently buying equipment for a 20 long, including a new 100 watt heater. I'd like to run it on an external controller.

In the future, I'd like to be able to use the same controller, and add a second 100 watt heater for a larger tank (run dual 100 watt heaters with single controller).

Was just wondering if anybody could suggest a set-up. I've looked at the Finnex heaters, as they seem to be pretty well recommended, but I can't see anything regarding running dual heaters on one of their controllers.

Thanks!

 

How is the temperature going to monitored in the second tank??? Only have one temperature sensor.

 

Inkbird makes digital controllers that you can plug 2 heaters in but there's only one temperature probe so it would only work as 1 tank 2 heaters.

 

Sorry, I worded it confusing.

I want to buy a 100w heater + controller now, for a 20 long.

In the future, I'm going to upgrade the 20 long to a 40 long, and will move the existing controller / heater into the new tank, and add a second 100w heater.

Both heaters will be in the same tank

 

Sorry, I worded it confusing.

I want to buy a 100w heater + controller now, for a 20 long.

In the future, I'm going to upgrade the 20 long to a 40 long, and will move the existing controller / heater into the new tank, and add a second 100w heater.

Both heaters will be in the same tank

This is what you're looking for then!

 

This is what you're looking for then!

Thanks for the recommendation.

How do you use something like that? I assume you'd have to use adjustable heaters, and set the heater temp to it's highest? This way it is turned on and off by the thermostat, and not by the internal temp probe?

Or do they make heaters with no built in thermometers, so that they are either on (plugged in) or off, almost like a pre-set?

 

Thanks for the recommendation.

How do you use something like that? I assume you'd have to use adjustable heaters, and set the heater temp to it's highest? This way it is turned on and off by the thermostat, and not by the internal temp probe?

Or do they make heaters with no built in thermometers, so that they are either on (plugged in) or off, almost like a pre-set?

No, you don't have to do that. For example, I keep my tank at 77F. I have the heater set to 78F so that it can be turned on/off by the thermostat to maintan 78F. I'd be very nervous of turning it up into the 90's.

 

They do make heaters without thermostats, but they're difficult to find outside of a kit that includes the controller. I just bought cheap heaters figuring all the smarts was in the Inkbird controller so all I needed was a heater that would come on when power was applied. Don't have enough experience with it yet to say whether that was a wise choice.

If you go with the Inkbird, I suggest you get comfortable with the Celsius system. For some reason it gives you control to 0.1C if in Celsius, but only to 1F if in Fahrenheit. Not a huge thing, but I figure if I'm paying for a fancy controller I want better than 1F hysteresis.

 

If you go with the Inkbird, I suggest you get comfortable with the Celsius system. For some reason it gives you control to 0.1C if in Celsius, but only to 1F if in Fahrenheit. Not a huge thing, but I figure if I'm paying for a fancy controller I want better than 1F hysteresis.

Yes, I usually go by F as well but i've been using the Inkbirds in C to have more control over the temperature.