ATC 300 Temp controller

[JonW]

http://www.monitors-direct.co.uk/images/temperature_controllr_atc_3.JPG

Anyone got one of these? They seem quite good and the temp reading seems pretty accurate but they have one problem as far as I can see - the probe rusts.

Does anyone know what type of paint/varnish could be used to seal the probe that would be non-toxic to the tank?

Jonathan

[MrFish]

I've seen various recommendation for sealing probes -

Clear nail varnish (this one sounds dodgy to me)

Silicone

Superglue

[Peely]

Use an old glass vial from a test kit, fill with heat sink compund then seal the top with silicon.

Bobs your aunties mum.

[fish_r_friends_bruce]

New version of this is out at the end of october with reef friendly probes

[rockpoolie]

I thought these were just an alarm unit just as a safguard in case heater sticks on and not for control purposes,

[SCOOB]

controls the heaters and has a timer socket. i bought one but then heard of the rusting issue, as such its never been near my tank. i am most pished off if i'm honest that this can be deemed suitable for marine aquaria when the probe rusts in saltwater, the fact there's a mark II says it all for me, wonder if i will be able to swop mine for the newer one :mad:

[rockpoolie]

controls the heaters and has a timer socket. i bought one but then heard of the rusting issue, as such its never been near my tank. i am most pished off if i'm honest that this can be deemed suitable for marine aquaria when the probe rusts in saltwater, the fact there's a mark II says it all for me, wonder if i will be able to swop mine for the newer one :mad:

I bought one of th early system 2000 temp controllers years ago, was having mysterious losses in a tanks that had been thriving for over 18 months, you guessed it rusting probe. All they said was it was the compound used to transfer heat to the thermistor - utter rubbish it was rust on the so called stainless probe

[Bradden]

We've got two of these. Painted with nail varnish remover without any problems.

The instructions are useless thought.

One is set up and works fine. The other I cannot get to work.
There are a couple of LED's that light up (Temp & Heat) which are both lit on one. On the other no matter what I do I cannot get the temp one on, which I presume means the socket isn't switched on.
Can anyone explain how I set it up please...

Thanks

[fish_r_friends_bruce]

Hi scoob of course you can swap it out no probs m8 you only had to contact us, if we do not know you have a problem we can not rectify.

the reason for the upgrade was that the pvc coating was liable to chip or scratch that let water in, this was only an issue with salt water not fresh. So we decided to invest in medical grade stainless steel probes, hense the delay in stocking. i have to say that we ARE the ONLY people doing this, so many others are just cheap stainless the same that is found on cutlery.

it is also NOT the case that rust can cause ill effects to an aquarium, sitting in the bottom of my tank are 7 x 9" rusting nails providing greatly needed iron supplements to my corals. this is well documented

bradden your issue has been dealt with today
regards
michael

[Bradden]

Thanks Michael... great service :)

I didn't realise that you were an UR member.

[fish_r_friends_bruce]

Only on the quiet :cool:

i am just a regular guy and follow the rules of UR very carefully as i am not a sponsor or will be one so make sure i do not mention who or what very carefully but keep a close check instead

best wishes
Michael

[SCOOB]

pm replied.

nails in your tank, well documented, feel like sharing the documents or links.

i have heard the absolute opposite and have seen a couple of tanks now lose stock due to rusting jubilee clips etc

[fish_r_friends_bruce]

bio-available iron is vital to all reef inhabitants. Although present in salt mixes, iron is rapidly used up in the system, and removed through precipitation. Super Chelated Iron Supplement supplies needed iron

Taken straight from Kents technical data

With regards to tanks being effected by corroding jubilee clips, this is not surprising, 99% of these clips are made from a mixture of metal and aluminium (alloy) these produce a bi product in salt which is seen as a grey oxidisation and this is in turn has acid compounds, and therefore is the cause for tank issues, more so in salt water. Jubilee clips are made from this compound as to prevent rust corrosion as theyre main purpose is outside or damp enviroment conditions. Rust will not be the cause.

With regards to temp probes in marine use, the rust spotting issues have been around for years and have challenged nearly every make on the market, most are now coated with a PVC or acrylic membrane to help prevent this. this is exactly the same issue with cutlery put through a dishwasher regularly eventually you will see rust spotting as any residue iron oxide is forced out of the stainless by the presence of salt. now in Medical grade or food grade stainless all iron oxide is removed so you have a pure form of stainless steel, this is rarely used as it is highly expensive, hense the widely used PVC or acrylic wrapping or to put it bluntly clear nail varnish!!. The issue mainly facing manufacturers is price, people want something for very little outlay, so if a manufacturer takes the bold step of selling units with the graded probes it would be pushed out the market by the cheaper coated probe versions so manufacturers are reluctant to go down this avenue.

Hope this helps

Best wishes
Michael