Reddit mentions of Hydor Hydroset Thermostat, Analog Display, for All Heater Types

If OP is going to invest a few bucks in temperature control I would recommend an actual thermostat that cuts the power to the heater when the desired temperature is reached. This eliminates the possibility to 'fail on' in the heater.

There are probably cheaper options but here's one I thought about before deciding to just get a heater with some built in safety stuff:

http://www.amazon.com/Hydor-Hydroset-Electronic-External-Thermostat/dp/B0006JLPEA

I use these: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/KAT0/24100/N0650.oap?ck=Search_oil+pan+heater_-1_-1&keyword=oil+pan+heater

Regulated with one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Hydor-HYDROSET-Electronic-Thermostat-Temp/dp/B0006JLPEA

The oil pan heater gets attached to the bottom of a metal fount with some high temp silicone. With the hydroset thermostat the water stays at a nice even 60 or so degrees even when outside temps fall to -15.

If that heater ever sticks it will cook your tank in an hours. The general rule is 5 watts per gallon. Unless the tank is kept in a room normally at minus 5, that is really overkill. Also its best to use two undersize heaters. So if one breaks, nothing serious happens.


Or you could get a thermostat, I use this one on my heater.

http://www.amazon.ca/Hydor-Hydroset-Electronic-External-Thermostat/dp/B0006JLPEA

I use this this

It's a little more expensive but gives you super peace of mind. You plug your heater into it, stick the temperature probe into the tank and set the heater to 1degree higher than what you set the thermostat to.

Do either of you have a digital thermometer shut off, like this one? How long have you been running your inline?