Help with suggestion on heating fish room

[Champion Discus]

Didn't know where to post this thread, so I figure to post it here.

My problem is that, I find it hard to keep my water temp up 82-84F since fall is here (CA) and I would image it would be much harder in dead winter.

Setup.
4: 40gals
1: 90 gal
1: 55gal sump....

I have heaters currently in all my tanks but not the sump.
The heater watts are 150-200 respectively (mix)
So I just go out and get another heater for the sump? (Since I believe it's pumping cool water)
Or should I take out the heaters in the tank and place it in the sump?

Thanks you in advance

[DiscusLoverJeff]

If all tanks are connected to your sump, then just place your heaters in the sump. If they are not connected, then one per 40 gal tank and I always put 2 in 90 gals or above.

[Champion Discus]

The are all connected to the sump. The thing is the fishes are set up in the garage. (Kinda cold at night)
I will take the heaters in the 40gals into th sump as least 2 of them and see if it works better..

Since I think a smaller body of water would easily warm up than the bigger volume as you've mentioned.

Thank you

[DiscusLoverJeff]

You can also use piping insulation and wrap it around the 3 sides of each tank. I do that also to help retain the heat. You can find it on Amazon or ebay.

[Tankster]

I use this on 3 sides of my 40g grow out and fully wrapped on my 55g storage/aging tank.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_13358-56291-...7C1&facetInfo=

[kris2341]

a diy hydronic heating system will be the best way for long term if there is a tank water heater nearby. It runs off of the house gas line rather than electricity and is something i plan on doing in the near future.

but for now, it is easy to put some insulation around the tanks and a few more heaters in the sump, that is probably the most readily available means to do so.

when i had a fiberglass 250 gallon holding pond outside, i maintained the heat with 4x 300w heaters and a sheet of styrofoam over it.

[Champion Discus]

Thank you all for the much needed advices...

[pauline]

I use this on 3 sides of my 40g grow out and fully wrapped on my 55g storage/aging tank.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_13358-56291-...7C1&facetInfo=

I use this also. It's very easy to trim and really holds the heat in the tank.

[musicmarn1]

You can also use piping insulation and wrap it around the 3 sides of each tank. I do that also to help retain the heat. You can find it on Amazon or ebay.

you mean the round stuff Jeff? it came up with grey, round pipe foam in the search , http://www.amazon.com/Foam-Heat-Insu...ing+insulation



but i did find this on the next page

http://www.amazon.com/Aluminized-Tem...ing+insulation

i do like the reflectix suggestion, any idea which is more heat retentive?

[kris2341]

http://www.amazon.com/Aluminized-Tem...ing+insulation

i do like the reflectix suggestion, any idea which is more heat retentive?

that stuff is more of a heat spreader than an actual insulator, the surface absorbs and reflects radiant heat and really would only act as an insulator at extreme temperatures, which is its intended purpose to keep automotive parts from burning.

at lower temperatures, depending on how conductive the adhesive backing is, it would act as a heat conductor than an insulator. in our case, it would most likely suck the heat right out of our tanks.

the stuff Greg posted is a very versatile mylar based insulation from what I see. the specs show the R ratings of it so that is a good reference.

[DiscusLoverJeff]

Here is what I bought.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[musicmarn1]

ah ok, perfect guys, thank you for clarifying!

[nc0gnet0]

Cheapest and best option is to get fiberglass ceiling tiles (lay in) and cut to fit. Typically come with a white backing (that you could paint if you don't want a white background).

After you hit a certain point (in terms of numbers of tanks), it might actually be better to insulate the garage itself, and heat with natural gas.

[Champion Discus]

Can I use kitchen foil as tank covers to keep the heat from evaporating? Or will the foil leach off bad chemicals if water touches it?

[kris2341]

styrofoam or even plastic tarp is better, aluminum foil is more a conductor than anything else. All it will do is keep gusts from coming in. styrofoam will keep gusts from wisping way your heat and keep heat from radiating out from the water.

aluminum is better than nothing at all though.