AquaticSuppliers.com     Golden State Discus

Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 55

Thread: Tank insulation... a money saver!

  1. #1
    Administrator jeep's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    O.P. KS
    Posts
    6,607
    Real Name
    Brian

    Default Tank insulation... a money saver!

    Just thought I'd share an idea I use for insulating my tanks.

    The product is called Reflectix and can be found at several home improvement stores. It's thin (about 1/4&quot and resembles a sheet of bubble-wrap that has been laminated with reflective foil. It comes in widths from 16" to 48" and is 25' long. It appears to be a little expensive at first (about $16 for a 16" x 25' roll), but the energy savings is huge!

    First off, I was using 300w glass heaters in my 55's just to maintain 82-84 degrees in the winter time (yes, I like it cold in my house ;D ) and I had noticed the lights in the heater were on almost constantly, and I figured I was spending around $25 per month per tank (winter time) just to heat them. Since using Reflectix, I have reduced my 55g tanks to 100w Won titanium heaters and they cycle on and off for just a few seconds every 5 to 7 minutes. I think the energy savings this next winter will be great!

    Reflectix boasts up to a 97% reflection ratio of radiated heat (tank water), so most of the heat loss is through the tank lid and through the face of the tank. The R-value is rated up to an R-19.56, the equivelent of about 3+ FEET of fiberglass insulation. So far this summer, my highest electric bill has been $37 and I'm up to 9 tanks. If you want to get real efficent, 3-M makes a product for insulating windows that is a thin/clear plastic film that can be applied to the face of your tank with a hair drier. This will make your glass tank more resemble and acryllic tank and the heat loss ratio is much less.

    Below is a picture of Reflectix being applied to the tanks we put in Jack's fishroom. Sorry to borrow the pic, but I don't have a digital camera yet. To many fish on order ;D

    We cut the insulation to length and use strapping tape to tape all around the insulation to make an air-tight seal. This is the only way this insulation will be effective.

    Hope this provides some ideas on cost-effectiveness.

    Brian


  2. #2
    Registered Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Posts
    101

    Default Re:Tank insulation... a money saver!

    I have been hoping someone would post about this, my electric for my heating my tanks cost me about $100-$150 month, this might just drop that to less than half (hopefully).
    Great idea Brian, thanx a huge bunch ($)

    Lets see savings of $50-$75/mo for about 5 months, about $250-$275 thats a nice order of discus by spring, just what I need to jump start some of my breeding dreams/plans . . .

    I'll let you know how I make out with this insulation this winter.

  3. #3
    SimplyDiscus Sponsor and University Discus_KC's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Location
    Kansas City. Missouri
    Posts
    2,394
    Real Name
    Jack

    Default Re:Tank insulation... a money saver!

    Thanks Brian for the idea in the first place. ;D ;D

    You can use pics anytime you want ! I had a flashback for a sec.

    It is worth every penny.

    Jack

  4. #4
    Administrator jeep's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    O.P. KS
    Posts
    6,607
    Real Name
    Brian

    Default Re:Tank insulation... a money saver!

    You've come a long way since that photo was taken! 8)

  5. #5
    Registered Member
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Posts
    936

    Default Re:Tank insulation... a money saver!

    Good thread Jeeper.

    Glad to see you helping the section too

  6. #6
    Registered Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Bismarck, ND
    Posts
    94

    Default Re:Tank insulation... a money saver!

    I use the same type of insulation, it works well. One question though... How do you attach the insulation at the vertical seams where the sides meet the front glass? Do you wrap the insulation and/or tape partially around to the front of the tank? I have tried to just tape to the sides of the tank, but the tape just sticks to the paint. Eventually the tape and paint peel off the tank. The tank below was only insulated about a week ago. The top corner is already coming undone.

  7. #7
    Administrator jeep's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    O.P. KS
    Posts
    6,607
    Real Name
    Brian

    Default Re:Tank insulation... a money saver!

    Thanks Denny

    Brandy, When I attach mine, I use strapping tape. The kind you use for reinforcing shipping boxes. It seems to last longer than most other tapes and will not stretch out of shape.

    When I attach the insulation to the tank, I actually stick the tape on the face of the tank first (in about the thickness of the glass/seam (1/4"?)) and the attach the insulation to the tape. Then I lay the tank on end and pull it tight all around to the other end. Then I cut the insulation, apply the tape to the other front seam, tuck the insulation under the tape and press it all tight. As long as you don't apply the tape further than the thickness of the glass seam, it'll be nearly invisible. Then I tape all the way around the tank on all seams. If the insulation is not wide enough to cover the entire tank, just cut a strip wide enough and splice it in. It doesn't have to be one piece, it just has to be air tight.

    Does this make sense?

  8. #8
    Registered Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Bismarck, ND
    Posts
    94

    Default Re:Tank insulation... a money saver!

    Okay, thanks for the help! When you say strapping tape do you mean the clear stuff with white fibers running through it?

  9. #9
    Administrator jeep's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    O.P. KS
    Posts
    6,607
    Real Name
    Brian

    Default Re:Tank insulation... a money saver!

    Yes, it's only about 1" wide.

  10. #10
    Registered Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    34

    Default Re:Tank insulation... a money saver!

    Jeep, great idea. What part of the store would you find this product, insulation, duct work, etc? I went to a local Home Depot here in Michigan and they did not know what I was talking about. I will have to try Lowes and some other places. Thanks for the idea.

  11. #11
    Administrator jeep's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    O.P. KS
    Posts
    6,607
    Real Name
    Brian

    Default Re:Tank insulation... a money saver!

    Try the insulation department at Lowes. HD doesn't have it in my area

  12. #12
    Registered Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    34

    Default Re:Tank insulation... a money saver!

    Jeep, Went to a different Home Depot in my area and they had the stuff, 16" X 25' for $14.89. Thanks again.

  13. #13
    Registered Member slicksta's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Posts
    1,047

    Default Re:Tank insulation... a money saver!

    .....was thinking of doing my tanks before this winter too.
    just used this stuff over the summer helping a friend build a wine room at his house in Florida.....Worked Great and easy to use. Found it at Lowes.
    I use a clear packing tape for my backgrounds.....never peels so it should be perfect for this as well.

  14. #14
    Registered Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    34

    Default Re:Tank insulation... a money saver!

    Reflectic makes a tape to go with their product. Somewhat pricey though. I used it on one of my tanks and it worked well. I do not know how easy it will be to remove if I ever have to and do noe want to find out anytime soon.

  15. #15
    Registered Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    110

    Default Re:Tank insulation... a money saver!

    is the reflective foil on both side or just one side?

    thanks

Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Cafepress