heat

[Ceahorse]

Been looking over people rooms.

I was wondering what you guys are using to heat up your Resevoirs ( spelling / the big tanks for water to changes)

If your not heating them, please mention it. .. I'd like to see the options

Ceaz..

[rickztahone]

Been looking over people rooms.

I was wondering what you guys are using to heat up your Resevoirs ( spelling / the big tanks for water to changes)

If your not heating them, please mention it. .. I'd like to see the options

Ceaz..

i think a heater is the only way to keep a aging tote or container up to temp

[Eddie]

I know Ed13 uses the sun's heat to keep his outdoor containers warm. ;)

Eddie

[KDodds]

For small changes, it's not really necessary, but for large changes the "reservoir" water should be at least close to tank temp. This doesn't mean that it needs to be heated 24/7 (unless you're doing those massive changes daily), but only as needed.

[Ceahorse]

This thing is.. doesn't it require a lot of wattage to heat the water up, if your only bringin it up to temp for the time of the water changes.. ( i could be wrong) Im sure though that 24\7 would be even worse.

I was wondering though for some specifics.

ie.. i fill my tank and a set my heater to turn on 2 hours before i do water changes..

The problem is the wife is big on the "cost" of my hobbies. So if i can cut some corners it would help to convince.

[Eddie]

Your only problem would be the outside temperature. If your storage container is in a cold room, the temp will be very cold. 2 hours won't warm it up enough to be close to the same temp. If you have the container in a warm room, it could possibly warm up within 2 hours. Something that you would have to test.

Eddie

[Ceahorse]

maybe i could use a metal tank and heat it with a gas hotplate. (all cooking here is done with them)

[KDodds]

The cost of running teh heater would be wattage draw/1000 * minutes/60 = kW/h. So, 2 350W heaters running for 15 minutes would cost 1.75¢ at 10¢ per kW/h. HTH.

[discussmith]

I don't think that's correct. 1000 watts an hour = .10 so 700 watts for 15 min. cannot = $1.75. At those rates if they ran 2min. every hour, 24hours a day they would cost $170 every thirty days. I don't think any of us would keep fish in cold climates at those costs.

[KDodds]

I don't think that's correct. 1000 watts an hour = .10 so 700 watts for 15 min. cannot = $1.75. At those rates if they ran 2min. every hour, 24hours a day they would cost $170 every thirty days. I don't think any of us would keep fish in cold climates at those costs.

Doh, you're right it should be .175¢, sorry about that.

[MostlyDiscus]

Thx DSmith,, I was getting ready to call my power company to turn myself in.

Ed

[jeff@zina.com]

Mine is left at room temp. It averages 5-10 degrees F below the tank temps and I do 50% or less at a time so it's never been an issue.

Jeff

[EDIT] By the way, my cories will always spawn right after a decent sized water change.

[Chad Hughes]

I use a bucket heater. I have a 110 gallon plastic tank in my garage that I make and store RO water in. I turn the heater on Friday and use the heated water Saturday morning. It is attached to a controller to achieve a perfect 84 degree water change!