jim r Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 looking for ways to heat my fishroom ( when finished ) any input on solar heating,or any other suggestions would be appreciated, thanks. jim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 You could save energy by using solar to preheat water for water changes. I have a friend who many years ago used wind to drive an alternater which heated an oil storage heater (not sure how effective that was) I found when heating a purpose built fish house that if you insulate the hell out of it your heating costs are minimal particularly if you are using lights to grow plants. I used to heat 40-50 tanks with a one bar heater going only for short times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim r Posted November 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 Thanks Alanmin I do intend to insulate the hell out of it and also considering pre-heating for water changes (was hoping to get s/ steel element for that ) I intend having at least 10 heavily planted tanks with appropriate lighting. Was wondering if solar heating pipes were made of copper and if so would it be sufficient to cause me problems as I intend having a few discus tanks. I am also considering a heat pump so if any of you guys can offer advice please do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 Hi there Jim, nice to have met you the other arvo. I have converted a garden shed (State house type) into my mini fish room. When I moved it I put in a concrete floor with drainage in case of spills. Then as the years went by I realized the cost of heating could almost be eliminated by using some solar panels I just happened to have lying around. So I used PVC piping, about 30mm, id., and made a maze of it using differing lengths and elbows. This was placed on the floor that had a layer of 12mm polystyrene on it then 50mm of concrete poured over the lot. The theory is that during the day, the water circulating thru the pipes heats the concrete that acts as a heat storage that release it's heat at night. It has not been finished yet as I have found that with the killies, I don't need a sweat box to work in and with over 50mm of poly on the walls, and the fluros going I don't need to go onto that at the moment. But who knows, I may change my fish keeping ways one day. Alan 104 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim r Posted November 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 thanks Alan much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 If I were to go into breeding discus I would look seriously at using a heat exchanger to transfer the heat from the water going out to that coming in. It is a matter of scale and convenience realy, what is going to work for you. I still think the best way to save money is to insulate the hell out of it and use the sun to grow plants wherever possible. Many people start off with a bang, get a nice set up then die when the first power bill comes in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim r Posted November 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 between cleaning/fridge/pruning/fridge/water changes/fridge/ and drooling this makes breeding a secondary consideration, the pleasure for me is looking at them, besides it would seem there is a certain gentleman on this site who breeds enough quality discus to go round.However a heat exchanger sounds like a possibility I will need to look into this. Also wondering if a generator back-up is a worthwhile investment ? thanks Alanmin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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