Anyone using a Gas Heater for Tank System

[o2manyfish]

I am looking into efficient means of heating 1400g of salt water. I am using 1800w currently and the cost is going to get ridiculous to keep things warm outside.

So I want to use gas to heat the system. I am thinking of a medium sized gas water heater, with a loop to a sump. I am just not sure what to use as a heat exchanger in the sump.

Any ideas ?

Dave B

[discocarp]

I was recently looking into these as I plan to keep a large sump on my porch. Aquatic eco systems has both gas heaters and titanium heat exchangers.

Here are the ones I was looking at. They also have larger sizes of both:


Gas Heater (http://www.aquaticeco.com/aquatic1v1/itempg.icl?orderidentifier=ID107040554250042275B&eflag=0&iteminfo4=0&itmid=4095&passitemid=4095)

Heat exchanger (http://www.aquaticeco.com/aquatic1v1/itempg.icl?orderidentifier=ID107040554250042275B&eflag=0&iteminfo4=0&itmid=6703&passitemid=6703)

The big question for me is what happens when I run out of gas. I don't have natural gas, so I'd be using a propane tank. I'm not sure if they make regulators that will show me the pressure inside a gas cylinder so I can see when its getting low (like my CO2 tanks).

Peter

[discocarp]

Also, can I ask you a question? With 1400 gal outside you are using 1800 watts of heat for 1400 gallons. Are these tanks insulated? Open top or not? How cold is the coldest night you've been able to maintain the heat with 1800 watts?

I ask because I'm VERY unsure about what my actual heating needs will be with my sump on the porch.

Peter

[o2manyfish]

Disco,

My 1400g outside, the sumps are insulated with bubble wrap, the prop tanks are not - Everything is open topped.

The silly little heaters I have now work until the temperature outside hits the 40's then they can't maintain temp anylonger.

Dave B

[discocarp]

So in your experience, a 125g system with an approx 300g insulated sump (sides w/fiberglass, top just acrylic sheet as airtight as I can make it), sump on porch, tank inside, with 2500 watts of heat, should be ok? I'm in central florida, low is about 20 degrees, but this is very rare.

Peter

PS: Let me know how the gas heater works out if you decide to try it. I'm very curious about them.

[minfinger]

I think your biggest problem would not be maintaining heat, but keep it cool during the summer months, ESP August and September.

[o2manyfish]

Minfinger,

My system is already established, I resolved the summer issues by burying a 360g tank 6' down in the yard and using geothermal cooling.

Works great, it's fed by gravity, and it works awesome - no electricity at all.

Dave B

[Steve1714]

Hi dave,
This Is Steve Garrett from Costa mesa
Rember I use a 30 gal gas water to heat my 1000gal sps farm system. If you need help designing one come by and i will show you how mine works.
Also you hafto insulate your tanks! Go to home depot and Purchase a 4X8 sheep of 1 1/2" styrofoam board and replace that buble wrap with it before it really gets cold.

give me a call if you need help 714 914 2953

[minfinger]

Dave,

Yeah I knew about yours. You've got a sweet thing going on.

I was talking to Disco.

[discocarp]

Summer heat is definately an issue, but I think a 10-15 degree cooldown is a lot easier than a 60 degree heat up. I'm planning on a 1/2 HP chiller by summer.

Peter

[o2manyfish]

Hey Steve,

Thanks for the post, haven't seen you around in awhile. I remember about your system. I just wanted to use something more efficient for the heat transfer. I want to use a Titanium Heat exchanger, but don't want to spend the 600+ for the Titanium.

We need to get together though either way. Hopefully you will make it up to LA for the So Cal Frag Swap in Jan.

Dave B