Tank In Garage

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
shua71 said:
Is the point of the LED to warm up the water?
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No Point is if you add EPS roof u cant shine lights threw an EPS Sheet and it can cause a fire, A LED strip is safe to be in water or right on top, slim line and wont product much heat compared to other lights.

It really is the best way to go about it, I dont see the point in building a room around the tank when u can insulate right onto the tank and get better results for a cheaper price. If you build a room and you leave a gap cold air can get it and hot air can exit, Placing foam over 5 sheets of glass is pretty simple + you get a free background of your color choice. Your only down side is if you ever want to move or sell the tank you have to spare 20-30 minutes to remove the EPS.
 
Squirtle919 said:
No Point is if you add EPS roof u cant shine lights threw an EPS Sheet and it can cause a fire, A LED strip is safe to be in water or right on top, slim line and wont product much heat compared to other lights.

It really is the best way to go about it, I dont see the point in building a room around the tank when u can insulate right onto the tank and get better results for a cheaper price. If you build a room and you leave a gap cold air can get it and hot air can exit, Placing foam over 5 sheets of glass is pretty simple + you get a free background of your color choice. Your only down side is if you ever want to move or sell the tank you have to spare 20-30 minutes to remove the EPS.
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Oh okay I understand what you're saying now and this method sounds great. Also I have a sump should I do the same with that as well?
 
I live in middle Alabama, i have my 55 in setup in my garage and didnt have any problems with temps this winter. It was a warm winter this year but it did dip low and stay in the 20-30s a couple times for couple days. I use a 300w on my 55 and it pretty much heated the garage. I dont think it run to much either. What i did was come up with the min plan i wanted but prepared to spend the max. IE I bought heater for a bigger tank and let it run. I didnt have the tank full stocked at first so I was welling to let it roll a little. If i was to setup it up now i probably would have put 2 heaters in it, but i know its not needed now. I am working on setting up a 210g to replace my 55. I am not sure what I am going to do to heat it. Remember its easier to heat water vs cool it.
 
What are the summer temps in LA
 
shua71 said:
Oh okay I understand what you're saying now and this method sounds great. Also I have a sump should I do the same with that as well?
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I would do the sump also, But what I do is cover all 4 sides and make the roof non fixed but a tight fit. cut the holes for the plumbing out with a circle saw and run them threw the hole.

You could take it to the next level and use insulated PVC or add some to the pipes but I dont think there would be huge amounts of heat lost in pipes. I believe plastics general R value is 0.80 or so which is good enough.

Also when painting EPS remember u need water based paints and a undercoat(2 layers) I would spray it if you can. you end up wasting to much paint with a roller trying to get it into all the little holes.
 
All the tanks I have had in the garage have been heated just fine with regular heaters. LA will seldom get to 35F and when it does(if) it isnt for prolonged periods of time. If it is going to be a concern and money is the object, insulate the three sides like mentioned but absolutely insulate the top as heat will rise right up and out of that tank. I think you will be fine in the winter with the tanks in the garage. My problems have been the summer and trying to keep the tanks cool...even with the doors open.
 
My tank is in the garage too. Never had a problem keeping it heated. Also in the la area. Seriously its so cal. It never gets too cold for your heaters. If u wana save power then yes that would be a concern. Just keep the garage door closed during the winter or do the insulation like everyone is suggesting. For me I don't do any of that and my sump even sits on the cold concret and ik have no problems

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boldtogether said:
All the tanks I have had in the garage have been heated just fine with regular heaters. LA will seldom get to 35F and when it does(if) it isnt for prolonged periods of time. If it is going to be a concern and money is the object, insulate the three sides like mentioned but absolutely insulate the top as heat will rise right up and out of that tank. I think you will be fine in the winter with the tanks in the garage. My problems have been the summer and trying to keep the tanks cool...even with the doors open.
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It wont be too much to heat it without insulation but at the end of the day you might have the tank for a few years so can save 100$ on heating it why not?

As for cooling ;) Get big plastic jugs like the ones water comes in think they are 20L (down here they are you should have some up there) When you do ur next w/c fill them up. into the freezer then when the tank gets hot place it in. if your tanks not large use smaller bottles saves freezer space too. I find this works great for me we get some days that are 40C and the tanks can get pretty hot it works fast and is cheap compared to a chiller.
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys. My main concern really wasn't not being able to heat up the tanks but rather heating up the tanks at a lower cost and saving up electricity $$. I might keep it simple and insulate the 3 sides of the tank and the top and be done with it since it seems like it wouldn't be too bad being in the garage.

For those of you in the socal area with a tank in an uninsulated garage, how much does your electricity bill go up due to heating costs?
 
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