DIY Radiant heater for my 1500 gallon tank
- Thread starter VLDesign
- Start date
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leather;4200729; said:I understand what it is doing, and its a fine way to do this. I have a similar design working for a pond. Mine is off of a hot water boiler. I have also done this with a temporary set up to heat pools up for parties and picnics. The difference is that the water isn't always the same water, it flushes through the water heater and is replaced by more freshwater. That is what makes it an open system. It is not an atmospheric loop, because its under pressure, buts its not closed because it doesn't use the same water all the time.
are you sure thats the case? its sound like to me, atleast from the way VL is explaining it that the water running through the pex tubing never actually leaves the hot water heater. It just stays in the heater and is cerculated through the tubing. The water is simply being used as a medium to transfer heat. maybe im wrong tho
Yes I'm sure. That is his water heater. The same water that goes through the pex this time will be washing his clothes next time. I am just trying to help him to keep from contaminating his hot water supply with rust, and to eliminate a very serious failure. This circulator will have a very shortened life, how short depends on his tap water. When it stops he is going to have to buy a new one and hopefully it gets caught before the temp in the tank drops too low. I repeat I am just trying to help.tscharf;4202371; said:are you sure thats the case? its sound like to me, atleast from the way VL is explaining it that the water running through the pex tubing never actually leaves the hot water heater. It just stays in the heater and is cerculated through the tubing. The water is simply being used as a medium to transfer heat. maybe im wrong tho
I have no idea about the pump and it being ok but this is an open system.
If the hot water heater was not plumbed to the house and the exact same water was constantly used on the tank it would be closed, and you could use a substance like anitfreeze to transfer heat faster.
But as mentioned new water is flowing into the hot water tank as hot water is used in the house making the system open.
If the hot water heater was not plumbed to the house and the exact same water was constantly used on the tank it would be closed, and you could use a substance like anitfreeze to transfer heat faster.
But as mentioned new water is flowing into the hot water tank as hot water is used in the house making the system open.
leather;4202712; said:Yes I'm sure. That is his water heater. The same water that goes through the pex this time will be washing his clothes next time. I am just trying to help him to keep from contaminating his hot water supply with rust, and to eliminate a very serious failure. This circulator will have a very shortened life, how short depends on his tap water. When it stops he is going to have to buy a new one and hopefully it gets caught before the temp in the tank drops too low. I repeat I am just trying to help.
Please elaborate more for me as I am not obviously as informed as you.
The way I look at it, is that new water is always going to be flowing in and out of that hot water tank, as we take showers, wash clothes, etc.....
In this case, while the water is sitting in the tank, hot, he is setting up a pump so that the warm water flows to the sump, where a coil of pex sits, therefore radiating the heat from the hot water tank, to the sump, without actually - only radiated.
How does this cause rust in the hot water tank?
Of course, the temp could vary in the tank, if my wife decides to take a nice long shower with all the jets going, like she usually does.... and empties the hot water tank.... which she does. But if one were to have a standard heater as back up - ok i would think.
if you could comment on the rust aspect... apprecaited. If it due to it being a nat gas water heater, do comment if you could as well.
Appreciated.
Plum;4203427; said:Please elaborate more for me as I am not obviously as informed as you.
The way I look at it, is that new water is always going to be flowing in and out of that hot water tank, as we take showers, wash clothes, etc.....
In this case, while the water is sitting in the tank, hot, he is setting up a pump so that the warm water flows to the sump, where a coil of pex sits, therefore radiating the heat from the hot water tank, to the sump, without actually - only radiated.
How does this cause rust in the hot water tank?
Of course, the temp could vary in the tank, if my wife decides to take a nice long shower with all the jets going, like she usually does.... and empties the hot water tank.... which she does. But if one were to have a standard heater as back up - ok i would think.
if you could comment on the rust aspect... apprecaited. If it due to it being a nat gas water heater, do comment if you could as well.
Appreciated.
Its just the inside of the circulator that will be causing rust. The rust will eventually be pumped back to the water heater.
It is the same if you took a piece of cast iron and put it in your sink and filled it with water and let it sit for a while. The cast iron will oxide causing rust.
This model circulator is not meant to be used in water which is oxygenated. They make special circulators, most commonly bronze which are meant for this type of usage. Most commonly Taco 006 but grundfos has bronze circulators too. They just cost more, usually twice as much. If he doesn't care thats fine, I was just trying to help.
The temp. change won't affect the heat in the aquarium, if the temp goes down it will just run longer. That is what is nice and flexible about doing this.
OK I am seeing what you are talking about now.. After reading some more info about the pump they do mention about air issues when using them on residential water supplies like what I have setup. Interestingly though Taco 005 pumps while also cast iron claim to be for residential water supplies so I am not too sure if the notes about grundfos cast iron pumps are there to be helpful or just for legal reasons. Kind of like when silicon tubes say not for aquariums.
So, it's too late now to worry about it now as I cannot return the pump, so best I can do is watch it and check it every few months and if I notice stuff not working or rusting out, then I can replace it at a later date.
So, it's too late now to worry about it now as I cannot return the pump, so best I can do is watch it and check it every few months and if I notice stuff not working or rusting out, then I can replace it at a later date.
VLDesign;4200485; said:60 cents a month in electricity. No estimates on gas for the hot water heater.
Where I live gas is a pittance compared to power, so way to go man!
