DIY solar heating for pond

[RadleyMiller]

Next summer, we are going to be converting our 600 gallon all year pond into a summer residence for cichlids (such as oscars), some pacu, and plecos. What I want to do is to have heating system for the pond that is easy. I know about the Passive Solar Heating and I was wondering if I could do this for the pond water.

1. Take a small pump about 250 gph
2. Have it pump up to a 2' by 2' box filled with aluminum foil/silver spray paint and a plexiglass cover.
3. The water will flow through the box in a black PVC

4. The many bends should slow the water down considerably so more heat can be added to the water.

Alternate design where water is pumped into a 5 gallon bucket at the top, flows down the bucket in a spiral, and extis the bottom of the bucket back into the pond. This bucket is also covered by plexiglass to keep more heat in and more junk out.

Any suggestions?

 

[WyldFya]

I don't know how warm your summers are out there, but if they are like philly I would say not to do it. Out here in Idaho we hit 100+ during the summer which takes a 2200 gallon swimming pool up to 90 degrees, using a solar heating system. Another problem will be during the night, unless you get a cover for the pond that does not allow heat to escape you will lose a considerable amount of heat. The flux will probably be around 20 degrees or more over the night.

 

[RadleyMiller]

I don't know how warm your summers are out there, but if they are like philly I would say not to do it. Out here in Idaho we hit 100+ during the summer which takes a 2200 gallon swimming pool up to 90 degrees, using a solar heating system. Another problem will be during the night, unless you get a cover for the pond that does not allow heat to escape you will lose a considerable amount of heat. The flux will probably be around 20 degrees or more over the night.

Days mid 80s
Nights low 70s
Water has a heat capacity of 4.184 j/g*k
Change in degrees Kelvin is approx 8 Kelvin per day

someone else can finish this up, I am really bad at Thermochemistry

 

[Potts050]

Days mid 80s
Nights low 70s
Water has a heat capacity of 4.184 j/g*k
Change in degrees Kelvin is approx 8 Kelvin per day

someone else can finish this up, I am really bad at Thermochemistry

Dont worry about the thermodynamcs. Use a thermostat to turn your pump off when the pond reaches the temperature that you want. QED

 

[RadleyMiller]

QED

sounds good