Heating multiple fish tanks in my fish store?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
heat the whole room. thats what the place i worked at did.
we used several dehumidifiers an they put out alot! of heat, that was our main heat source, also we had many metal halides running that helped to warm the store too. we didn't have any room heater besides the dehumidifiers, so, two birds with one stone, i think that would be the best way to go.
 
It will cost less to heat the room use water heaters for the more finiky species that like it a little warmer.
 
I wouldn't keep the store itself above 75 or so, though. As much as it isn't ideal, its certainly not unhealthy to keep tropicals at 75, IMO. Heaters for very warm water fish, but otherwise, just a moderately warm ambient temperature. Really high temps will cause humidity problems, and make your customers uncomfortable, and you dont want that!
 
Heating the room is the most efficient. Heavy drapes or a good accordian door can keep the heat in a smaller area than heating the whole store at night. Make sure the ceiling and walls are well insulated and that there are no drafts coming from doors or windows. Heat rises so make sure if the ceiling is high that you use ceiling fans to push the heated air back down. Keep warmer water species higher up and the fish that like cooler water in the lower tanks.
 
For a fish room heating the whole room is the best way to go, I have a dehumidifier and a temperature control space heater.
But for a fish store I would not recommend this at all even though its the most efficient and cost effective. I have seen other fish stores that do this and I hate it! You walk in and the first thing I want to do is get out because its so hot. Which also makes it less likely of me buying fish. But that's my opinion,
 
Well I want to thank all of you for your answers. But I am still trying to find a better way than heating the building. Now of course I don't let it get to cold but I cant let it get to hot either. have to keep customers happy and buying.

By the way all tanks are separate no central system like large sump etc...

So any ideas on how to heat them in any other manner.
Does anyone have experience with Reptile heat tape that is like 8" wide and 5-9watt per foot? does it heat well?

I want to keep tanks around 75*f in both salt and fresh during the winter.

I even take off the wall ideas, just throw them out here no one will bash you.

And if you have a local fish store and can ask them please do. maybe they know something I don't.
 
Thanks for taking the time ALL of YOU to give me some good answers.

By the way the tanks are all separate no central sump system.

I do keep the building warm but not hot I have to keep clients in the store to buy. So heating the place to much is not a good idea for business. But we do not make it very cold at all.

Please if you do have a local fish stor ask what they are doing or would do. may be they know...

Does anyone have exsprinse with 8" Flat heat tape like
http://www.bigappleherp.com/Flex-Wa...2d4bc874.e3eSbNmQaheLe34Say0?sc=2&category=14
Does is heat very well? how warm does it get?

Please if you can think of anything no matter how weird please post it. Any heating Ideas.
 
What if you build a wall out of steel and plexi glass about 1' in front of the tanks all around the store and keep behind that wall warm, 70-75* plus and keep the store cooler? Just build doors you can open that are just wide enough to get to the tanks. So if you tanks are 24" long, build a door about 24-30" wide. Maybe?
 
To keep tanks at 75 requires heating the room to a temperature ABOVE 75.

I prefer the approach of heating the room to the comfortable level - say 76 or 78 - and keeping heaters in each tank to make up the difference / keep temps consistent. The heaters won't run much for most tanks but will be there when needed.

Keeping tanks covered will also help keep heat "in". Some also wrap tanks in heat insulating film (other than the front). Of course, that only works (well) if the heat is "in" the tank (i.e. a heater).
 
I prefer the approach of heating the room to the comfortable level - say 76 or 78
Click to expand...

70-72*F seems comfortable. 76-78 is a little hot for me and most people.
 
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