I have a 150 gallon glass tank in my garage in Fremont. I have 750 watts of heating capacity and have never had a problem with the water temperature. If you kick it up to 5 watts/gallon during the winter, I really don't think you need the foam. Also, bear in mind that the filter motor will add some additional heat. 5 watts/gallon consumes very little power.
Help keeping a tank warm
- Thread starter piscavore pisces
- Start date
Alright thats exactly what I wanted to hear. Is you heater on 24/7 in the winter?brianp;1297188; said:
piscavore pisces;1298013; said:
For me, the major challenge of keeping the tank in the garage is to prevent overheating during the summer. During July-August, you will probably want to reduce heater capacity to approx. 3 watts/gallon and turn down temp setting by 4-5 degrees, turn off overhead lights, ventilate tank, etc. This allows the tank to cool off at night and absorb additional heat during the hottest part of the day without overheating.
The other thing you should think about too is that in the winter if outside gets down to 50, your not going to get that low inside. Chances are you are going to be at least 5-10 degrees warmer. It shouldn't kill your tank to throw on an extra heater to help with the temp. Just for curiousity sake I would also get a temprature gage for the air in the room so you know what your dealing with as regards ambiant to tank tempratures. You may be suprised.
Yea i was just estimating it would be in the 50's in the garage. I'm watching the news right now and its going to be in the 30's overnight.dr_sudz;1300363; said:
Heck, my HOUSE probably gets down below 50F some nights in the winter 
Because it doesn't get REALLY cold here we dont have central heating, so when we do get cool weather we just tough it out. Might get ice on the inside of the windows a few times a year. No problemo.
No big deal as long as the heaters are sized right. If in doubt run 2 heaters, they will switch off once the temp is high enough or it's summer.
Also, dont worry if it drops a few degrees overnight and comes back up the next day, as long as the drop isn't too great it wont harm the fish.
You can help the heaters and reduce your power bill with a bit of insulation, some polystyrene foam taped to the back and sides will be a big help.
Trying to heat the room is going to take a LOT of power compared to just heating the tank.
Cheers
Ian
Because it doesn't get REALLY cold here we dont have central heating, so when we do get cool weather we just tough it out. Might get ice on the inside of the windows a few times a year. No problemo.No big deal as long as the heaters are sized right. If in doubt run 2 heaters, they will switch off once the temp is high enough or it's summer.
Also, dont worry if it drops a few degrees overnight and comes back up the next day, as long as the drop isn't too great it wont harm the fish.
You can help the heaters and reduce your power bill with a bit of insulation, some polystyrene foam taped to the back and sides will be a big help.
Trying to heat the room is going to take a LOT of power compared to just heating the tank.
Cheers
Ian
Your other option is to hang a group of pendulum lights over the tank with radiant heat bulbs. Two would probubly work in your case or 4. Safer and more economical than space heaters and you can aviod the "Tank blanket" option making your fish easier to view. They will also cut down a bit on the size of the in tank heater you need. The heat lamps can be wired to a fairly inexpencive thurmostat so you won't forget to turn them on OR run them when it's not necessary.
I have all my hoses, the intakes and returns wrapped with foam.. it's the foam you use in the house wrapped over the hot water pipes...I also have the canasters wrapped with Duct wrap, it helps keep cost down during the summer with the air condition on in the house and during the winter since the basement is must cooler then the rest of the house during the winter
