Home Water Heater

[John7429]

I have many of my tanks plumbed together.

The heating gets pretty insane in the winter ($200+ extra per month for about 4~5 months) and was wondering if a small electric home water heater would work.

Like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-GL2-5-2...&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creat

I'm thinking about hooking up to a controller that I have (reefkeeper lite) sitting around from my reef setups. When the temp drops a bit, the controller can activate the power to the heater just a little while to make the temp go up. These heaters have built in thermostats so the water won't be scalding hot when it comes out. As long as I don't use a super big pump and have the return water go into the sump, I shouldn't have to worry about the water temp spiking, especially since the aquarium controller is pretty darn accurate and I can have the power cut off within a couple degrees of water temp change.

Any thoughts? My initial and biggest concern is that the heating element MAY be made of copper. I can't find the specs on what the element is actually made of. I'd like to avoid copper if at all possible for many reasons. The homedepot guy was pretty useless and directed me to the manufacturer's website... couldn't find the info there either.

 

[Knowdafish]

Electric water heaters have HUGE heating elements (electricity wise) 1500 watts or larger. How many watts do you currently use for all your heaters combined? Electricity is electricity and heating water with it should end up costing the same (or more due to inefficiency) no matter what the source.

 

[John7429]

Well, i have around 2000w worth of heaters total. They seem to be constantly on...

I have been slowing converting the glass tanks to acrylic to help... but about half of my tanks are still glass.

 

[Dane]

I don't think you will save any money because water heaters keep their tank at a given temp as well. So now you will be keeping x number of gallons in your tank at a given temp + keeping however many gallons in the water heater warm too.

 

[kallmond]

Have you looked at low-tech options like wrapping the sides/back/top in styrofoam? Obviously less attractive if they're inside show tanks, but I get the feeling they're in your garage or basement.

 

[SemperFish]

have you considered solar heating. I know solar panels are expensive but Im thinking along the lines of the old pool solar heaters that basically circulated water through black tubing over a black surface. the water diverted through theses pipes could get pretty hot.

 

[bwi]

Electric water heaters have HUGE heating elements (electricity wise) 1500 watts or larger. How many watts do you currently use for all your heaters combined? Electricity is electricity and heating water with it should end up costing the same (or more due to inefficiency) no matter what the source.

yea i agree

 

[John7429]

I don't think you will save any money because water heaters keep their tank at a given temp as well. So now you will be keeping x number of gallons in your tank at a given temp + keeping however many gallons in the water heater warm too.

The heaters I'm referring to are tankless or, the one in the link, very small (2.5g). The biggest difference, I'm thinking, is that the stronger heating element will heat the water FASTER, thus needing to be ON less. The water will cool A LOT slower than the heater can bring it back up to temp. Doesn't that mean the heater will be off much less than on? Right now, my 2000w of aquarium heaters are on almost 80% of the time just to keep the water around 75!

Have you looked at low-tech options like wrapping the sides/back/top in styrofoam? Obviously less attractive if they're inside show tanks, but I get the feeling they're in your garage or basement.

I've considered it but I don't think its going to help much because my tanks are touching side by side. I'd have to empty tanks and slide them around to get styro BETWEEN them... I don't think it would help much if the styro was just placed at the ends of the racks...

have you considered solar heating. I know solar panels are expensive but Im thinking along the lines of the old pool solar heaters that basically circulated water through black tubing over a black surface. the water diverted through theses pipes could get pretty hot.

Oorah Devil.
I've looked into this as well. I even gave the idea to another MFK member that was worried about heat. I'm still considering it since they're only a couple hundred bucks but (1) I don't like the look on my roof and I definitely don't want it sitting on the floor and (2) on the coldest days, ie raining, there is little to no heat that would get transferred to the tubing... I'm sure the elect bill would be reduced QUITE A BIT though... just not sure how much.





Thanks everyone for your input! I'm definitely thinking this out and appreciate the feedback.
I hope I don't sound like I'm just shutting your opinions out... debating is NOT arguing or fighting.

 

[John7429]

Electric water heaters have HUGE heating elements (electricity wise) 1500 watts or larger. How many watts do you currently use for all your heaters combined? Electricity is electricity and heating water with it should end up costing the same (or more due to inefficiency) no matter what the source.

wouldn't heating be more efficient with a hotter heating element? These suckers can bring the temp to over 100 almost instantly... If i tone down the internal thermostat a bit, I think its still going to heat the aquariums faster, than aquarium heaters.... no? I know that its 1500w but isn't all that energy in one element more efficient than having it spread out? I'm not sure... just asking.

 

[Dane]

Have you considered turning your furnace on? If your heaters are running that much then the room they are in must be kind of cold.