ibc tote question

[Richemmers]

I have a fishroom in my garage thats heated and i need to store water as I dont have running water out there yet, thats a project for the spring. On the non heated side of the garage I was thinking of putting a IBC tote to store water.

I was thinking of wrapping it with insulation, and then framing it out with 2x4's and plywood. Drop in a 500 watt heater and powerhead, so I could have water ready for water changes.

My question is , do you think if I have it off the floor, wrapped with R-19 insulation , foam board insulation 1/2" plywood and the heater it would hold the temp of around 78 degrees? I live in Michigan so it does get cold in the winter, but the side of the garage where it would be set up is insulated just not heated so it does get down to 35-40 degrees on the coldest of days. I would fill it up and let it sit for 24-48 hrs before I did the water changes, all my tanks are 20 longs so it wont be a huge amount of water during changes

 

[Sassafras]

I'm in a warmer climate, but garage still gets down to 40-45 deg. in winter. I have a 500 gallon poly tank, uninsulated, in the garage for water changes and heat it with 4 x 500w heaters. Even in cold weather I can heat the tank to the mid-70s in about 2-3 days uninsulated. I monitor the temp and do the water changes when it reaches 75 deg. or so. I don't try to hold the temperature for long, too much $$$, just heat and use. I just bought a tankless water heater and plan to install before cold weather sets in. This should allow me to either fill slowly with water at the desired temp or fill fast and circulate and heat much more quickly that with my current drop in heaters.