question for someone to answer

[andy123]

ok I know how heat exchangers work, but I don't know how to put it to the hot water tank. I have a pic and take a look, but basically I want to have the water come out of the bottom of the water tank at the sediment valve, then go threw a pump and then through a heat exchanger and then back into the hot or cold side of the water heater. then the water from the fish tanks will pump through the heat exchanger and go through each tank and run in a circle loop to a sump that will keep the water level. note (that none of the water going through the heat exchanger will entering the tank I was going to use copper pipe and lay it in a continual "S" along the bottom of the tank) what I would do is have a temperature controller to set the temp of the tank. that would plug in both pumps to start pumping the water. when the temp is reached the pumps shut off. this way the hot water wouldn't run as much I would think.. let me know I could be all wrong. if it sounds confusing look at the pic hope it makes sense...

 

[I<3fish]

What size tanks will they be on?

 

[andy123]

I have right now 365, 55, and a few vats. also a bunch of 10's. i want to add 6-55 and 4-75's. I have all the tanks in the garage and it gets cold in there at night during the winter time.. my electric bill just jumps up because the heaters seem to never shut off at night.. even with lids on..

 

[Dr Joe]

Your on the right track. It just gets expensive initially (SS heat xchangers, external pumps CPVC etc).

Box and insulate the xchanger well.

Keep us posted.

Dr Joe

.

 

[zennzzo]

The hot water is static until somebody turns on a hot water tap...no heat exchange...

Just get a tankless hotwater heater...set it to the desired temp and heat your tank water...

 

[nfored]

The hot water is static until somebody turns on a hot water tap...no heat exchange...

Just get a tankless hotwater heater...set it to the desired temp and heat your tank water...

Another member on here about 4 months ago used a tankless water heater, thread complete with instructions and outcome.

 

[cjohll]

it would not even have to be a tankless you can get a small electric tank water heater for under or around $150.

 

[CHOMPERS]

If your hot water heater is natural gas, then it is worth doing. If it is electric, then it isn't. Either way, it will be benifficial to inslulate your garage and garage door.

Drawing from the sediment tap can be an issue at first if you haven't drained the sediment in a while (make sure to do it before putting an exchanger in use). The hot and cold pipes are at the same pressure, so you can draw from the hot side and return to the cold side. Just make sure to add a check valve so the house plumbing doesn't bypass the heater.

 

[vzmachine2]

may be cheaper to insulate the garage and wire in some old electric baseboard heaters to help regulate the temp in the garage. seems cheaper and much more simple than the heated water options (don't know what your cost is with materials) good luck!