Thermostat and heater advice

[Noto]

I'm setting up a 125 on my screened-in porch. I want to keep it from dropping below 40 F. Local temps are usually 20 F or above, occasionally lower for brief periods. Extended freezes are rare.

So, my ideas so far:

Build a plastic enclosure all around the tank to help insulate it. Hook multiple 250W heaters to a thermostat to maintain minimum temperature. Use powerheads to circulate warm water, add a little extra heat. Incandescent lights in hood for extra heat. Open up enclosure on warm days, remove after last frost.

Any thoughts on my plan? Suggestions for type of thermostat to buy?

 

[skjl47]

Hello; Putting plastic over the openings of the porch or just hanging tarps to enclose the area of the tank should help a lot. I had some tanks in a basement for a time. I sectioned off the tank area with green tarps to help hold in heat when the garage door was opened. I rolled a length of pipe or such into the bottom of the tarps to add weight and keep them in place. There was a noteable temperature difference behind the tarps. I made a simple doorway by hanging overlaping layers in a space about three feet wide. During warm spells or when I needed access I was able to roll the tarp up and tie it in place at the top. Just untie it and roll it back down when i wanted to hold in the heat.

 

[Noto]

Thanks, glad to hear it worked for you! Your setup sounds similar to the enclosure I am planning, though I will probably use clear plastic instead of tarps.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; I tried plastic and it worked for a time. It was not as durable over time as the tarps, prone to cuts and tears after a while. I used tarps in the basement for several years. I had some lengths of sturdy pipe along the bottom fastened with zip ties to the grommets of a tarp. The round pipes made it easier to roll up the tarps. I nailed light chords near the top on one side of the tarp with a loop at one end so that when i rolled the tarp up I could slip the loop over a nail on the other side of the tarp and hold it in place. I found a doorway would hang better if at least one layer was cloth, sometimes two layers of an old sheet workd pretty good as a door way. With plastic it was necessary to fasten some weght to the bottom to get it to hang straight.
Could you tape some foam or other insulation to the non viewing sides of the tank??