DIY submersible water heater, build your own water heater - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-28T17:24:43Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/diy-heater-submersible-heater-build-your-own-2000-watt-element?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A428181&feed=yes&xn_auth=noJeff, I like to make it water…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-02-08:4778851:Comment:5963542015-02-08T22:41:36.457ZRob Nashhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RobNash
<p>Jeff, I like to make it water proof, even in the through wall set up,. so I can rest assure the GFI will trip if it does leak. ..I advise folks with kids and skeptical wives etc, and like to take every precaution.</p>
<p>you want the area to hold water if it leaks, this is what makes the contact with the green ground wire, thus tripping the GFI</p>
<p>the most common issue I see with leaking is the hose clamps.. most folks use a flat head screw driver to tighten it, and after the rubber gets…</p>
<p>Jeff, I like to make it water proof, even in the through wall set up,. so I can rest assure the GFI will trip if it does leak. ..I advise folks with kids and skeptical wives etc, and like to take every precaution.</p>
<p>you want the area to hold water if it leaks, this is what makes the contact with the green ground wire, thus tripping the GFI</p>
<p>the most common issue I see with leaking is the hose clamps.. most folks use a flat head screw driver to tighten it, and after the rubber gets cold and contracts a bit, the hose clamp is no longer tight enough.,. so two things.. use a 5/16 nut driver to tighten it, and then re tighten it a day after its sat in the water,,, I have three of these that have been submerged for three years now, still doing the job and no leaks..</p>
<p>sorry for the slow reply.. haven't been on in a while.</p> Is there a reason the element…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-12-28:4778851:Comment:5908802014-12-28T21:51:06.498ZJeff Shttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JeffSullivan
<p>Is there a reason the element can't be placed closer to top of the tank?<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Rob Nash said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/diy-heater-submersible-heater-build-your-own-2000-watt-element?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A590874&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment590689"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Jeff S - Ive drained it down to about 4 inches and left the fish in there, then filled it back up.. the last time, I had…</p>
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<p>Is there a reason the element can't be placed closer to top of the tank?<br/> <br/> <cite>Rob Nash said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/diy-heater-submersible-heater-build-your-own-2000-watt-element?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A590874&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment590689"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Jeff S - Ive drained it down to about 4 inches and left the fish in there, then filled it back up.. the last time, I had a helper hold his hand over the hole while I replaced it.. only lost less than 1 gallon of water.</p>
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<p>Joe - Yes.. the submersible unit can sit in a raft... does not need a cover.</p>
<p>I have one 5500 watt unit, ran at 240v warming 2500 gallons in a 36 x 8 ft raft and 1000 gallon fish tank.</p>
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</blockquote> Rob, The only problem I've ha…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-12-28:4778851:Comment:5908772014-12-28T19:43:30.134ZJeff Shttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JeffSullivan
<p>Rob, The only problem I've had in the past with this type submersible heater was water leaking into the cavity behind the element where the wires connect. With your set up what is the purpose of making the outside of the tank area waterproof? Seems like if you did ever develop a leak it would be better if the water didn't gather up around the wire connections.</p>
<p>Rob, The only problem I've had in the past with this type submersible heater was water leaking into the cavity behind the element where the wires connect. With your set up what is the purpose of making the outside of the tank area waterproof? Seems like if you did ever develop a leak it would be better if the water didn't gather up around the wire connections.</p> @ Rob Thanks I know I saw tha…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-12-28:4778851:Comment:5906912014-12-28T17:23:55.292ZJoe Bifanohttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JoeBifano
<p>@ Rob Thanks I know I saw that image someplace. I could not get your link to work so I went their and found it but changed mine slightly for everyone so it worked.</p>
<p><a href="http://pentairaes.com/well-screens-and-points.html" target="_blank">http://pentairaes.com/well-screens-and-points.html</a></p>
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<p>@Vlad I changed my other system and I am not growing in rafts in my first greenhouse. I changed things around and I am growing Beefsteak tomatoes now.</p>
<p>I built a new Gothic…</p>
<p>@ Rob Thanks I know I saw that image someplace. I could not get your link to work so I went their and found it but changed mine slightly for everyone so it worked.</p>
<p><a href="http://pentairaes.com/well-screens-and-points.html" target="_blank">http://pentairaes.com/well-screens-and-points.html</a></p>
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<p>@Vlad I changed my other system and I am not growing in rafts in my first greenhouse. I changed things around and I am growing Beefsteak tomatoes now.</p>
<p>I built a new Gothic Greenhouse out of wood 20x72 and I am building those rafts in this new one. I had heated the old rafts with pex tubing and a boiler I made utilizing the radiant style heating. That cost a lot for all of the plumbing, zone controllers and the boiler stuff. I am not sure if I want to do that all again on the new greenhouse. I still use the boiler set up but it takes forever to heat my reservoir from 50(water out of the ground) to 65. I get maybe 2 degrees a day right now, in the winter, so I want to build one for the reservoir as well to get it up faster and then maybe the pex setup will maintain the temps more efficiently than the new 1500 watt heater will.</p>
<p>The new greenhouse will have 2 8'x44' rafts that will have 3" depth of water. That will hold about 657 gallons of water each. Not sure what size tank I will have. So 2 x 657 equals 1314 plus the tank might be 1500 to 1700 total. <br/>So I was thinking of making either 2 1500 watt heaters for each or 1 larger one for each.</p>
<p>Were you thinking that the gutter/roof heating cables would be a way to maintain my heat or would these cables be as fast as Rob's Heating element idea?</p>
<p>I am adding over 100 gallons now per week growing Basil. The new greenhouse could use 400 gallons if it does the same things so adding that much water at 50 degrees will be a shock to the system. I might have to have a separate tank for warming that before it goes into the main system.</p> here is a link to AES.com whe…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-12-28:4778851:Comment:5909962014-12-28T16:17:51.687ZRob Nashhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RobNash
<p>here is a link to AES.com where they sell "Well Screens"</p>
<p> <a href="http://http://pentairaes.com/well-screens-and-points.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://pentairaes.com/well-screens-and-points.html</a></p>
<p>I like to DIY stuff like this my self... </p>
<p>this pic is just to show how it looks with a screen on it... use the rubber coupler instead of the PVC…</p>
<p><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772195571?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="348"></img></p>
<p>here is a link to AES.com where they sell "Well Screens"</p>
<p> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://http://pentairaes.com/well-screens-and-points.html" target="_blank">http://pentairaes.com/well-screens-and-points.html</a></p>
<p>I like to DIY stuff like this my self... </p>
<p>this pic is just to show how it looks with a screen on it... use the rubber coupler instead of the PVC</p>
<p><img width="348" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772195571?profile=RESIZE_480x480" class="align-left" width="348"/></p> @ Joe...No, if just laid on t…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-12-28:4778851:Comment:5908742014-12-28T05:43:09.228ZVlad Jovanovichttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/VladJovanovic
<p>@ Joe...No, if just laid on the bottom of your skrim (touching the skrim), I think it would it would very likely melt it (but maybe someone else can confirm this)...</p>
<p>No, the resistor (heating element) does not have to be encased in PVC...but it would have to be encased in <em>something</em> that is not as thermally conductive as the resistor (heating element) itself if it was up against the skrim...</p>
<p>Joe, if I remember the size and dimensions of your system...and you want to…</p>
<p>@ Joe...No, if just laid on the bottom of your skrim (touching the skrim), I think it would it would very likely melt it (but maybe someone else can confirm this)...</p>
<p>No, the resistor (heating element) does not have to be encased in PVC...but it would have to be encased in <em>something</em> that is not as thermally conductive as the resistor (heating element) itself if it was up against the skrim...</p>
<p>Joe, if I remember the size and dimensions of your system...and you want to diffuse heat through the length of your troughs...you might try using gutter/roof heating cables as a more simple "ready made" approach...</p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=gutter+heating+cable&espv=2&biw=1665&bih=926&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=p5efVNXDKdLSoATqyoA4&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg" target="_blank">https://www.google.com/search?q=gutter+heating+cable&espv=2&amp...</a><br/> <br/> <cite>Joe Bifano said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/diy-heater-submersible-heater-build-your-own-2000-watt-element?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A590869&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment590869"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I see all the parts needed for this project. Can this be used in the rafts just by laying on the bottom? Does the element have to be inclosed in PVC?</p>
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</blockquote> Jeff S - Ive drained it down…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-12-28:4778851:Comment:5906892014-12-28T05:40:38.038ZRob Nashhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RobNash
<p>Jeff S - Ive drained it down to about 4 inches and left the fish in there, then filled it back up.. the last time, I had a helper hold his hand over the hole while I replaced it.. only lost less than 1 gallon of water.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Joe - Yes.. the submersible unit can sit in a raft... does not need a cover.</p>
<p>I have one 5500 watt unit, ran at 240v warming 2500 gallons in a 36 x 8 ft raft and 1000 gallon fish tank.</p>
<p>Jeff S - Ive drained it down to about 4 inches and left the fish in there, then filled it back up.. the last time, I had a helper hold his hand over the hole while I replaced it.. only lost less than 1 gallon of water.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Joe - Yes.. the submersible unit can sit in a raft... does not need a cover.</p>
<p>I have one 5500 watt unit, ran at 240v warming 2500 gallons in a 36 x 8 ft raft and 1000 gallon fish tank.</p> I see all the parts needed fo…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-12-28:4778851:Comment:5908692014-12-28T03:30:28.642ZJoe Bifanohttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JoeBifano
<p>I see all the parts needed for this project. Can this be used in the rafts just by laying on the bottom? Does the element have to be inclosed in PVC?</p>
<p>I see all the parts needed for this project. Can this be used in the rafts just by laying on the bottom? Does the element have to be inclosed in PVC?</p> What is the diameter of the p…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-11-06:4778851:Comment:5855342014-11-06T22:49:23.026ZKym Roberts-Hardestyhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/KymrobertsHardesty106
<p>What is the diameter of the piece of pvc that covers the element?</p>
<p>What is the diameter of the piece of pvc that covers the element?</p> Thank you Vlad! You guys roc…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-10-31:4778851:Comment:5846742014-10-31T19:21:24.864ZKym Roberts-Hardestyhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/KymrobertsHardesty106
<p>Thank you Vlad! You guys rock!<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Vlad Jovanovic said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/diy-heater-submersible-heater-build-your-own-2000-watt-element?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A584557&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment584557"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p><br></br> The 'black cup thingy' is a Net Pot (a 2 inch one, I believe) and can be found at any 'ol hydro store. The 'slotted PVC piece' can be bought from…</p>
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<p>Thank you Vlad! You guys rock!<br/> <br/> <cite>Vlad Jovanovic said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/diy-heater-submersible-heater-build-your-own-2000-watt-element?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A584557&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment584557"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p><br/> The 'black cup thingy' is a Net Pot (a 2 inch one, I believe) and can be found at any 'ol hydro store. The 'slotted PVC piece' can be bought from Farm Tek (and probably some other places... <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;ft_plumbing_supplies-ft_sump_pumps;pg111150_111155.html" target="_blank">http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;ft_plumbing_supplies-ft_...</a> </p>
<p>...but you can cut slots into a piece of PVC with a table saw, or angle grinder...or just drill holes into it with a hand drill and a drill bit <img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Smile.gif"/><br/> <cite>Kym Roberts-Hardesty said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/diy-heater-submersible-heater-build-your-own-2000-watt-element?xg_source=activity&id=4778851%3ATopic%3A251528&page=10#4778851Comment584671"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Where did you get the slotted PVC piece and the black cup thingy at the end, that go over the element?</p>
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