Need a Water Heater

[Jim Kamen]

First, Hello from a newbe.  I am in Florida and yes I need a water heater.  I lost all of my first purchase of Tialpia last week. The guy shipped on the coldest day of the season. Water temp was 54 and my goldfish were the only fish that made it. I can't believe he thought I had a 220 gal. pond in my house.

This week we had three cold fronts and this morning my water temp was 48. I think that's too cold!

I purchased a 250 watt heater but it turns out to be a de-icer and does not work. So does any one know of a heater I can purchase that will keeps my temps up in the 60's?

I have looked at the home made here on the forum and I can build one except for the fact that I would have to drain my pond to put a fitting through the side.

Jim

[David - WI]

We have one of these "bubble wrap" covers for our pool, it seems to add about 4F - 5F during the day and cuts the heat loss during the night a lot: Click

As long as you have plenty of aeration you might be able to make something like that work.

[Jim Kamen]

Thanks, but I need a heater!

[Scott Roberts]

Spring for an jager heater.  check out jehmco.com.  300 watt submersible eheim jager heaters for $22 each. Less than half of what I pay locally for them. 

[Jim Kamen]

Randall & Scott,  Thanks tor that info.  I will check them out today.

Jim

[Scott Roberts]

I think it just shows you the markup most pet stores have. 

[Jim Kamen]

I ordered two 300 watt Jagar's from Jehmco. On sale for $22.  Shipping is 12.95. Not a bad deal and the Customer Service rep was really nice.

[Jim Fisk]

Hey Scott that is a great link. That could help out lots of folks on here. Too bad they don't go higher on the heaters in terms of wattage.

[Alex Veidel]

I've used the Eheim Jaeger heaters and I like them a lot. You can get them for $29.95 on Doctors Foster and Smith website if you buy more than one to qualify for free shipping or you can get them individually on amazon for $32.27.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=23726

[Jim Fisk]

Sale going on there right now as well Alex. Another great source. Personally I use wood but I know lots of people that could use one or more of these. Judging by how much wood we are using right now at these near 0F nights to keep our 24x24' gh heated along with the water I would hate to see the bill if we were trying to heat with electric. OMG

[John Doty]

Hi Jim,
I live in Stuart just up the road from you. I have built a 4500 watt heater for my 530 gallon ap system. It is working very well durning these cold times. It's keeping the water at 70º (and my wallet most likely empty). I would be happy to show you my system and heater.

[Jim Kamen]

Thanks John,

I am in Stuart all the time as my wife works up there.  Being new, How do we get contact info.  Is there a private  thingy we can use?

[Alex Veidel]

Wood can be expensive too; it all depends on what's available. And even if it's free, it's not free for the environment. Not that electricity is any better, but it's just an angle of thought that has always intrigued me.

Jim Fisk said:

Sale going on there right now as well Alex. Another great source. Personally I use wood but I know lots of people that could use one or more of these. Judging by how much wood we are using right now at these near 0F nights to keep our 24x24' gh heated along with the water I would hate to see the bill if we were trying to heat with electric. OMG