How I built a gas water heater for the pond. - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T11:01:20Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/using-gas-heater?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A609167&xg_raw_resources=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noMy closed loop system has bee…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2017-01-10:4778851:Comment:6383322017-01-10T17:32:52.247ZMark Bhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/MarkBeyerl
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">My closed loop system has been working for nine days so far.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">I have been running my pump on the medium speed. My tankless heater has a digital display that shows out flow water temp.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">The output temp have been running about 52C or 125.6 F This shows the heat exchanger is doing a good job…</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">My closed loop system has been working for nine days so far.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">I have been running my pump on the medium speed. My tankless heater has a digital display that shows out flow water temp.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">The output temp have been running about 52C or 125.6 F This shows the heat exchanger is doing a good job adding the heat to the fish tank.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">I have lowered my fish tank to turn off the heater @70F. I have been stopping the pumps water flow at night this has saved natural gas. The front grow bed has expanded shale. That works like a radiator and makes the heater work harder than it needs to.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">I have no problem keeping the water at any temp I set it at but it was using more fuel that needed.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">The heater just works I don’t need to do anything and I am very happy with it so far.</font></p>
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<p></p> I have my closed loop tankl…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2017-01-02:4778851:Comment:6385062017-01-02T15:05:31.845ZMark Bhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/MarkBeyerl
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772270898?profile=original" target="_self"><font face="Calibri" size="3"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772270898?profile=original" width="337"></img></font></a> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772271145?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772271145?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721"></img></a> <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772271285?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772271285?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="721"></img></a></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772270898?profile=original" target="_self"><font face="Calibri" size="3"><img width="337" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772270898?profile=original"/></font></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772271145?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772271145?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772271285?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="721" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772271285?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></a></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772271439?profile=original" target="_self"><font face="Calibri" size="3"><img width="721" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772271439?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></font></a></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">I have my closed loop tankless natural gas fish tank heater done.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">I have about 1,000 gallons of water between my fish tank sump tank DWC and GB.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">Mine is similar to yours just a few difference.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">My Stainless Steel beer wort cooler developed a small leak so I switched to a DIY Pex 100’ loop heat exchanger.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">I used a DIY controller it does Celsius or Fahrenheit. I have its set to Fahrenheit and 72 degrees. It saves these settings even after losing power.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OXPE8U6/ref=msg_ctr_lk_pdt" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><font face="Calibri" size="3">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OXPE8U6/ref=msg_ctr_lk_pdt</font></a></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">I am using Grundfos 3-Speed Circulator Pump with no holding tank.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><a href="http://www.supplyhouse.com/sh/control/product/~product_id=59896341" rel="nofollow"><font color="#0563C1" face="Calibri" size="3">http://www.supplyhouse.com/sh/control/product/~product_id=59896341</font></a></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">I am using an Air Separator</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><a href="http://www.supplyhouse.com/sh/control/product/~product_id=74003" rel="nofollow"><font color="#0563C1" face="Calibri" size="3">http://www.supplyhouse.com/sh/control/product/~product_id=74003</font></a></p>
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<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">All the Pex I used was 1/2" the orange Pex has o2 barrier but the heat exchanger Pex does not have a O2 <font face="Calibri" size="3">barrier I was concerned with O2 <font face="Calibri" size="3">barrier</font> and the fish. </font></font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">I have only had it running a few days so far but it is working realty well so far.</font></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">Thanks so much for posting your setup.</font></p>
<p></p> Well, this is my first year.…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2016-02-10:4778851:Comment:6237632016-02-10T21:31:17.020ZDon Colehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/DonCole
<p>Well, this is my first year. I have had a smaller system for almost a year but it was inside, I am learning as I go and having a blast doing it.</p>
<p>Well, this is my first year. I have had a smaller system for almost a year but it was inside, I am learning as I go and having a blast doing it.</p> Don,
My 300 gallon tank runs…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2016-02-10:4778851:Comment:6238892016-02-10T21:07:12.062ZJeff Shttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JeffSullivan
<p>Don,</p>
<p>My 300 gallon tank runs between 65-70 degrees with a couple of different heating tools. Do you do any winter growing?</p>
<p>Don,</p>
<p>My 300 gallon tank runs between 65-70 degrees with a couple of different heating tools. Do you do any winter growing?</p> No, you read it correctly. My…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2016-02-10:4778851:Comment:6239662016-02-10T20:59:33.500ZDon Colehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/DonCole
<p>No, you read it correctly. My greenhouse is not insulated and neither are the fish tanks (900 gal.). The heater only runs when the water temp drops below the set temp (currently 73degrees). Now this is the first run with this unit and I have been testing it out. That being said If I lower the the temp set point to something more reasonable like 65 degrees and do the insulating I pretty sure I can cut the gas usage down by half or two thirds. I live in Phoenix, Arizona so we dont really have…</p>
<p>No, you read it correctly. My greenhouse is not insulated and neither are the fish tanks (900 gal.). The heater only runs when the water temp drops below the set temp (currently 73degrees). Now this is the first run with this unit and I have been testing it out. That being said If I lower the the temp set point to something more reasonable like 65 degrees and do the insulating I pretty sure I can cut the gas usage down by half or two thirds. I live in Phoenix, Arizona so we dont really have long cold spells. So far this winter it has been really mild with about a week and a half of 30 to 40 degree nights and low to mid 50's days. </p> Don,
If I'm reading this cor…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2016-02-10:4778851:Comment:6240762016-02-10T19:54:01.434ZJeff Shttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JeffSullivan
<p>Don, </p>
<p>If I'm reading this correctly and you're using a 20 lb. tank a day you're talking about $300 a month in propane. Did I miss something here?<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Don Cole said:</cite><span style="font-style: italic;">It uses a standard 5 gallon propane tank per day when the temp is in the 30’s. My fish tanks are not insulated and the greenhouse is not heated yet. I think if they were I could probably get two days per tank. I also have the temp set a little high and could probably…</span></p>
<p>Don, </p>
<p>If I'm reading this correctly and you're using a 20 lb. tank a day you're talking about $300 a month in propane. Did I miss something here?<br/> <br/> <cite>Don Cole said:</cite><span style="font-style: italic;">It uses a standard 5 gallon propane tank per day when the temp is in the 30’s. My fish tanks are not insulated and the greenhouse is not heated yet. I think if they were I could probably get two days per tank. I also have the temp set a little high and could probably gain a half a day by lowering it to 65 degrees.</span></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/using-gas-heater?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A623955&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment623955"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>This whole system cost about $300.00. The only thing I didn’t have to buy was the barrel.</p>
</div>
</blockquote> Parts list:
Ecotemp L5 instan…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2016-02-10:4778851:Comment:6239552016-02-10T15:01:58.149ZDon Colehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/DonCole
<p>Parts list:</p>
<p>Ecotemp L5 instant hot water kit: It comes with a 12vdc pump, heater unit and, strainer</p>
<p>55 gallon barrel</p>
<p>12vdc power supply</p>
<p>Dwyer TSW 160 or TSW 250 temperature controller.</p>
<p>100’ roll of 1/5” PEX tubing</p>
<p>6’ of dishwasher drain hose</p>
<p>Two ½” valves to isolate the PEX heat exchanger</p>
<p>Misc. hose fittings</p>
<p>The Ecotemp L5 is a 5 liter per minute water heater that uses propane from a standard BBQ grill tank. It starts heating…</p>
<p>Parts list:</p>
<p>Ecotemp L5 instant hot water kit: It comes with a 12vdc pump, heater unit and, strainer</p>
<p>55 gallon barrel</p>
<p>12vdc power supply</p>
<p>Dwyer TSW 160 or TSW 250 temperature controller.</p>
<p>100’ roll of 1/5” PEX tubing</p>
<p>6’ of dishwasher drain hose</p>
<p>Two ½” valves to isolate the PEX heat exchanger</p>
<p>Misc. hose fittings</p>
<p>The Ecotemp L5 is a 5 liter per minute water heater that uses propane from a standard BBQ grill tank. It starts heating when water flow is detected. I used the Dwyer temp controller to start and start the pump at the desired temp. The PEX tubing is a thin wall tubing that is rated for residential hot water distribution. It doesn’t have the same heat transfer as a stainless steel coil but is way cheaper and easier to get. I used the barrel as a reservoir for the heater and circulated the water through the heater, PEX and, back to the barrel. I think this helped with the heating because as the water in the barrel warmed up the heater output temp increased. This in turn allowed more heat to be transferred to the fish tank through the PEX.</p>
<p>The system works perfectly and was able to raise the temp of the three fish tanks from 57 degrees to 70 degrees in about 5 hours. It has easily maintained 73 degrees in the fish tanks when the greenhouse temp was in the high 30’s. I built mine on a two wheeled dolly so when not in use I could store it out of the way. It uses a standard 5 gallon propane tank per day when the temp is in the 30’s. My fish tanks are not insulated and the greenhouse is not heated yet. I think if they were I could probably get two days per tank. I also have the temp set a little high and could probably gain a half a day by lowering it to 65 degrees.</p>
<p>This whole system cost about $300.00. The only thing I didn’t have to buy was the barrel.</p> Thanks for the update James.…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2016-02-10:4778851:Comment:6239512016-02-10T13:22:09.410ZRichard Kowalskihttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RichardKowalski141
<p>Thanks for the update James. I am going to set up a closed loop system with a portable on demand water heater. I am going to use 50 gallon closed drum as the water reservoir and 100ft of stainless steel coiled tubing as the heat exchanger for the 300 gallon fish tank. I figure that I will put the 50 gallon drum inside the greenhouse to act as a heat exchanger to keep the greenhouse from freezing. I will be insulating the greenhouse and the fish tank to try to prevent heat loss.</p>
<p>Thanks…</p>
<p>Thanks for the update James. I am going to set up a closed loop system with a portable on demand water heater. I am going to use 50 gallon closed drum as the water reservoir and 100ft of stainless steel coiled tubing as the heat exchanger for the 300 gallon fish tank. I figure that I will put the 50 gallon drum inside the greenhouse to act as a heat exchanger to keep the greenhouse from freezing. I will be insulating the greenhouse and the fish tank to try to prevent heat loss.</p>
<p>Thanks to all for posting this thread!</p>
<p>Rich K</p>
<p></p> Here's an update. I'm out of…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2016-02-10:4778851:Comment:6239442016-02-10T03:12:23.254ZJames H Clantonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JamesHClanton
<p>Here's an update. I'm out of town or I would post a few pictures. </p>
<p></p>
<p>I'm still using the setup. It's still working great. It keeps the water in the tank at a constant temperature. I did upgrade to a 40 gallon closed drum as the container. </p>
<p>The only problems I've had are</p>
<p> - some type of slime algae enjoys living in the pex tubing and slowly blocks the flow. I blow it out by connecting to the faucet and it's good for another month or two. I could put some…</p>
<p>Here's an update. I'm out of town or I would post a few pictures. </p>
<p></p>
<p>I'm still using the setup. It's still working great. It keeps the water in the tank at a constant temperature. I did upgrade to a 40 gallon closed drum as the container. </p>
<p>The only problems I've had are</p>
<p> - some type of slime algae enjoys living in the pex tubing and slowly blocks the flow. I blow it out by connecting to the faucet and it's good for another month or two. I could put some copper in the water since it's a closed system, but haven't done it yet. </p>
<p>- after a big ice/snow storm, we lost power for a couple days. The water temperature quickly dropped to upper 50's. After debating pulling extension cords down to greenhouse from the generator I realized I just could run the faucet to activate the system. worked great. I still have the problem where the unit cuts off after run 10 minutes or so. So, I just had to keep turning the water on an off for a while.</p>
<p> </p> Richard,
I have been followi…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2016-02-10:4778851:Comment:6238672016-02-10T02:51:50.178ZJeff Shttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JeffSullivan
<p>Richard,</p>
<p> I have been following this discussion and was going to set something up like this until I saw how much water pressure is needed to make it work. I live in Michigan and suffered last year (as did everyone) trying to heat my greenhouse. My 1000 watt bucket heater ran 24/7 and barely kept up. This year I am doing some things differently. First I made sure there are absolutely no/or minimal air leaks from the outside. I insulated he roof over the fish tank on the north end of…</p>
<p>Richard,</p>
<p> I have been following this discussion and was going to set something up like this until I saw how much water pressure is needed to make it work. I live in Michigan and suffered last year (as did everyone) trying to heat my greenhouse. My 1000 watt bucket heater ran 24/7 and barely kept up. This year I am doing some things differently. First I made sure there are absolutely no/or minimal air leaks from the outside. I insulated he roof over the fish tank on the north end of the greenhouse and all of the walls since we have limited sun in the winter. The trade off makes sense. I have 3 400 watt grow lights that I run alternately at night to utilize the heat they put off. I have a wood stove that I run in the evenings and morning before I leave for work. There's also a thermostatically controlled propane radiant heater that maintains a minimum of 55 degrees when needed. My bucket heater only runs 7 hours a day in the fish tank. What all this is doing is keeping the temps up in the GH so the FT doesn't loose so much heat at the same time keeping the GH warm enough to grow a variety of plants. It has cut my energy cost for the GH more than half.</p>