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Comment by Robert Rowe on November 4, 2013 at 7:51pm

I should have set this up as a new topic. I currently am using 3 aquarium heaters, perhaps as a temporary fix.

My 700 gallon stock tank type FT is covered by a 10 Ft geodasic dome. I have removed the skin and am in the process of recovering it with "The Planket" a frost cover. The FT is covered now with a blue plastic pool cover, to retain heat, but still allows infrared to penetrate to the water. My experience last year covering my smaller FT with frost cloth about a Ft above the water was productive so I am  scaling up the process. So far, before the temperature gets to low, I am recording my results and will share my findings.

Comment by Jay on November 4, 2013 at 6:19pm

Yes on the pool mat heater the small tubes clog up, that is why we put a back flush valve to blow them out.

Now again it works like new.

Comment by TCLynx on October 20, 2013 at 5:47am

Robert, research heat exchangers since sending system water through a pool heater is likely to clog up the fine tubes and most domestic hot water systems for solar heating have copper tubing which would be bad for fish.

Cheapest methods I've seen entail getting the coils of the black poly drinking water pipe (1/2" or 3/4" or 1") and making a big flat coil in a black box with a glass covering.  Only send the water through it when sun is shining on it or it may act more like a chiller.  This is one of the few system types that doesn't require doing heat exchange.

Comment by Robert J on October 18, 2013 at 9:02pm

Folks, I've built an electric heater for my system, and looking to make a solar barrel heater--but when I search solar I find probably 200+ pages.  When it comes to flow through heaters, is it more economical to buy an above ground solar pool heater or build your own.  I live in northern Virginia, just outside DC and my tanks are in a greenhouse.  I'm looking to cut back on electricity by using solar.  Any suggestions?

Comment by Jay on October 15, 2013 at 7:46am

I am using a 12 x 4 pool heater solar mat, supplied by a Ben and Glen Aquazen air lift water pump. The draw back now that Fall is here and the shadow of the house interferes. So I get only 3 hours of heat.

Comment by Matt Miskinnis on February 17, 2013 at 6:57pm

Right now I have 3 400w heaters in my tank, I took one off line as the temps are keeping pretty constant.  Luckily in AZ we don't have to deal with intense cold so the two heaters are working fine.  I also covered my FT and ST as algae was starting to accumulate in the fish tank, Since I'm fishless cycling right now, I dont want algae giving me false readings in my water testing.  I also added two air stones as I was finding mosquitoes starting to breed, I figured if I have the water moving around more those mosquitoes will go away, and what the hell fish like air bubbles anyway. It's a learning experience for sure!

Comment by coty on February 16, 2013 at 10:07pm

I got 2 300w aquarium heaters on ebay for $21. Im just using 2 and my tank stays a good temp. It gets down to about 60 at night and gets up to about 70 during the day. my tank is holding 200 gallons and is inside my uninsolated garage. I guess if 1 went out during winter i would have to get a new heater from petsmart $35-$50 but if you can wait and order a new one on ebay that would be cheaper.

Comment by coty on January 15, 2013 at 5:00pm

Ok thanks for the info. Ill be filling my grow bed with rock next week so ill probably start puting more plants here pretty quick. Super excited!

Comment by Rick Stillwagon on January 15, 2013 at 4:24pm

Goldfish will survive just about anything. Keeping it cooler is probably a good idea as they will eat less and take longer to foul the water.  This will give you more time to get your system going.  I would raise the temp slowly as you begin the system, giving time for the bacteria to establish itself to to help keep the water suitable for the fish.  The fish can tolerate a good amount of nitrogen, but high levels of ammonia will kill your fish.

Comment by coty on January 15, 2013 at 4:19pm

I am still trying to get set up. I dont have any fish yet but i was thinking of starting wih goldfish. I live in new mexico so i wont be able to legally get tilapia without a permit. I have duckweed in it now but its not really growing yet. The water has been cold and i only put my heaters in lastnight.

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