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Comment by David Waite on June 7, 2011 at 7:23pm

John there is a whole host of thermostatic controls for regulating heat valves. I have not done the leg work on that end as of yet. Obviously when the system is below the 70 degree mark the pump wouldnt kick on to warm the water until it got above that. You also would need the pump to shut off when the tank got to desired temp. I know taco recirc pumps would work great for this. Half to be cautious as to how much copper is in the heater or recirc pumps. This experiment worked fine until I turned it off one day and the tube melted. The drip tube is rated to 180 degrees so I know it got alot hotter than that. I will use pex tube next time.

Comment by John Tannius on June 7, 2011 at 6:40pm

I've been considering something like this for the winter. I'm raising tilapia and want to keep it warm enough so they won't die. I'm curious if there is a thermostat type setup so you don't cook your fish if it gets too warm or freeze them if there's no sun. I assume that the solar heater would get cold if there's no sun without insulation.

Comment by Sahib Punjabi on February 28, 2011 at 2:32pm

Good idea...thanks for sharing :-)