A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners
DIY submersible water heater, build your own water heater
***Be sure to use a GFI plug with this!***
here is a link to the Through-Wall version http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/diy-heater-bui...
COPPER WARNING! most of the elements are made from nickel plated copper and should not be used!
I have not found stainless elements at Home Depot. Some of the Lowes stores have them.
A quick search on the web will find several types in the 240volt range.
Some links to try:
1500 watt in the 120 volts stainless steel unit.
http://shop.hardwareandtools.com/search?w=stainless+steel+heater+el...
here are some stainless steel options. they only make them in 4000 watt+ at 240 volts.
http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Water-Heater-Element/dp/B000U...
http://plumbing.hardwarestore.com/51-598-water-heater-elements/stai...
10-18-2013
I've made a few changes to the heater parts list and instructions..
1500-5500 watt stainless element
12 awg cord
1-1/2" rubber coupling
1-1/2" reduced to 1" threaded
1-1/2" reduced to 1/2" threaded
1/2" water tight connector
Temp controller
install the element into the 1-1/2" - 1" reducer.
...these are made to be inserted in one direction, so you will need to use a grinding wheel, or improvise, to remove the "stop" portion of the fitting.
some are sold with a round edge (pictured here) and some are squared (pictured above)
after removing the stop, connect the wires and install into the rubber coupler.
Here are a couple different
submersible options.
the top one has the wire ran inside the 1/2" irrigation "funny pipe" and fittings.
both work great!
I have used a heavy duty timer to control the temp. 15 mins on the hour will keep 300 gallons warm.
pex supply has thermostats http://www.pexsupply.com/Temperature-Controllers-12741000
Use a GFI plug with this unit!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by M D Fowler on
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winter is starting up and everyone's rushing to get this done. i don't blame them, i JUST got mine completed. i'll take pix later
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Permalink Reply by Craig Mullins on
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Stainless is fine for saltwater tank. That's preferred material
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Do we know what kind of solder they are using as well in these connections? I assume it has no lead in it if this is being used for drinking water in homes. The lead will leach if it has any....
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Permalink Reply by Daniel on
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Thanks for putting these directions on the forum! I'm about to start building mine - today I picked up a SS 1500w 120v element from a local plumbing supply. I thought if others have trouble finding a non-copper element in 120v (like I did) try checking around for a plumbing supply house. My brother told me about one in town, and they gave me a cash sale price of $10 for the element, even though I obviously did not have an account with them. This was cheaper than any of the comparable elements I saw in Lowes or Home Depot by the way.
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Permalink Reply by wes on
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Okay not sure if any one is intrested in this but I just purchased one on ebay an I am going to see how it works out for my DIY water heater element setup for temp control. It only cost 24 dollars. I found this little item on another site listed here. This is what he had to say about trying this out for his system.
http://www.raycotechnologies.org/Raising%20tilapia%20at%20home%20.htm
February 15th update:
Winter has been a cold one with much snow and ice along with single digit temps. The different fish tanks in the basement have all done well. I later moved the 175 gallon tank inside and set that up with the larger of all fish. I have maintained the 82 F or 29.1 C water by put a small hydroponic submersible water circulating pump in the tank and circulating the water through a large hot water storage tank that is used in my house. I searched a long time for temperature controller that would monitor and display the actual water temp and would turn on circulating pump. The prices were very high everywhere, all over the $125 range. Instead, i took a chance at buying one from Hong Kong through EBay, using Pay pal for $15.00 plus $10 air mail! It seemed to good to be true but I got it in the ten days and it was exactly what I needed. Has a 10 amp relay for heating and one for cooling. I wired it into a common plastic double outlet box with an outlet. Works perfect! I can't say enough about this and am ordering more of these. It opens up all different possibilities for heating with hot water. In my case, I make hot water with wood boiler and firewood is free for the labor. I will be able to use this controller thermostat to maintain temperatures for seedling mats and chick brooders, saving on electricity. I have many available for resale as well.
I have yet to have any new fry born, though there has been several of the females which appeared to be carrying the eggs, but for some reason, after several days swallowed them. I am preparing to construct one new tank in the greenhouse that will be divided in to three compartments. This will be heated by a barrel stove that has copper coil wrapped around it with water circulating into a large storage tank. This will maintain the 78 degrees in the grow out tanks. More to come.
110V 10A Mini Digital STC-1000 All-purpose Temperature Controller With Sensor
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Permalink Reply by Sue McL on
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Isn't copper bad for the fish?
wes said:Okay not sure if any one is intrested in this but I just purchased one on ebay an I am going to see how it works out for my DIY water heater element setup for temp control. It only cost 24 dollars. I found this little item on another site listed here. This is what he had to say about trying this out for his system.
http://www.raycotechnologies.org/Raising%20tilapia%20at%20home%20.htm
February 15th update:
...This will be heated by a barrel stove that has copper coil wrapped around it with water circulating into a large storage tank. This will maintain the 78 degrees in the grow out tanks. More to come.
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Yes it is, this fellow that posted this on his website was new to all of this, not sure how he has made out so far. I just posted the whole section here to let you and others know why he was going the route of using this controller.
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Pretty sweet, Here's the link above that was bad - "hot water storage tank " http://www.raycotechnologies.org/hot_water_storage_systems.htm
They do make stainless steel and titanium tubing so could do that instead of the copper
Happen to have a link to the ebay auction? Nice price on controller.
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Here's a link to the controller ( I tihnk) on Amazon - http://amzn.to/PGYUGj
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Nice find, just realize this one just does the cool temp range the other controller of the same make does both ranges if that is something you need.
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