Just an idea I had
- Thread starter fsb72
- Start date
Well, people have used this type of set up for years to heat pools.
I have a few concerns though..
1- I think it might heat the water too much for an aquarium, it would be hard to regulate the temp of the heated water, based on the outside temperature, and the amount of available sunlight.
2- the cleat pipe will just provide light for some serious algae to grow.. I'd just leave it out, and run a UV if you feel the need.
3- the water in the tubing between the aquarium, and the roof is going to be way off temp, if its 60F outside that water is going to be COLD.
Maybe you can runa continious cycle of water through a seperate storage containe with the thermostat, and not pipe it directly from the roof to the tank, you could store the warm water, and if the temp drops too low, then click on the pump..
Just my Opinion
I have a few concerns though..
1- I think it might heat the water too much for an aquarium, it would be hard to regulate the temp of the heated water, based on the outside temperature, and the amount of available sunlight.
2- the cleat pipe will just provide light for some serious algae to grow.. I'd just leave it out, and run a UV if you feel the need.
3- the water in the tubing between the aquarium, and the roof is going to be way off temp, if its 60F outside that water is going to be COLD.
Maybe you can runa continious cycle of water through a seperate storage containe with the thermostat, and not pipe it directly from the roof to the tank, you could store the warm water, and if the temp drops too low, then click on the pump..
Just my Opinion
If your looking at keeping fish like guppies, I dont think that is going to work. You will have too much temp fluctuation and nothing gets a tank full of guppies sicker faster than getting chilled and warmed constantly.
In the first one, I think the pump would have to be quite large to get over the head height to the roof. Not to mention the previously described temp issues.
The question is, how cold does it get in Melbourne? You would still need (a) powerful pump(s) to get on top of a roof though.
Interesting idea! I understand DIY solar water heaters are often pulled off with good/decent results. I've never seen one specifically for an aquarium but if you can address the temperature fluctuation issue then I can't think of too many other major hurdles (conceptually).
If you used a closed loop and some sort of heat exchanger you may be able to get away with a less powerful pump. I have read somewhere that if it is completely closed then the pressure of the water going up the pipe will be offset by the pressure of water flowing back to the pump (with some losses for that physics malarky). I don't know if thats true but it may be a solution should that become a factor. It seems somewhat reasonable I suppose
If you used a closed loop and some sort of heat exchanger you may be able to get away with a less powerful pump. I have read somewhere that if it is completely closed then the pressure of the water going up the pipe will be offset by the pressure of water flowing back to the pump (with some losses for that physics malarky). I don't know if thats true but it may be a solution should that become a factor. It seems somewhat reasonable I suppose
Thank you all !It's exactly what I was after.But like I said at the start just an idea.
I might try something this summer without fish of course. I'll keep you posted,because if
works you lot are going to know about it.will see (never say die!!!) I say!!!!
Chris.
I might try something this summer without fish of course. I'll keep you posted,because if
works you lot are going to know about it.will see (never say die!!!) I say!!!!
Chris.
this was the first link that came up (or close) when I searched for DIY solar on google:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/WaterHeating/water_heating.htm
looks like it has a lot of information, don't know how good that info is though. I've thought about using solar heat to "pre-heat" the water going into the water heater. That is about as fas as I've got...
If you start something we would all love to see and hear about your experience.
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/WaterHeating/water_heating.htm
looks like it has a lot of information, don't know how good that info is though. I've thought about using solar heat to "pre-heat" the water going into the water heater. That is about as fas as I've got...
If you start something we would all love to see and hear about your experience.