Big tanks big heat. I need ideas.

[Saveafish]

With the energy consumption you have, before talking about corals or adding them, your forking over to electric company the amount of a monthly bill for a nice brand new car. Think about that one

And like you said the temperature keeps dropping so you're not even heating the tank fully yet.

I know. The electric company has me on speed dial.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

I know. The electric company has me on speed dial.

For now if me add heater to sump or to tank. Get waterheater blackets and have them made soon it looks like a long pillow. Like a long pillow case custom made for now. Temp fix. Wrap them to tank when needed. That's me

Till figure what to do

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Just remembered you can use sleeping bags and wrap them around before it gets cold.

 

[Saveafish]

Just remembered you can use sleeping bags and wrap them around before it gets cold.

I'm thinking that's needed.

 

[BestMomEver]

That's my problem. I went from MH to led and now I lost my hear source.

Put the halides downstairs over the sump.

 

[salty joe]

That's my worries, bacteria. Maybe added zone on the geo.

Not only that but when the water heater fails, and it will, your tank will still call for heat. Since the water heater is now filled with cold water, it will strip your aquarium of heat. Those two reasons make using a tanked water heater way too risky, IMO.

I don't know if geo has the same sort of risk to pull heat from the aquarium. If not and it would save money, great.

I've been using a tankless gas water heater on my 800 gallon system for a couple years and love it.

 

[Dubs83]

Bacteria isn't an issue if you don't let the water sit for long periods of time.

I use my hot water heater to heat my tank and it works flawlessly. Recirculate the water through an external titanium heat exchanger built for saltwater pools (55k btu). It runs roughly once an hour for a few minutes... during the summer, I have the apex circulate water through the line every hour for 2 minutes... this will keep bacteria from colonizing in the lines.

 

[NeveSSL]

Wrapping the stock tanks and also sealing them up will make a difference, too. Don't underestimate evaporative cooling. When I had my sump in my garage, I had styrofoam cut out to go on top of it (and around the pipes and skimmer) to keep the water in. Made a huge difference. I should have wrapped it, too, but never had issues just covering it.

Brandon

 

[wesman42]

Maybe start with insulation, THEN invest. See where you're at with an economical option.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I run an 800w in diplay and a 500w in the sump- Both titanium with success.

 

[Turtlesteve]

Each gallon/day of evaporation consumes about 100 watts of heat. How much water do you evaporate?

Using covers where appropriate to reduce air flow across the water surface may help.

Steve