Chuckie Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 that's what I think he meant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killimike Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 I'm sure that's what he meant, yeah As for an aircon, I think it would use alot of power, perhaps in part because it would keep the room at a particular temperature rather than just supplying heat when the temp falls. That it can cool and heat is why I would very seriously consider one in a purpose built fishroom, after losing several tanks of fish over that really hot weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 In my small fish room I use a column oil heater.....insulated walls and ceiling Entrance door is well sealed... Less heat required if you don't let it escape easily.... Water has a good thermal mass so it doesn't take a lot of energy to keep it warm if it is in a well insulated space... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv_my_fish Posted February 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 Roughly, how cost effective is using an oil column heater? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RarePets Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 I can give you some knowlege on cost difference for heating fishrooms. When I originally built our shed I insulated and lined it with R2.5 batts plus wet area plasterboard. I have a 6mm cable from the metrebox to the shed, underground between the house and shed. Many powerpoints high wall and ceiling positions, a powerboard connected to most of them. Thought we would be fine electricity account went from $450 quarter to $1200 per quarter initially when we had tank heaters to heat spawning tanks and aquariums filled with jars. We locked up the shed and left the hobby for approx. 3 years. When we re-entered the hobby we were told of how many tropical fish fishrooms are heated with gas space heaters and then when the February heat waves arrive people are out taking lids off tanks addding spraybars and fans trying to keep the temperature down. We went with a inverter reverse cycle airconditioner, $1500 less a rebate from the manufacturer. Electricity to maintain air temp around 24C-28C, our barracks system has 6mm glass with lids water stays around 25C all year round. Including running the lights T5's above barracks and other aquariums, plus 4x 4ft roof floro's average is $10 per week. for the shed, with tarrif changes since it was started it may be getting close to $11 per week now. Inside a house where you have heating and cooling for the comfort of people, there are many options and a small room size airconditioner may present as a cost effective way of keeping 50 to 100 jarred fish happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JUNGLE Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 We have seen that our situations can be different.Depends on the size of the space,insulation etc etc. For a smallish set up floating in a heated tank is the best option. BTW.....condensation and mold can be limited with air-cons. Evaporative coolers are pretty useless in humid conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uio Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 Has anyone every used pet heat mats? These seem thermostatically controlled and are waterproof... http://www.mypet.net.au/heatedpetpads.htm http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Brand-new-petzone-s...A1%7C240%3A1318 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brettc777 Posted February 20, 2009 Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 There a good idea but I would be worried about how waterproof they are! Im sure that they would have thought about that as some pets arent happy going outside in the cold to pee lol. Also wattage would something else I would want to know. Also price wise... whether it would be cheaper to have cord or a pet mat... i.e. which would heat more beanie boxes/tanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv_my_fish Posted April 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 I thought I would bring this thread up again because winter is coming and I have another question... I have 3 lots of 3 chamber barracks. The dimentions for each section are L - 14.5cm D - 15cm H - 20cm My question is, if I put a 25w heater in the middle compartment, would it be enough to heat the other 2 compartments or atleast take the chill out of the water? Of course the middle fish would have it fully heated (lucky bugger), but the others would still be comfortable right? Do you guys think this would work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillieOrCory Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Hi there, Here is a photo from my set-up I have a 55watt heater in the middle section. I have the middle section 1 to 2 degree warmer than the both sides, it works great for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv_my_fish Posted April 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Thanks Serkan! That's exactly what I'm trying to explain lol The only thing is, I think I will have to use a 25w heater because I don't think a 55w would fit. It's only 20cm high (I'm going to have to go measure my 25w heater now) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KillieOrCory Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 :D Mine is 30+cm high so fitting the heater is no problems. I use the el-cheapo aquaone heaters, the 25watt and 55watt are same length; I haven't had issues with them yet! Apart from the odd one I break every now and then! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv_my_fish Posted April 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 Are they really the same size? I'll have to check it out, but would a 55w heater be too much for the smallish space they have? I guess it's not much different to your size tanks though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyarlla Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 I've been using a large tub, half filled with water, with an underwater heater and pump. I then place my coke bottles with the fry in the heated water. I put the lid on on top to keep the humidity in. It has been working quite well so far and with the lid on, the heater doesnt come on as often but the temp has been pretty constant ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callatya Posted April 18, 2009 Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 I'm trying an oil heater at the moment which is taking the chill off, but not too much more. I'm going to get a small fan heater next week (Aldi has a heater sale, what timing!) to give that a try, but they also have a ceramic tower heater that claims to be energy efficient. I like the sound of efficiency. How well do these work, does anyone know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender Posted April 21, 2009 Report Share Posted April 21, 2009 I have a ceramic heater that works extremely well, but I wouldn't have thought mine would be energy efficient. It could be though, as it doesn't need to run for long to heat up a room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv_my_fish Posted April 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 I have my first jarred fry in a 2ft tank like you have Lyarlla, but my new spawn is MUCH bigger and I'm going to have to find a better solution to keep them comfortable lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninoid12 Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 information overload!!! dammit, trying to work out what to do with my fish room........ *sigh* btw, whats the best thing to cover a window to keep heat in for winter??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckie Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Abbey has suggested taping a sheet of bubble wrap over the window, taped all around the sil, so you have a pocket of air between the glass and the fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callatya Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Still haven't tried it yet, but I got a lovely package yesterday full of the stuff, so it is going up tonight, as well as the ceramic heater. I've picked up a fan heater also, but it is currently pointed at me rather than the fish :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 How's the bubble wrap working for you Abbey? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyarlla Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Mmm bubble wrap sounds like a good idea. My heaters have been on a bit more than normal the last few days with the sudden cold weather so I might copy Abbey :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terribletegs Posted May 1, 2009 Report Share Posted May 1, 2009 I am currently wrapping my breeding tank and possibly a couple of others for the winter. I am using a product called 'FormShield', which you can get at Clark Rubber but bigger hardwares might have it too. It's about 12mm thick and grey with foil on one side. It's mostly rigid so you can cut a size to fit a window and just 'jam it in there'. I'll be cutting panels to size and using tape on the joins, so that my tanks are wrapped completely (except the front). It's a very effective insulator against heat/cold, but it's a lot more expensive than bubble wrap! But then, maybe you can reduce your power bill this way.... I am sick of throwing a doona over the Oscar tank in winter! I want to see my beautiful baby... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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