Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: matt on January 31, 2010, 08:14:07 pm

Title: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: matt on January 31, 2010, 08:14:07 pm
right here goes

mine arrived yesterday

they supplied a adapter that was of dubious chinese build quality

so i thought not a issue, i will cut the plug off and put on a UK plug

anyways, i do it, plug it in and the power trips in the house, Hmmmmm

so i change the plugs fuse and wire the live the other way around

plug it in and the power trips again , Hmmmmm

so i just join the wires together with the plug i cut off, its 2 soldered points on a small PCB board with 2 LED's that let you know if the plug has power and if the heater is working

the thing works

so i check the live and neutral and take it apart again

wire it to the UK plug and the heater gets hot, result i think

so i take it out the van and drop it in, the house trips again  :-\

so it works out of the water fine, doesnt under water

so i think the connection on the heater must be leaking

so i wire it back the old chinese plug and drop it in, only for the thing to be fine

anyone else have a problem with changing the plug on the heaters  ? ??

the other 1 is in the van right now, i used the chinese plug and adapter, in hindsight i should have just left it as that but i thought a UK plug is a better option that some 2p adapter   
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: Blue Frog Systems on January 31, 2010, 08:22:38 pm
Sorry matt can't help there as mine are uk plugged.

Out of curiosity.... What watt heaters are they and how much did you pay for them ?
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: ftp on January 31, 2010, 08:26:07 pm
Got a link or more info?
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: matt on January 31, 2010, 08:29:51 pm
Sorry matt can't help there as mine are uk plugged.

Out of curiosity.... What watt heaters are they and how much did you pay for them ?

500 W and i got 2 of them for 23 quid delivered

they are now 7.50 each with 5.00 postage, which is now even cheaper




Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: matt on January 31, 2010, 08:30:47 pm
Got a link or more info?

no, because i was going to stick a "superlight " sticker on it and sell 2 to you, 45 quid each ;)


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Automatic-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Heater-500W-105-Gallon_W0QQitemZ150404715305QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item2304d1d329
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: ftp on January 31, 2010, 08:37:59 pm
1000w  :o I can't afford to switch that on!
Haven't they got a low energy 5w version?
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: matt on January 31, 2010, 08:43:11 pm
1000w  :o I can't afford to switch that on!
Haven't they got a low energy 5w version?

have a read back

i am sure some1 said a 500 W costs about 10p a hour to run

it heats to 34 C , which will be luke warm and nice enough for me
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: ftp on January 31, 2010, 08:49:16 pm
What's the best temperature for legionerres?
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: Jeff Brimble on January 31, 2010, 09:00:36 pm
Below 32
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: ftp on January 31, 2010, 09:22:29 pm
Not much in it then  :o
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: ftp on January 31, 2010, 09:30:07 pm
http://www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/whatis.htm

Don't want to spoil the idea but should the warm water promote the growth of the bacteria I should imagine spraying the spoors about above your your head through fan jets could be the easiest way to catch it?

I don't know for sure so it's just a thought?
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: JSMC on January 31, 2010, 09:34:32 pm
bought a uk one 20ow and have it in tank just to keep the chill off the water. ideal
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: matt on January 31, 2010, 09:36:26 pm
http://www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/whatis.htm

Don't want to spoil the idea but should the warm water promote the growth of the bacteria I should imagine spraying the spoors about above your your head through fan jets could be the easiest way to catch it?

I don't know for sure so it's just a thought?

from the site :

6. Certain conditions increase the risk from legionella:

    * a suitable temperature for growth, 20 to 45oC;
    * a source of nutrients for the organism, eg sludge, scale, rust, algae, and other organic matter;and
    * a way of creating and spreading breathable droplets, eg the aerosol created by a cooling tower or spa pool.


 :o :o time for a rethink
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: mci services on January 31, 2010, 10:05:05 pm
. The symptoms of Legionnaires' disease are similar to those of flu:

high temperature, fever and chills;
cough;
muscle pains; and
headache.
In a bad case there may also be pneumonia, and occasionally diarrhoea and signs of mental confusion.

i suffer from all them especialy the mental confusion ::) best get rid of my heaters
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: evil genius on January 31, 2010, 10:33:32 pm
umm maybe i wont go for the aquarium heaters then!

seems ill have to wait till i can afford a propper set up
ian
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: JSMC on January 31, 2010, 10:33:55 pm
so these hot water systems??????????????????????????????
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: matt on January 31, 2010, 10:38:31 pm
i am going to just turn mine down

18 C

it'll stop the water from freezing in the pipes, will mean i am not pumping 1 or 2 C water through the pipes and them being all hard and kinking

it was never about having hot water for me, just meaning a little bit of warmth to stop freezing
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: drwindows on January 31, 2010, 10:49:18 pm
Quote
so i change the plugs fuse and wire the live the other way around

 ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: matt on January 31, 2010, 10:54:51 pm
Quote
so i change the plugs fuse and wire the live the other way around

 ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D


just for the record, for others who might be interested ( not you, as i just cannot be bothered with your opinions )

both cables were the same colour

so it wasnt possible to tell what was live and what wasnt, thus a a guessing game as the unit is sealed

Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: drwindows on January 31, 2010, 11:07:08 pm
Quote
not you, as i just cannot be bothered with your opinions

 :D  :D  :D  ;D  :D  :D  :D  ;D
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: evil genius on January 31, 2010, 11:20:03 pm
Matt,
even heating water to 18c  might help in cleaning slightly. surely it will help break down bird bombs ect, even if its only slightly

ian
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: matt on January 31, 2010, 11:24:37 pm
Matt,
even heating water to 18c  might help in cleaning slightly. surely it will help break down bird bombs ect, even if its only slightly

ian

your right ian,

its a fine line, i will insulate my tank so it will stay warm for the best part of the day

i dont like the idea of L.D , so i will play it safe and just heat to 18 C, at least it will not freeze in the tank and hoses, so thats half the problem gone
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: matt on February 01, 2010, 08:38:23 am


6. Certain conditions increase the risk from legionella:

    * a suitable temperature for growth, 20 to 45oC;
    * a source of nutrients for the organism, eg sludge, scale, rust, algae, and other organic matter;and
    * a way of creating and spreading breathable droplets, eg the aerosol created by a cooling tower or spa pool.


 :o :o time for a rethink


Except that if you're heating pure water then there is no source of nutrients.  There is nothing at all for them to fuel themselves, literally nothing, so you are at zero risk.

If you have any one of sludge, scale, rust algae or other organic matter, you're leaving dirty windows behind.

PW


good call, BUT but tanks will have a slight coating of algae, no matter how clean you think it is, if you leave water in a tank for any time, algae will grow
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: gewindows on February 01, 2010, 09:01:05 am
If your insulating your tank Matt there will be no light though.
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: Nathanael Jones on February 01, 2010, 12:14:04 pm
I cut the plugs off mine. There are 3 wires, the one that is green/yellow that you'd assume is the earth wire isn't. It seems to be simply for working the light on the Chinese plug. Mine is wired up without that wire connected, but I've put them on RCD safety plugs for my own peace of mind.
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: evil genius on February 01, 2010, 03:21:16 pm


6. Certain conditions increase the risk from legionella:

    * a suitable temperature for growth, 20 to 45oC;
    * a source of nutrients for the organism, eg sludge, scale, rust, algae, and other organic matter;and
    * a way of creating and spreading breathable droplets, eg the aerosol created by a cooling tower or spa pool.


 :o :o time for a rethink


Except that if you're heating pure water then there is no source of nutrients.  There is nothing at all for them to fuel themselves, literally nothing, so you are at zero risk.

If you have any one of sludge, scale, rust algae or other organic matter, you're leaving dirty windows behind.

PW


im not 100% sure but i believe that the pure water we use only has deposits such as calcium, carbon and and other tiny particals removed but i think bacterial can still be present in the water. even at 0000ppm.

its the bacteria that the LD strives on meaning LD can still be present in our pure water

ian
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: Nathanael Jones on February 01, 2010, 03:30:11 pm
A simple UV filter or ceramic filtration unit would remove any worries about LD. I've never heard of a wfp'er contracting it yet though, but the whole hot thing is relatively new.
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: ftp on February 01, 2010, 05:20:41 pm
The difference here is keeping a tank of warm water instead of on demand heating.
I changed the transfer hose in my static system yesterday and it was pretty slimy and smelly although my tds is pretty good and the tank is kept in the dark.

I could be just scaremainering here because I don't know enough. Worth chattinng about though.
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: DANDG on February 02, 2010, 07:40:44 pm
i put 3kw emersion heater in 500lt tank warms up in 30mins the longer i leave the hotter the water
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: NBwcs on February 03, 2010, 07:50:34 pm
"it was never about having hot water for me, just meaning a little bit of warmth to stop freezing"

Me too matt, ive got a 500l tank and one 300w heater set to 34deg c.,which brings it up to 16deg c. at the top by the morning.( 4deg lower than the legionaires ideal min temp). ive lagged it with a cylinder jacket and old quilt and was out this morning at 8.15. It didnt get above freezing until about 10ish, and was freezing on the sills/ground but no problem with freezing in the pipes. With a bit of common sense as to which props to clean, doors trad, salt (dishwasher not rock) with custys permission,etc and I reckon its not a bad investment at £20.(incl lagging). No need to go any hotter, unless freezing temp get too silly so legionaires not too much of an issue.   
 
 
 
Title: Re: Aquarium heaters -- any1 cut the plug off
Post by: matt on February 03, 2010, 09:14:06 pm
"it was never about having hot water for me, just meaning a little bit of warmth to stop freezing"

Me too matt, ive got a 500l tank and one 300w heater set to 34deg c.,which brings it up to 16deg c. at the top by the morning.( 4deg lower than the legionaires ideal min temp). ive lagged it with a cylinder jacket and old quilt and was out this morning at 8.15. It didnt get above freezing until about 10ish, and was freezing on the sills/ground but no problem with freezing in the pipes. With a bit of common sense as to which props to clean, doors trad, salt (dishwasher not rock) with custys permission,etc and I reckon its not a bad investment at £20.(incl lagging). No need to go any hotter, unless freezing temp get too silly so legionaires not too much of an issue.   
 
 
 


its not alot of money and if it means you can work just 1 hour extra, its paid for itself  ;D