[supernova77]

Hi All

Do aquarium heaters work safely?

Do you use them in your static holding tank or van tank?

Thanks
Andy

[R.C Property]

They are 100 times safer than immersion heaters, could be costly to run.

You could either put it in your static tank, then first thing in the morning transfer water into van, or if you can run heavy duty extension lead to the van and have it on a timer in there.

Personally the first one is safer, but the second could also keep the van frost free a bit,

[gewindows]

Why would you want a heavy duty extension lead? Any extension lead would suffice surely? Or am I missing something? Aquarium heaters only go up to 300W I believe. Nothing unusual in that is there?

[R.C Property]

Why would you want a heavy duty extension lead? Any extension lead would suffice surely? Or am I missing something? Aquarium heaters only go up to 300W I believe. Nothing unusual in that is there?

You can get higher ones,

For the extension lead, over distance plus being outside in cold freezing conditions then it's better and safer to use a better one than a normal house hold one, some household ones the plastic coating can go brittle if frozen an few times leaving live wires bare.
Plus having 300watts of current continue being drawn it can get warm in the wire or the plug.

[supernova77]

Thanks for the info...

I might get a 500w one and place it in my 1000L holding tank.

Do you think it would be safe laying on the bottom on stands so as not to touch the plastic?

Andy

[R.C Property]

Thanks for the info...

I might get a 500w one and place it in my 1000L holding tank.

Do you think it would be safe laying on the bottom on stands so as not to touch the plastic?

Andy

I've not actually seen one in real life so not sure, I think some people just lower it so it is suspend in the middle of the water depending on length of it.

Or you could get some sort of heat proof stand that you could lay it on the bottom of the tank.

[Smudger]

500 watt in 1000 ltrs will only give you around 10 degrees and take a long time to put some warmth in the water

you really need 2 plus some cirulation in the water

1 use 2 x 500 in the van tank overnight and get between 35 and 40 deg in the tank 25 at the brush head

these cost 15p p/h to run on day rate leccky 7p p/h on night rate

do not let them sit on the plastic bottom

Darran

[gewindows]

I doubt theyll go brittle if frozen as they wont freeze if there's leccy running through them.

I used a 1,000W one two years back to try to give my warm a nice toasty glow. Just wasnt for me though. I occassionally use one to prevent the water form freezing overnight in the winter, in the van and holding tank out the back.

[R.C Property]

I doubt theyll go brittle if frozen as they wont freeze if there's leccy running through them.

It does, even when the proper cables are used outside that people have running to shed or garage they still go brittle after time. But most of the time they are up on it the way.
Being from the building back ground for 15yrs,  and used to do electrical fitting along side electricians you get to pick things up.

[gewindows]

LOL

[johnwillan]

I use a 1kw thermostatic aquarium heater set to 34 degrees, I simply drop it in the van tank at night (they sit on the bottom without any issues) with a foil wrap over the top (as worn at the end of a marathon etc) powered by an extension lead rated greater than 1kw when unwound and leave the foil wrap on during the day. Heater £50 & foil wrap £5 for 5 both from eBay. By morning the water is 34 degrees and stays warm all day which makes life a lot easier (flexible pipes etc). Have used an immersion heater and greenhouse heater in the past but find this system far better. Hope this helps.

[Fakenham Tony]

what size van tank do you have John?
Thanks for the info

[ben M]

I use a 1kw thermostatic aquarium heater set to 34 degrees, I simply drop it in the van tank at night (they sit on the bottom without any issues) with a foil wrap over the top (as worn at the end of a marathon etc) powered by an extension lead rated greater than 1kw when unwound and leave the foil wrap on during the day. Heater £50 & foil wrap £5 for 5 both from eBay. By morning the water is 34 degrees and stays warm all day which makes life a lot easier (flexible pipes etc). Have used an immersion heater and greenhouse heater in the past but find this system far better. Hope this helps.

any links please? (aquarium heater and foil wrap)
thanks

[johnwillan]

I use a 350L flat tank but I'm sure it would work in larger units too.

Heater item number 350661302052 £41.99 (eBay) select the 1000w version.

Foil Survival Emergency Blanket (Pack of 5) £4.75 (Amazon)

[ben M]

thanks John