[nathankaye]

So my first temp reading was  at half 2 this afternoon after topping my tank up from its 1000ltr ibc tank un insulated in the garden and that was 5.8 on my tds temp stick. In 1, 45hrs it is reading 10.5 so an increase of 5degrees in just under 2hrs. Now will that just increase at that basis or will it quicken up as now its heating 10.5 and not 5.8, i have no idea on the science part. But i probably will take a reading a couple of hrs later out of curiosity

[Soupy]

In 1, 45hrs it is reading 10.5 so an increase of 5degrees in just under 2hrs.

Even if it works just as frost protection I reckon you're on a winner!

[Smurf]

Just don't go dropping yer handheld tds meter in the tank now will you 

[nathankaye]

Just don't go dropping yer handheld tds meter in the tank now will you 

Learnt that lesson first week with 1000ibc tank....ooops now on 2nd tds stick 

[Smurf]

Just don't go dropping yer handheld tds meter in the tank now will you 

Learnt that lesson first week with 1000ibc tank....ooops now on 2nd tds stick 

Me too that's why I mentioned it...Oops! 

[Dry Clean]

You need to stir your water Nathan or take the reading from the bottom/pumped.

[Tosh]

Why?

[JandS]

Will be colder at bottom of tank.

[Tosh]

Hot water rising will create thermals in the tank, make sure you have the thermostat turned up on the heater it’ll just stay on with cold water sinking.

[drakestar!]

I've been using 1 for years, keeps me working.

[nathankaye]

Cheers for all added tips, yep i have the thermostat on its highest settings.

[johnwillan]

Hi Nathan

I used to use the 1kw version with a foil blanket over the 500L tank, it worked quite well.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HB2J2H2/ref=pe_385721_51767431_TE_dp_1


 

[andyM]

I think you're being a bit optimistic Nathan.
I put a 500 watt aquarium heater in my 350 ltr tank overnight and it in the morning the water temperature is just luke warm.
Still worth doing though as it does stop the tank, hose and pump from freezing up.

[Tosh]

It wont be any warmer than the water you get from your tank in the spring.

[alanwilson]

It takes 15kw of energy to heat 500ltrs by 25degrees.
0.6kw will take 25hrs assuming zero loss of heat.
Water at top obviously will be hotter.
Simple formula is
6kw per 1000ltrs per hour per 5 degree rise in temp.

[alanwilson]

So as previous poster says 1 degree per hour is what you will get.

[nathankaye]

If i turn the heater on at 9pm and leave till 8am next morning, giving  11hrs of heating time.....
Ive just checked temp after 7hrs 
So start was 5. something and now 7 hrs later its only 18.5 so not quite hot water. But on brightside, it wont freeze so thats a plus. Apart from paying over the odds for the two heaters its not that bad. But checking out different wattage and prices on internet, im going to stick to the idea of just plonking heaters in over night for time being but 2 higher wattage heaters. Which i will post about another time.

[Og]

I bung a 500w element into a half filled 650l tank. It stops the outlet freezing up. But that's it.  On hard frosticle mornings, the water aint warm, just above zero.

[alanwilson]

Nathan, check the water temp at the bottom of the tank. It will be much lower.

You can't argue with physics

[Og]

Ambient temp will have an affect also too.