[Koidaddy]

Hey there, Hope someone can help me out in a hurry? :smile:

My name is Chris and over the years I have tinkered with electrical installations here at home, but with simple stuff only.

I need someone's help ASAP as I'm a koi fish hobbyist who has some sick fish. I have an indoor 1200 gallon tank that needs to have its water temperature increased - fish need it to improve their revovery and immune system. Water temp is currently at 60 degrees F and I need to get it to at least 76 degrees F. Room temperature is at 70 degrees.

I plan on installing an inline heating element, like the DIY ones found on YouTube, but instead of inline in a pipe, I'd rather add the heating element to my filter (it's a pool sand filter) using a 1" threaded bulkhead fitting. It will have an exterior thermostat.

This is for a "120v" installation:
Here are the parts I think I need to do the job.... Just not sure of a few things, such as:

1: Will my bulkhead fitting and fibreglass tank be able to handle the element's heat at connection point? Remember, water in filter will always be running over element...

2: What size of a/c solid stat relay will I need for my set up considering the parts below?

3: Confirm order of connection, espepecially which side off ssr to connect to element?

Here the parts I think I need, but need your help to confirm ssr sizing and that my tank and bulkhead won't melt from connection through bulkhead / fibreglass tank wall. (I know people in the fish business often use regular PVC piping for inlines without issue, but my installation is a bit different since I'm screwing element directly into my pool filter.

So, I think it's element to ssr then to temperature controller in that order?

Here are pics of parts. Please feel free to add your comments. My fish need you in their hour of need. Their as equally loved as my dog, and I love her to bits!

 

[Koidaddy]

Last two pics

 

[Bondo]

but my installation is a bit different since I'm screwing element directly into my pool filter.

Ayuh,.... Doesn't the filter have a filter media in it,..??

Isn't the heatin' element goin' to be into this filterin' media,..??

Just do a Pvc, in-line after the filter if the answers to my questions are yes,...

 

[Nik333]

I'm not an electrician but did have a large salt-water aquarium in Hawaii. Isn't it rather risky to do a DIY job? Especially when they make safe heaters?

I lost all my fish when the filter quit while I was in the Caribbean on a sailboat. I'd had them for 4 yrs. My house caretakers just didn't know what to do even though I left a list of contacts. Another time the little puffer got caught on the filter outflow and let his poison out, apparently thinking he was under attack. Lost a few fish.

It just seems like water and DIY electricity don't mix.....but not an expert.

 

[Koidaddy]

Ayuh,.... Doesn't the filter have a filter media in it,..??

Isn't the heatin' element goin' to be into this filterin' media,..??

Just do a Pvc, in-line after the filter if the answers to my questions are yes,...

Hey Bondo,

Yes, filter has sand in it, but only up to the halfway mark or so. Water always sits on top of sand, so the element would sit there. A few people have mentioned if done as PVC inline, and if I should stop my pump without unplugging heat, pipe would fry pretty fast. My thinking is, if in pool filter, it's surrounded by a larger body of water.

What about size of ssr. I'll either go with a 1500 watt or 2000 watt element, but I'm thinking the 2000 watt would be a greater melt factor on bulkhead, fibreglass tank or inline PVC??

 

[Koidaddy]

I'm not an electrician but did have a large salt-water aquarium in Hawaii. Isn't it rather risky to do a DIY job? Especially when they make safe heaters?

I lost all my fish when the filter quit while I was in the Caribbean on a sailboat. I'd had them for 4 yrs. My house caretakers just didn't know what to do even though I left a list of contacts. Another time the little puffer got caught on the filter outflow and let his poison out, apparently thinking he was under attack. Lost a few fish.

It just seems like water and DIY electricity don't mix.....but not an expert.

Thanks Nik333, you're probably right. If I had my way I'd pay a licensed electrician, but I'm unemployed and penny concious:smile: this DIY set up is used all the time... Many folks who brew beer use the same principal, either for heating or chilling... Lots of videos on YouTube, and of course I'd run by final connects on this board before actually switching on.:smile:

 

[joed]

I'm having a hard time figuring how the water temp can be 10 degrees below the room temp unless you have some sort of cooling installed.
Maybe the tank too close to outside wall or floor with poor insulation. In that case increase the insulation.

 

[Koidaddy]

I'm having a hard time figuring how the water temp can be below the room temp unless you have some sort of cooling installed.

It's because I do small daily water changes and its winter here, so city water is ice cold. Remember, it's a 1200 gallon tank, so it never catches up with ambient air temperature.


On the other hand, I have no temp issues with my small 85 gallon tank. It's always above room temperature, and if I need extra heat there, I just leave the canopy light on longer....:smile:

 

[Koidaddy]

My tank...

 

[Koidaddy]

Filtration...

 

[joed]

It's because I do small daily water changes and its winter here, so city water is ice cold. Remember, it's a 1200 gallon tank, so it never catches up with ambient air temperature.

Can't you use hot or warm water to fill it?

Maybe buy a small under counter water heater and just put it in line.

 

[Koidaddy]

Can't you use hot or warm water to fill it?

Maybe buy a small under counter water heater and just put it in line.

Don't know what u mean by small under the counter water heater, but one must also take into consideration what types of metals are used for tanks.... Some are toxic to koi.

And yes, I suppose I could hook a garden hose from my laundry room to fish room, but in all honesty it would be a bit of a guessing game depending on the size of water change, and sudden fluctuations in temperature aren't good for fish.... Slow and steady, then maintain. That's why I'd prefer to use a heating element and a temperature controller. I have a couple of sick fish in the tank, and they need to be at a steady 76 degrees. Some other parasite or bacterial infections need 80 degree and more...

Just went online and priced out under the counter heaters.... Far too expensive, and most are on demand, meaning they suck plenty of electricity, so not sure that's for me.

My proposed set up would be less than $75.00

 

[Koidaddy]

Apart from the element being in contact with sand during backwash operation, do any of you see any differance, disadvantage between element being inside filter or PVC pipe inline? Isn't it part of the same water loop?

 

[craig11152]

It's because I do small daily water changes and its winter here, so city water is ice cold. Remember, it's a 1200 gallon tank, so it never catches up with ambient air temperature.

I don't think there is any reason the water temperature wouldn't "catch up" to the ambient air temperature if that temperature was more or less constant. Is there any way you can preheat the water you swap out?

 

[Nik333]

Are they in the "fish room" 365 days a year?

 

[Koidaddy]

Hey Guys, with your number of posts you must know your stuff.

Maybe I'm being stubborn, but don't you think instead of inline, that placing the element in filtration tank could work as effectively as inline? Element would have more space / water inside tank than being inline in a 1.5" PVC pipe. Also, installation would be easier for me and element change outs much easier (screw out - screw in).

Anyway, I do appreciate all your help. Whatever you guys advise, I'll be listening.

Also, could any of you reassure me again if there would be a risk of pipe or bulkhead / tank meltdown where element connects? And what size (type) of ssr would you recommend for either a 1500 or 2000 watt element? If you can answer today that would be great... I need to get parts ordered ASAP.

Thanks!
Chris

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

where are you located? I have had a big koi pond outside for about 20 years, havent had any issues with sickness.....no uv lights or any of that water cleaning stuff...too antiseptic of an environment will hurt the fish....when you use city water for changes do you treat to kill the chlorine?.any water heater rated for human use will not effect the koi...

 

[WhatRnsdownhill]

Nice looking koi from the pic of the tank............

 

[Koidaddy]

I don't think there is any reason the water temperature wouldn't "catch up" to the ambient air temperature if that temperature was more or less constant. Is there any way you can preheat the water you swap out?

Yes, I could run a hose from my laundry room using a mixture of hot and cold, but that would be a hassle as I do small daily water changes? And not sure if there are any mineral/metal deposits built up in my hot water tank that I should be worried about effecting my fish?

 

[Koidaddy]

where are you located? I have had a big koi pond outside for about 20 years, havent had any issues with sickness.....no uv lights or any of that water cleaning stuff...too antiseptic of an environment will hurt the fish....when you use city water for changes do you treat to kill the chlorine?.any water heater rated for human use will not effect the koi...

Thanks for your reply. I live in Montreal, Canada, and I do use dechlor each and every water change. My fish come in for the winter. I put them outside in May in my 8000 gallon pond. They come inside the first week of November. The real problem is, I have too many koi in a small space, so they stress easily. The need warmer water for a stronger immune system to combat their stress.

Here's their outside digs.... I built it all by my self...:smile: