Results 21 to 40 of 293
Thread: DIY solar pond heater.
-
21-02-2020, 08:18 AM #21
-
23-02-2020, 01:38 PM #22
Been thinking of something similar, cheap, simple and very little to go wrong .
2 thoughts, would winter sun be enough to have any effect ? (when benefit needed most), and would returning warmed water to the start of filter system help keep bio media more active ?
Can/have you measure in/out water temps ?
Will be following with interest.
-
23-02-2020, 07:29 PM #23John
-
freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
-
26-02-2020, 12:48 PM #24
I don't particularly have an opinion or belief about what I'm about to say - I'm just airing a thought that crossed my mind, whilst reading this thread:
Firstly, it's nice to see someone trying something like this, which isn't common in the UK.
Secondly, here's the question(s) that crossed my mind:
Koi are peculiarly sensitive creatures - we all know they have a hard time with some environmental fluctuations (ph, for example).
1a)Given that solar heating obviously relies upon sunlight, is it possible that a solar heater might lead to a greater fluctuation in temperature between night and day? i.e. a greater difference between day & night temperatures, than would otherwise be the case with zero heating?
1b)Would this upset the fish, or would they just take it in their stride and be grateful for being warmer than usual, during the day, even if the night temperature gradually drops to the same old cold temperature they've always known?
Interested to hear everyone's thoughts on this, and not trying to dissuade the project at all (I rather like the idea, and think it's worth the OP trying, to find out)
-
26-02-2020, 01:11 PM #25
Good questions. My opinion. It all depends
How quickly it happens and how far it goes up or down. Going down in temperature is worse then going upwards
Especially if its rapid. When I drop my grow on I do it at 2 degrees every other day.
And my fish have always been ok with that.
Same with increasing.
But I would nt like to drop it by say 5 degrees. Might shock them.
I would of thought the solar panel built here.
Would nt alter it rapidly. But what do I know
Fred
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
-
-
26-02-2020, 04:17 PM #26
Good point above.
As my pond is mostly in the shade as it is covered it doesn't get very warm in the summer.
I hear of folk on here saying their pond is at 21 deg unheated whereas mine would be at maybe 18 at best in the summer.
This will be a very slow flow and will probably take a week of sunshine to go up 1 deg but I dont know till I try.
It will be off at night so not circulating cold water and the pond temp may drop a bit same as an unsolared pond.
So I cant see it making any difference compared to an uncovered pond in the open all I will be doing is putting more heat in the day same as an uncovered pond.John
-
-
28-02-2020, 01:18 AM #27
It's been a couple of days since I posted, and I just remembered that there was an Aquatechnobel episode, ages ago, from Denmark, with a hobbyist who was using a commercial solar heater on an uncovered pond, and he seems to get on with it just fine. If he has no problems in a colder country like Denmark, then that seems to answer my earlier question and you're probably going to have no fish problems regarding temperature swings, in the UK.
See the 5:45 and 8.00 min mark, in the video:
Le bassin à koi de Joakim - The koi pond of joakim - YouTube
UPDATE:
4 months later, this video shows a German pond with solar heating, too:
youtube.com/watch?v=b6suKxj5qug
Last edited by MustBeSomethingInTheWater; 24-06-2020 at 01:13 PM.
-
07-03-2020, 10:29 AM #28
Hi Jon,
I missed this post, looks a great idea and certainly worth a punt, I do not see any issues with temperature swings as like you say its not going to dramatically increase temps enough in any direction, my pond like yours does not get much direct sunlight at all either and temp increases in summer never reach the heights of others unheated either who are in the sun, be interested what temp of water you get out of this once we have some decent warm days which sadly still look at least a month or two away.... I wondered if leaving the polycarb panels on for a few week during warm weather would also aid temp increase as it would act like a greenhouse effect? Steve.
-
07-03-2020, 01:35 PM #29John
-
07-03-2020, 05:10 PM #30
Even though there is no water in the pipes yet I have a temp gauge in there and it is reading 18deg with little sun on it,so basically it is a mini greenhouse so looking good to me.
John
-
07-03-2020, 08:28 PM #31Freddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
-
07-03-2020, 08:47 PM #32
-
07-03-2020, 08:54 PM #33
-
07-03-2020, 09:38 PM #34Freddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
-
07-03-2020, 10:01 PM #35John
-
07-03-2020, 10:39 PM #36
Fancying it like because I've never had the temps others have the same as you . I'll let you figure it out then pinch ya idea haha
Sent from my SM-G973F using TapatalkFreddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
-
08-03-2020, 03:38 PM #37
Wow, it was 37deg today in there.
Working out how to connect the hose to 1.5ins pipe
Think I have sorted it but not done it yet,will have to wait a couple of days as will be busy with other jobs.John
-
08-03-2020, 04:03 PM #38
Wow should work a treat then that's crazy
Sent from my SM-G973F using TapatalkFreddyboy the legend
"we are water keepers first"
Johnathan
-
08-03-2020, 04:14 PM #39
I know mate couldn't believe it myself.
Have you watched the YouTube on it nearly all in the states?John
-
08-03-2020, 04:45 PM #40
I know that people have scalded their kids squirting then with water from a hose that’s laid out in the sun.
My one got bloody hot last year after a few hours laying on the grass in bright sunlight. Quite impressive that it’s that warm in this chilly weather!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Running heater at low temp?
Covering the pond with polycarb should be enough to stop water temps dipping below 6C for the most...