Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

This thing is supposed to burn used oil, kerosene, fuel oil, diesel, or pretty much anything that burns. Besides bio-diesel, which I don't have ready access to, are any of these option better then any other? I'm concerned about any long term effects on the fish in my RAS. Obviously, it will be vented outside, and it is rated for work shops for people. Just wondering if anything ends up in the water when burning?

As a biodieseler since 2005 of course I'm biased. There are many benefit, cost, and biodiesel being mostly plant based is carbon neutral. If you don't want to go to the expense of making you own processor, you can burn WVO (waste veggie oil) WVO is a little dirtier, and doesn't have a uniform viscosity as diesel and biodiesel but it burns great, especially if you can warm it up a bit and run it through a filter to clean out the particles.

Generally speaking whatever is free followed by whatever is cheap.

The things I've been told to stay away from are used engine oils and used transformer oils because in use they develop a range of nasties which would be bad for you and your neighbours (community, country, world as a whole).

As Stuart pointed out, avoid transformer oils, if you ever run across them. I've spent time in shops heated by used engine and tranny oils, and the exhaust is not too bad, though likely not healthy. The exhaust should be outside anyways, but it doesn't seem to be 100% with any of the 4 or 5 of the waste oil heaters I've seen in use.
Brian has probably got the best suggestion with waste fryer vegetable oil, if you can get it. It burns clean, smells like dinner, and you know that it is food safe.

I guess I need to start looking for some used cooking oil. I have so much used motor oil....what a shame.

Chris, you can try the motor oil, just see how you make out for odors etc. As I said, there should never be exhaust present in the heated air/space. The systems I have experience with were in mechanic's shops, and the incentive to keep automotive odors out may be lacking a little. If nothing else, blend it into the wvo, as it's a shame to just pass up the resource.

I would agree with that reading up on them they are designed to burn waste engine oil.

Personally I would filter it first and some years back there was an oil filter that used dunny rolls, bit slow if you are not using an oil pump but doable with gravity.

I am sure someone would know the energy output for various fuels but oil would be fairly high I imagine.

Yep, agree and on top of that PCB was invented because of its cooling capabilities in transformers. My dad was a coal tar chemist. Conversely I have a good buddy down Texas way that uses a centrifuge to clean all sorts of oils to blend with kerosene and burn in his Ford PowerStroke. transformer oil is one of those he burns. I think it is as Stuart says,"Nasty." I'll second the notion they are not environmentally friendly

I think I'll stick with the veggie oil from the fryers. Fish and chips. Lol

the concern with WVO (waste veggie oil) is dirt which clogs jets. Clogged jets are a royal pita. most wvo users run the WVO through a repurposed cream separator which acts as a centrifuge then a sock filter, and finally 10 micron diesel fuel filter. Being choosy about the WVO is important as well. I find that Chinese restaurants have the least crap in their waste oil. Hamburger joints are the worst because grease quickly turns back to lard and the last thing you want is fuel delivery issues. You can avoid all the mess and find grocery stores that have expired veggie oil to get rid of.

Thanks boss...Good info

Also make sure you are burning very, very clean. As the exhaust may settle on the outside of your GH blocking some of the needed sunlight. Found out the hard way with a wood burning stove that's exhaust was a little "sooty". I imagine condensed oil vapor would be harder to get off the poly.

Look I take recycling fairly seriously, and while the prevalent 'hippy' view is that burning waste oil is bad I am not so certain. The temperature of the burn is significant. I understand from the company hype (not that I automatically accept this) these are designed to burn waste oil.
Wood burning without a reburner has a serious impact on the environment (as an aside).

I would think you will run into a deal of difficulties using WVO; on the assumption that you will be using this when it is cold viscosity will be a problem, inconsistency of supply quality will basically stuff your system (Chinese restaurant oil or not).

BTW you should think about what I said about an external (even though it may be attached) area/building to use the heater in. I would not in a flying fit put an oil of whatever description burner in an area in which I was using to grow fish)

There again this is only imho.

that is why I was asking about which model it is. Because when I went to their site they have three distinct styles. His is a multi-fuel, not necessarily a WMO (waste motor oil) burner. WMO burners have extensive oil cleaning and heating subsystems built in. The WMO burners in auto-shops are quite large in part because of those subsystems also they put out more BTUs of course. Just another EnvironMENTAL Hippie wacko - Brian Rodgers