Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Ok so I am thinking about adding some heaters into my fish tank and grow beds the only thing I can find is the probe style heaters all of the pond heater only heat to like 45F and then turn off. So what I am wondering is is this the best method? My system is in my garage and is about 50F right now, and gets down to about 30ish in deep winter. Ok ideas go NOW....

At tractor supply you can get 1000 watt bucket heaters that will stay on, you'll need some kind of thermostat to turn it on/off though or it will keep going until your water is boiling...
Edit: Here you go http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/a ... ter-1000-w
According to the manufacturer's website the guard and heating element are both stainless steel.

We use more reliable and safe flow through heathing system like those they sell from pool supply or koi shop.
Search for ELECRO heather and you have an idea, minimum watt1000.
They are not cheap but they really do the job.
Regards immersion heater like the aquarium stuff...waste of money, they will really only gve you a differencial factor of 2 degrees above external temperature, unless you use many of them...but thet would be inefficient on the long run.
Heating it's a serious business unfortunately and until we can benefit from clean sfae energy than will really be affordable.

OK Low Carb I bought that heater and all I have to say is HOLY CRAP THANK YOU!!! within 24 hours it went from 50 degrees to 65. I turned it off and left it off for 24hours...(not on purpose) and the temp dropped only to 60.I have it back on and might do it this way just turning it on for a day and then letting it cool a bit.

Awesome, I'm glad I could help and it's working good for you.

Water is a great heat neutral. Many greenhouses stay frost free with large black tanks heated via sun light and radiate heat when the sun is down.
Get your water where you want it and under most circumstances it will stay fairly constant.

Jtk07

Very true.... until you start pumping through grow beds. Then woosh! Heat gone.

well said

Hey low carb
When using that heater should I keep it in the sump tank ? Or should I put it in the fish tank? I also have a 1000 wat titanium heater with controller.

If you can isolate your system so it's just recirculating between the FT and sump I'd probably put it in the sump just because it gets so hot; but fish probably know enough not to burn themselves on it if you put it in the FT.

Please get a controller. Large temperature fluctuations are stressful for fish and if you forget to turn it off one day, you'll end up with one big pot of fish soup.

Any thoughts on a good thermostat? I found a couple but they are more than the heater....