Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello everyone,

I wanted to be able to add a solar heater/ run to my Dad's system and was wondering if anyone knows how to rig up a temperature gauge/ thermostat valve? The idea was to be able to have a gravity fed pipe run with a "max temp valve" that would either overflow to the Solar pipes or not.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks again.

You can use a thermostatically controlled electrical outlet to run a small secondary pump. They make them with a water temp probe on them. Something similar to this.

http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbee ... 7AodgUcAng

That is just what I needed. This will be great because I can put the entire "Heater" away when not in use...

Thank You.

If your solar water heater is positioned outside then you should also consider keeping the solar heater off if it's not warm enough to warm the water.

A cheaper idea would be to use an Arduino.

It's a programmable microprocessor. Hook up a waterproof temp probe, a relay, and write a code for it to click on the relay if the temp is below a certain point.

It'd be cheaper than the other, but more fiddly.

Thanks scotty,

It wouldn't of crossed my mind that this could potentially leach heat from my AP system.

Speaking of alternate controls. You might be able to place a snap disc in the Solar Water Heater enclosure (not in contact with the water) that detects an air temperature above X and completes the circuit to the pump and thermostat when this temp is reached. X would probably be whatever minimum temp you want in the system. I use one of these in my solar air heater that works at 90 degrees F. Snap Disc controllers are more for fan control and since I'm not an electrician I'm not sure these would be acceptable. There may be better ways for the water heater - Check BuilditSolar.com and see if you can find other solutions.

Two of these might do the trick as well. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Temperature-Controller-Thermostat-Water-Heater-Solar-System-Panel-Water-Pump-/121085779697?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

I'm not sure these include the sensor so you'd probably have some additional cost.

I take it that the solar collector hasn't got a copper or aluminium heat exchanger?

Let's hope not Sleepe.

I ended up getting one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/All-purpose-Temperature-Controller-STC-1000-Cooling/dp/B0084Y8HJK/ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1391093945&sr=1-3&keywords=aquarium+temperature+controller

Going to set it up with a 2nd pump and some fans...

Thanks BYAP