Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

This cloy over a pipe etc was in response to the problem of heated copper being in contact with the system water...
If you have a closed system and use the copper as a means of diffusing heat into the system then perhaps the glazed copper pipe would be the best idea... as long as the glass does not contain lead

Janet is absolutely correct in saying the clay will crack when fired. It could also crack when the pipe undergoes changes in temperature.

Keep in mind too that fired clay is a good insulator. Clay around a hot pipe would not perform to well. One possible way is to find a clay which is very high in alumina or zircon. This will allow the clay to conduct heat better. However the insulating properties are still high so the clay would have to be only a few milimetres thin, which will increase the risk of cracking. Both these materials are very expensive and could also be harm full to the fish.

Ideally you could make a two piece mould of the copper object which is about 2-3 mm larger than the original. Make a section on top of the mould to put broken glass, which will melt and form around the copper object. The melting temperature of some glass is lower than copper so the copper piping can stay in the mould.

Another option is coating the copper in silicone rubber or latex. Or possibly a polyester resin.

Here's an idea... how about those evacuated solar tubes..... instead of pumping the cold water into them on the roof to be warmed by the sun why not have a couple in the tank with the warm water pumping back through them... glass would transfer the heat pretty well wouldn't it??

And surely then you'd get a circulation effect as well with water cooling in the bottom tubes and heating in the roof tubes?

Would seem to be an effective way???? Yes/no???

thermal cycling Rup?

Just a quick one today in the tip somebody dumped 3 solar hot water panels 1 m square in good order they want $50.00 ea if anybody interested i can put a hold on them will need to know tonight

Again I say - if only you were in Qld F&F

Or W.A then id take one

The problem I can see with the evacuated solar tube is that the tube is constructed like a vacuum bottle (Thermos). The net result is that the tube acts as its own insulator, and might not conduct the heat back into the water. I understand that the tube is designed for the water inside of it to be heated by solar radiation, but I am not sure about it allowing it to radiate back out.

Kevin