Michigan Cichlid Association
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Ron on June 04, 2013, 05:13:27 PM
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Anyone running a space heater in their "fishroom"? If not, what are you using?
I've been running heaters in my larger tanks, plus smaller tanks near the floor (~78F) and allowing the ambient heat to keep the rest reasonably warm (~76F). I'm wondering if switching to a central heat source for the room might make more sense. Perhaps a space heater?
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I'm using a big fan propelled ceramic, but IDK what kind or wattage. So I'm of No help.
My electric went up $35 a month once I started using it. But I wasn't running in tank heaters before using it. So again, I am of No help.
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So I'm of No help.
So again, I am of No help.
Quoted :P
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I had a vent-less natural gas heater installed in my fishroom about three years ago and my gas bill is up but my electrical bill has been down by more than enough that I paid off the heater and installation costs within the first three years. I do have a temperature gradient in the room but the walls and ceiling were insulated with fiberglass batting so the room does stay warm overall. I'd say there's a two-three degree difference between the floor (which is not insulated) to the ceiling. I've tried using a small fan to distribute warmer air from above down to the lower levels but it's pretty ineffective.
Given the option in fishroom of any size, I'd always go with central heating over individual electric heaters in the tanks. If you have one or more tanks in the room that need more heat than your room heater can provide, you can always put individual heaters in those few tanks.
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Great topic Ron. I am in the same position heaters in all my ~80 tanks.
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Variable wattage oil filled electric space heater works great, i run a 15yo version of this link: http://www.lowes.com/pd_167509-47166-73368_0__?productId=3468001&Ntt=oil+filled+space+heater&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Doil%2Bfilled%2Bspace%2Bheater&facetInfo=
My fish room is only 10x12 and this doesn't deal with humidity. I had to open windows in January because humidity was cresting 60%. not looking to rot my house from the inside out....
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Whiteram gave me advice about using a dehumidifier to heat the room while remove the moisture, 2 birds, but not efficient. All in all operating cost would be a wash.
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If you have one or more tanks in the room that need more heat than your room heater can provide, you can always put individual heaters in those few tanks.
That's a very good point. I don't think I'd get rid of my heater collection if I moved to a central heater just for that reason.
My fish room is only 10x12 and this doesn't deal with humidity. I had to open windows in January because humidity was cresting 60%. not looking to rot my house from the inside out....
Whiteram gave me advice about using a dehumidifier to heat the room while remove the moisture, 2 birds, but not efficient. All in all operating cost would be a wash.
I have been running a dehumidifier as well, which helps add some heat to the room. I also have my wood furnace in the room immediately outside the fishroom, which is the worse insulated wall simply due to the door, so in the winter it helps to buffer the ambient temperature when entering/exiting.
I've spent a lot of time thinking about this topic over the years and I don't think it's possible to save operating costs if the choice is between electric heaters in the tanks and an electric-powered heater for the room. The gas heater like jamarini mentioned would help save cost since it's often more efficient to heat with gas than electricity.
The big advantage I see is to save costs on buying/replacing heaters on a tank by tank basis. Liberating myself from another $20 heater per tank makes setting up extra tanks just that much easier.
Variable wattage oil filled electric space heater works great, i run a 15yo version of this link: http://www.lowes.com/pd_167509-47166-73368_0__?productId=3468001&Ntt=oil+filled+space+heater&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Doil%2Bfilled%2Bspace%2Bheater&facetInfo=
I'll have to go take a look at that. From what I've researched so far it seems that many oscillating-style ones are bad news over time because the cord weakens due to continuous movement within the heater, leading to a greater chance of fire. For a smaller, well insulated room a stationary one should work out fine.
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I was talking to Ted Judy regarding this topic awhile back & he recommended using baseboard heaters.
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Ron I visited a guppy breeder last winter that had two electric ceiling heaters. They heated his room well. But I expect cost to operate to be high.
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http://www.rinnai.us/direct-vent-wall-furnace/product/ex11c_rhfe-265fta
Someday when I have a complete fishroom this is what I plan to install or something similar. They keep building higher efficiency units and the prices are slowly dropping. Higher cost upfront, but should pay back in a few years. The direct vent is safer and no added humidity that you get from non-venting. I actually put a non vented unit in and used it for a day. I did not like the fumes and just was not comfortable with it.
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http://www.rinnai.us/direct-vent-wall-furnace/product/ex11c_rhfe-265fta
Someday when I have a complete fishroom this is what I plan to install or something similar. They keep building higher efficiency units and the prices are slowly dropping. Higher cost upfront, but should pay back in a few years. The direct vent is safer and no added humidity that you get from non-venting. I actually put a non vented unit in and used it for a day. I did not like the fumes and just was not comfortable with it.
wow Gary only $1k too. :P Looks like I need to start doing Fronts. ;)
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The gas furnace looks nice, but I'd need a room at least 3x as large to justify the price.
I'm noticing a trend of electric-based heating. The guppy breeder with them on the ceiling sounds like a great way to save space. FWIW I stopped in at Lowes this morning ... they don't stock space heaters when it's not cold outside and sorta thought I was nuts asking for one. :o
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I do like the conserving room idea... but I don't like the idea of a heater up high.
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I do like the conserving room idea... but I don't like the idea of a heater up high.
Because it'll sit in the warmest part of the room or because heat rises (as do flames!)?
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Second the motion for ventless natural gas ,electric bill dropped like a stone . Worth the effort to set up! Electricity is just to expensive to heat a big room.
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Because heat rises.
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I've got one of these to heat my garage, but I need serious BTU's ... https://www.google.com/#q=hot+dawg&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=ubWxUbjKC-GdyQGO24G4DA&sqi=2&ved=0CD4Qsxg&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=d1b72d04d0521783&biw=1920&bih=913
Maybe they make something really small that would work?
:)
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Just ordered a oil filled electric for my fish room sick of seeing my bottom tanks dropping into the 60's summer sure is swell.... Ill let you know how it works.
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Just ordered a oil filled electric for my fish room sick of seeing my bottom tanks dropping into the 60's summer sure is swell.... Ill let you know how it works.
dan where did you order from and how much did it cost?
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Lowes $40 was buying my Dad a chop saw and decided to toss it on the order having some decent die off thinking the weather and inconsistent temps may be the cause.
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Dan
How is the oil filled heater working, there is a aco hardware going out of business and they have a bunch for $20 new in the box,same as the one Joefish linked too on the first page.
I have a ceramic heater going now but it doest seem to get all the way across the room, bu the area its in is doing just fine
Thanks
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What location is closing? I might want to get one.
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What location is closing? I might want to get one.
By my house :P
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Dan
How is the oil filled heater working, there is a aco hardware going out of business and they have a bunch for $20 new in the box,same as the one Joefish linked too on the first page.
I have a ceramic heater going now but it doest seem to get all the way across the room, bu the area its in is doing just fine
Thanks
The oil filled electric seems to be doing a fine job. My room is only 10x10 or so and it heats it very fast and efficient, I leave it on the lowest setting and am often able to turn it off completely .
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Dan
How is the oil filled heater working, there is a aco hardware going out of business and they have a bunch for $20 new in the box,same as the one Joefish linked too on the first page.
I have a ceramic heater going now but it doest seem to get all the way across the room, bu the area its in is doing just fine
Thanks
The oil filled electric seems to be doing a fine job. My room is only 10x10 or so and it heats it very fast and efficient, I leave it on the lowest setting and am often able to turn it off completely .
good to know.... I just got one from a garage sale last week.
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Dan
How is the oil filled heater working, there is a aco hardware going out of business and they have a bunch for $20 new in the box,same as the one Joefish linked too on the first page.
I have a ceramic heater going now but it doest seem to get all the way across the room, bu the area its in is doing just fine
Thanks
The oil filled electric seems to be doing a fine job. My room is only 10x10 or so and it heats it very fast and efficient, I leave it on the lowest setting and am often able to turn it off completely .
good to know.... I just got one from a garage sale last week.
Looks like I am going to go big and spend the $20 and get one ;D
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Good to see you guys have found those oil-filled ones. ;)
I've stopped by some big box stores and only gotten funny looks when I ask about buying a space heater during the summer. ;D
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Just have to order it online from lowes home depot or where ever you like to shop.
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Got one today brand new in the box for $16.00 plus tax
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Ron, I did some research years ago on heating my woodshop with electricity to help keep the humidity down. You can only get up to aprox 5020 btu's out of a 1500 watt heater period. These high priced heaters will not produce any more heat than a 35.00 cube type heater. The thing to look for is one that has a good thermostat. Some heaters even when not producing heat will use electricity.I have a oil heater and several others I've used in travel trailers over the years and recently purchased a Pelonis brand for 30.00 and it worked great for my fish room which is aprox 28x32. I have a watt meter which will tell how much wattage used and if left connected for a few weeks will give a yearly cost. I kept the room at 78-80 degrees with this heater consistantly but I can't say how much it saved me because I didn't have anything to base it on. I do know that it is cheaper to heat the room than heat numerous tanks. The electric heat will dry the air some which may help keep the humidity down. All this said I switched to a fluless natural gas heater half way into the winter which I know is much cheaper but it does add humidity. I have to run a dehumidifier anyway with 20 tanks running so its a wash. As you can see there are many varibles and lots of choices and other thoughts as in heat rises etc etc etc.
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Key point....If your worried about hobby cost than you have too much. If your concerned of cost good chance your not doing the best you can for what you have.