DIY Heater for larger reef systems

[gtbarsi]

thanks for sharing this info I will contact them to find out if this material is titanium and what would be the cost...

Any luck? What have you decided on?

 

[ravi197699]

I will be going with my original design since it is easier to find all the parts. I am not able to fine titanium coil tube that I can use or heat exchanger from chiller. I will have to go with the the heat exchanger shown in the picture since it is available. I am waiting for gas company to install my gas boiler and heating unit. I will post pictures when I start this project.

 

[iani]

As mentioned by someone earlier you may want to run the pex tubing directly into the sump. I know people have done this in the past. I just put a radiant heat system in my house, so I did a lot of research on this subject.

There are other things needed as well. You need an air seperator, fill valve/back flow preventer, mixing valve (to control temp to heat exchanger/pex in sump), and expansion tank. You also possibly may need two pumps, one to act as a system loop pump and the other lower flow to circulate water to the heat exchanger/pex in sump. With too high of flow to a heat exchanger you may not get the change in temperature needed for the system to work properly. Also the on demand unit needs to be able to do radiant heat per the manufactures specs. Not all units can be used in this fashion. Plumbing should be done in copper prior to the heat exchanger/pex in sump. All plumbing should be insulated as well.

 

[ravi197699]

Thanks for your input ianiwane, While plumber will be working on boiler and my heat unit, I will have them install this unit on the wall as well and have them install everything all the parts to and from heat exchanger. All I will have to do is install heat exchanger and plumbing from my sump to heatexchanger. So you suggest that I use pex for that purpose? I don't like the coil method since it was clutter in sump this is the only reason I am going with this type heatexchanger. It is easier to use and can be mounted on the wall. Please let me know if I am missing anything.

 

[alan.reef]

bump Ravi. do you have update and picture to share?

 

[Backwoods Reefs]

How did this work out for you? Any pictures im in the process of trying this mysef

 

[ravi197699]

hello guys tank is running, I have been posting pictures and updates on my tank in my build thread, in regards to heater it has been working fine with no issues, it is controlled by finnex controller and finnex controller is connected to apex just for redundancy. but I am very happy with outcome and it is very cost effective, just 1 point, i decided to use Taco Stainless steel housing pump which was more expensive than other pumps just because it is safer for potable water.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/s...m-reef-tank-build.384579/page-13#post-5758452