Rocketman's New Dual 175g Bullnose Build Thread

My next project, and I'm not joking about this, is to install gas heat for my system. Details to come.

All driven by the power bill and the fact that I've currently got 1000 watts of heaters running continuously.

 

This should be interesting and enlightening !...looking forward..

E

 

Here is the diagram showing my idea for the gas heat of the aquarium. The main components are:

- Small Gas Tankless Water Heater
- ~240 gph pump
- Temperature Controller/Probe
- Titanium Coil/Heat Exchanger

I've found a 77,000 BTU gas tankless water heater for $250. These things work by turning on when they detect flow through them. I've already got the temp controller. The idea is:

1) When the temp drops below the setting in the temp controller, the controller applies power to the pump (instead of applying it to an electric heater as it normally would).

2) The pump pulls water from the reservoir and pushes it through the tankless heater which turns on and heats the water.

3) Hot water is pumped through the titanium coil in the sump which heats the water. The water then returns to the reservoir.

4) When the temperature returns to the controller setting, the power is removed from the pump, water stops flowing and the tankless heater turns off.

Simple

I'd probably build in a fail-safe by having my Apex remove power from the temp controller if the temperature exceeds a certain value.

 

That looks like a pretty solid plan/design.

 

Looks really cool. Is there any risk to having the tankless unit it a high humidity/high salt environment? Corrosion, etc? Do you need to get a special unit to handle that?

 

Definitely a valid question. I'll have to look at the unit I'm considering and what the humidity is in the room now. I can always go with an external unit, but those are more expensive.

 

Great idea, solid looking design

 

those fish look gorgeous! That purple tang is amazing! I saw a black tang at the last store I visited which was cool but I really like the purple and gold combo! It's the colors of both my high school and colleges

 

Rocket your design looks very well thought out as usual!!

 

Gas powered or electric? I found a LP one on amazon for $90.