Freshwater Madness
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.



 
RegisterHomeSearchLatest imagesLog inFWMadnessGallery
Similar topics

 

 Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater.

Go down 
4 posters
AuthorMessage
saint_felony
The Turtle Whisperer
saint_felony


Posts : 1930


Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater. Empty
PostSubject: Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater.   Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater. EmptyTue Feb 03, 2009 3:13 pm

Next to my lowes is a mattress store, that I need to walk past to get to any of the other stores in the shopping center. I noticed the mattress store was having a sale on waterbeds, and had a big sign up about heated waterbeds.

I made a quick pit stop in to see what they use to heat them. Waterbed heaters are just like under the tank reptile heaters only in giant size. They had one that was 2 foot by 3 foot and 400W digital model, so I grabbed it, thinking I could use it in the new 5x3x3 pond I was building and keep it heated without something in the water.

I built up the bottom of the pond, so it wasn't sitting near directly on the floor, since that area of the floor has no subflooring or carpet. I put down a 5x3 1/2 plywood base, and stuck the waterbed heater on top. I drilled a small hole for the wires to run out and ran the digital thermostat up and mounted it on top of the post.

Talking to the mattress store guy, average waterbeds are 150 to 200 gallons, so I knew I was pushing it a little. (5x3x3 is 350g) but setting the thermostat, and then testing it with a thermometer, it was only off by two degrees. The default setting for the heater was 95, so I'm guessing people keep water beds much hotter, which is why the temperature wasn't that far off.

There seems to be less cold spots than with a heater in the filter or a sump, since it covers such a wide area, however replacing it if it fails will be a major problem.
Back to top Go down
Mostlycichlids
Cichlid Specialist
Mostlycichlids


Male Posts : 4566

Age : 44
Location : New Mexico USA
Favorite Fish : Jaguar Cichlid

Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater. Empty
PostSubject: Re: Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater.   Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater. EmptyTue Feb 03, 2009 6:46 pm

Good pick up. I have always thought about doing that if I ever get around to building a pond. As far as replacing if you have a failure you dont....you go with something else...good luck, hope it works out for you.
Back to top Go down
http://www.freshwatermadness.com
1nevrkwitz
Extraordinary Member
1nevrkwitz


Male Posts : 660

Age : 54
Location : Missouri
Humor : I find humor, amusing.
Favorite Fish : Jack Dempsey

Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater. Empty
PostSubject: Re: Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater.   Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater. EmptyTue Feb 03, 2009 6:53 pm

Good idea saint_felony! Hope it works out well for ya.
Back to top Go down
dirtydawg10
Global Moderator
dirtydawg10


Male Posts : 3098

Age : 51
Location : Connecticut
Favorite Fish : Severum

Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater. Empty
PostSubject: Re: Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater.   Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater. EmptyTue Feb 03, 2009 8:39 pm

Cool idea!
Back to top Go down
saint_felony
The Turtle Whisperer
saint_felony


Posts : 1930


Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater. Empty
PostSubject: Re: Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater.   Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater. EmptyTue Feb 03, 2009 10:06 pm

The mattress store guy said those heaters usually outlive the mattresses. Only thing he's seen kill them is if they're run in the open.

He did think I was nuts though. Smile
Back to top Go down
Sponsored content





Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater. Empty
PostSubject: Re: Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater.   Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater. Empty

Back to top Go down
 
Indoor Pond Heating with a water bed heater.
Back to top 
Page 1 of 1
 Similar topics
-
» Heater
» Damn heater!!
» pond section?

Permissions in this forum:You cannot reply to topics in this forum
Freshwater Madness :: Tanks Set Up, Maintnance, and Equipment :: DIY-
Jump to: