Fish Tank Heaters

[Aarondapastyman]

I'm considering using my 23L FV as a water bath for a smaller 5L FV as I'll be brewing 5L batches from now on. But I don't know where to start with fish tank heaters to maintain a steady temp?

I was considering a Muntons heat pad but would a fish tank heater be a better alternative? Are there any with adjustable ranges so you can lower/raise temperature as needed?

Nooby questions might stop eventually...:lol::lol:

 

[terrym]

I use a 50w heater in my water bath set up kept in the garage and it seems to cope. If you cover with a blanket, some bubble wrap or some old towels for insulation that will keep things cosy and reduce the load on the heater

 

[AdeDunn]

As an aquarium keeper, I can tell you that MOST have an adjustable thermostat on them. You can also buy heaters without a thermostat, designed to connect to an external stat, including ones made of stainless steel or titanium (the titanium ones are designed for salt water use, as steel corrodes when exposed to salt long term) for those that way inclined. :lol:

Stay away from the pre-set low wattage ones though, they tend to be set to 24/25 degrees Celsius, which would be a bit on the high side for most brews I should think.

 

[Aarondapastyman]

As an aquarium keeper, I can tell you that MOST have an adjustable thermostat on them. You can also buy heaters without a thermostat, designed to connect to an external stat, including ones made of stainless steel or titanium (the titanium ones are designed for salt water use, as steel corrodes when exposed to salt long term) for those that way inclined. :lol:

Stay away from the pre-set low wattage ones though, they tend to be set to 24/25 degrees Celsius, which would be a bit on the high side for most brews I should think.

Awesome thanks. Is there a go to piece of kit for something like this? I was considering an Inkbird but not really knowing what I'm looking for is a dilemma.

 

[Fil]

just test the temp setting accuracy in a bucket of water with a thermometer for a day or so before you commit a brew to it

 

[AdeDunn]

Depends, are you wanting heating AND cooling? If so then sure, an Inkbird seems to be the go to controller. If you are just wanting heating though, a good (rather than generic) aquarium heaterstat will give you good control, I've found both the Eheim heaters (these have a calibration dial in addition to the temperature setting, so you can use a thermometer to make sure it's set right) and the AquaEL Gold range pretty good (Interpet Delta therms I tend to find fail in the on position, but seem to be the ones on sale in your local chain pet store.... Got up to a tank of dead fish from one once.).

Keep in mind this is from the perspective of using them in aquariums. Have a nose at

, some good ideas there. I will mention though, the Hydom heaters in the pic over there have a bad rep on the aquarium side.

 

[IainM]

I have a brew fridge now but the 75W version of this was the cheapest I could find when I was using a water bucket and I never had a problem with it: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B011G5B31W/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Aarondapastyman]

Awesome thanks guys.

Quick thought, for a 5L FV would a 25w heater do the trick? Or better to err on the safe side with 75w?

 

[terrym]

I have one of these.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hidom-Sub...hash=item3a7cda2901:m:mV1__uwLjb5eWawXJQs0hTg
There are others similar on ebay.
For the extra pence difference between a 25w and 50w version I know what I would be doing.
And mine has a thermostat adjustment, but you will need to set it up with water in your FV before use with beer because the adjustment settings are not very accurate. More here
How to Set up a Water Bath for your FV - The HomeBrew Forum

 

[Honk]

I use a 25w all the time for 23litre brews it's in the kitchen though, I'd probably want something bigger if out in the garage but kept the trug of water it sits in nicely up to temperature through last winter.

 

[Dexter101]

On a side note with these, do people find them worthwhile financially energy wise?

Looking at having a set up in my garage after Christmas when I can brew larger amounts and was going to make an insulated cupboard with trug in.