what size fish tank heater?

[Berty]

Hi, can anyone recommend what size storage container and what watt fish tank heater I should use for a 25l fermenting bucket. I have read contradictory article on the net. We are starting to get frosts in my neck of the woods so think a trip to wilko's on fri is necessary for the container. My fermenting bucket has a tap on it- does that matter?

 

[Wardy]

Hi, can anyone recommend what size storage container and what watt fish tank heater I should use for a 25l fermenting bucket. I have read contradictory article on the net. We are starting to get frosts in my neck of the woods so think a trip to wilko's on fri is necessary for the container. My fermenting bucket has a tap on it- does that matter?

This is what I've used 3 times with successful brews. I put it inside the FV rather than in a water bath. During fermentation the activity mixes the brew constantly and although there is more activity around the heater there is activity all over and it kept the temperature at 21 C when ambient temperature was varied between 15 and 18 C. My FV has a tap too which is why I do it this way. It could possibly be better using a bath but there would be more liquid to heat in that case and I'm not sure how you would get even temperature distribution unless you used a pump to circulate the water. I know others do it that way so they could give more information on how effective it is. My opinion is an insulated FV with a heater inside is more efficient than a water bath that would be very inefficient.
View attachment uploadfromtaptalk1444839395443.jpg

 

[ericmark]

I don't use a fish tank heater but a heater under the fermentor so some heat must be lost. So my heater is 18W thermostat controlled and it has never gone below set temperature so from my experience 18W is ample.

 

[Toredan]

Fish tank heaters have built in thermostats (expanding metal, not fail-safe btw) that keep the water temp where you twiddle the stick to. The 25L ones from a certain-shop-that-has-a-clownfish-for-a-mascot (not sure of mentioning shops here) are made by interpet and have pretty good reputation for not sticking on and boiling stuff. That being said I'd go for the lowest possible wattage because if it did stick on and you stuck a 400L heater in a 25L bucket it would boil dry! I use a 400w on my 525L marine tank to keep it at 25 degrees heheh.

 

[baggybill]

I use cheap immersion heaters from Amazon, directly in the FV, with no issues.

Well, apart from the temperature controller on top being a bit out e.g. set it to 22', brew will be at 20'. I knew this from the reviews though...

Mines are the 50W version:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B011G5BB8W/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Toredan]

Also keep in mind that if you're going to be dropping it into the FV, and not a bath outside the FV, make sure you're not placing it in too hot of water. If they're faulty they can explode leaving your brew full of glass. :thumb:

 

[Redron]

Bump, for reference....

 

[Berty]

Thanks for advice. Do you get any problems/issues putting heater directly in f.v? I take it you can't use an airlock then? Would a 25w heater be enough for a 25l f.v?

 

[baggybill]

I use an air lock no problem. Fitted over to the side a bit:

 

[Berty]

Cheers for help. What watt is your heater? How do you seal it in the bung properly?

 

[Berty]

That looks a tidy setup. How do you get a tightseal on the bung? Do you use a gromit?

 

[Berty]

Would a 25w heater be enough for a 25l f.v?

 

[HisDudeness]

Would a 25w heater be enough for a 25l f.v?

Should be fine but it does depend on what the ambient temperature will be wherever you have the FV. Anywhere indoors will be fine but if you are in a unheated shed or garage in winter you may also need to insulate the outside of the FV or at least throw a blanket over it

 

[Wardy]

Would a 25w heater be enough for a 25l f.v?

It depends on your average ambient temperature. If the lowest temperature is no less than 15 C then yes. Mine is 25W and does the job.
By the way, I've never used an airlock with my brews and never had a problem? I just put the heater in and secure the FV lid all way round except where the power lead goes in.