Winterized stock tank..

[marlin08]

Ok, all you northern fellas try not to bust a gut laughing but I wanted to share pictures of my 150g "winterized" stock tank :)

I do live in the SE US but our winter temps are crazy and do get down in the teens a couple of times each winter but never really stay cold enough consistently to let fish safely hibernate for any period of time....(daytime temps can often spike 30 degrees higher than nighttime...)

I've got a 250w stealth heater ( actually 2, just in case, but 1 has yet to be used) that only has to come on if the outside temps are in the 40's or below. This keeps the lowest temps in the mid to upper 60's in the tank at night and during the day they are frequently still in the 70's without the heater.

I used a water heater "blanket" around the sides (approx $10) a 4x8 piece of foam floor underlayment ($7) as a "wind shield" ( may be overkill, :youtellme:) and $3 for a piece of clear poly to stick on the lattice top (that I use year round without the plastic) with industrial velcro.
For a "girl", I don't think it's a 1/2 bad job, LOL!!
Wynn

I've still got good algae and duckweed growing, we'll see how long that lasts.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn50/slewpy01/150gstocktankinsulation1009/IMG_2902.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn50/slewpy01/150gstocktankinsulation1009/IMG_2910.jpg

[opera]

good job. I think it is very neat.

Do you put airpump (aeratation) inside your stock tank?

Where do you get the water heater "blanket"?:youtellme:

Thanks,
Opera

[marlin08]

Yes, I have a PondMaster 1500 filter that I shortened the fountain on so it would be below the level of the sides so the top could go on during the cold snaps.
I also have a powerhead to help with aeration.
The water heater blanket comes from Lowe's in the builder's section. I had to ask a couple of people before I found someone who knew what they were and where they were in the store.

[OldMarine]

Hi Marlin08,

I have 365 gallon inground pond and last year I put a 150 watt submersible aqaurium heater in my filter reservor, and it worked quite well. There were nights when the temps dropped down into the teens, and my pond water did not freeze.

This year I have upgraded to a 300 watt heater, and it seems to be keeping the water temps more stable.

:)

[BruceP]

Ok, we wont laugh,,,,, well, maybe a little :lair:
Seriously,,, that looks good and should to it for you... not bad for a 'girl' LOL

[marlin08]

good job. I think it is very neat.

Do you put airpump (aeratation) inside your stock tank?

Where do you get the water heater "blanket"?:youtellme:

Thanks,
Opera

Thank you, Opera. So far, so good...
I have a pondmaster 1500 pump/filter that came with a fountain. I modified the fountain so that it is shorter and just barely clears the water . This way, I could put the plastic on the lattice for the top.
The water heater insulation "blanket" came from Lowe's. I had to ask for it, though and the first guy didn't know what it was so find someone who is older and knowledgable, LOL!!
They used to be a lot more common when hot water heaters were in crawl spaces and outdoor utility rooms, etc.