<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9231002#post9231002 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ediaz
Anderson i don't use UV in brood stock just in larval.
Since you guys are all for research:
Run 2 tanks from the same system, one with normal flow and one with just a trickle, then check wich one will be colder.
My BS system has 1000gal of water, i went from a pump that drew 160 watts to a pump that draws 7 amps and one of my heaters rarely is on my bill was 150 less the next month.
Now is back up again since I installed and industrial size dehumidifier and ozonizer.
Ed
7 amps is 770 watts.
That's one big pump right there. Depending on the model and how it is plumbed, that's alot of heat going into your system. I don't doubt your heaters run less at all.
You are right though.
IF you take two tanks full of water, and you are only heating one, then you are going to have to mix those two tanks of water by a certain amount if you want to keep them both at a specific temperature.
I suppose it really depends on a couple of things - how quickly you are losing heat out of the display tank is the key. If it loses heat quickly, then you will need to turnover that water more often.
Since you bring it up though Ed, you know in a system as large as yours, it might be worth insulating all of your tanks and sumps, as it would help keeping the heat in or out depending on season. That could amount to a considerable savings at the end of the year.
I also saw a post from someone (I think it was in here) that said they found by adjusting the room temperature bya couple of degrees that they saw a significant savings at the end of the year because the heaters ran less. As it turns out, it's cheaper to heat/cool the room than it is to directly heat/cool the water.
On a commercial scale, this is important. That 7amp pump.. 770watts.. running 24 hours... At the end of the month, that thing is expensive man. wow..
**Edit**
If your main reason for the big pump is heat loss from your tanks, have you considered other options? I mean, the only thing that is sucking heat out of your system is the air temp in the room.. raise your air temp bya couple of degrees and your heater won't turn on at all. Raise it by a couple of more degrees, and you might be able to go back to the smaller pump.. Plus that would mean less A/C in the summer time.
It would be interesting to see which is more cost effective...