Heat issue!

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jdauby09
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Heat issue!

Post by jdauby09 » Mon Jul 24, 2017 3:29 pm

Since the summer heat we had to put our window ac unit fairly close to my tank and my temp isn't wanting to warm enough. I have an ultratherm heater across the back with a thermostat attached but it's not insulated. What is the best cheap way to insulate it? I have access to sheets of cardboard, if I can use that. I was thinking aluminum foil also...please help!

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jdauby09
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Re: Heat issue!

Post by jdauby09 » Mon Jul 24, 2017 3:31 pm

Here is a pic of tankImage

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C_fiesta
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Re: Heat issue!

Post by C_fiesta » Mon Jul 24, 2017 3:32 pm

What's the temperature at? I had the same issue, I used a thin sheet of aluminum over the heater on the back to give my tank a little boost. You can start with the aluminum and then if it's not enough, put the cardboard over that!

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jdauby09
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Re: Heat issue!

Post by jdauby09 » Mon Jul 24, 2017 3:37 pm

I just saw it that it's 73! We just got back from vacation yesterday and my sister stayed and wasn't watching it...I need to do something asap but am broke right now...

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daws409
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Re: Heat issue!

Post by daws409 » Mon Jul 24, 2017 4:59 pm

I just used cardboard to insulate mine.... You can use layers of tin foil and cardboard/styrafoam

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jdauby09
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Re: Heat issue!

Post by jdauby09 » Mon Jul 24, 2017 5:00 pm

Ok what's the best way to attach it? Duct tape?

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daws409
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Re: Heat issue!

Post by daws409 » Mon Jul 24, 2017 5:27 pm

I used packaging tape... Same thing as duck tape

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GotButterflies
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Re: Heat issue!

Post by GotButterflies » Mon Jul 24, 2017 6:42 pm

Aluminum foil, shiny side facing inside of the tank. Then use cardboard, or styrofoam. You can attach with packaging tape, regular tape, duct tape.

You can also purchase product called Reflectix. It looks like car sunshade material. $15 large roll at lowes/Home Depot. Can hang the same way or use Reflectix tape. Reflectix is reusable year after year.


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jdauby09
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Re: Heat issue!

Post by jdauby09 » Mon Jul 24, 2017 9:44 pm

My husband ended up having that aluminum foil bubble wrap so I taped that to the entire back wall. Do I bring temp up slowly or asap?

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Re: Heat issue!

Post by GotButterflies » Mon Jul 24, 2017 10:37 pm

Great! It will bring temperature up gradually. Just make sure your temperature doesn't get too hot.

There are products you can buy to help you with that- but it's up to you! You can buy a thermostat or a rheostat


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jdauby09
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Re: Heat issue!

Post by jdauby09 » Tue Jul 25, 2017 4:23 am

I have a thermostat in there...the temp is back up to 81 this morning without the ac running...I will check it when I get home this afternoon and hopefully it will stay in the 80s. Thanks everyone for all the help!

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jdauby09
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Re: Heat issue!

Post by jdauby09 » Wed Jul 26, 2017 10:46 pm

Ok so I put 1 layer of that aluminum foil bubble wrap on and it had raised to upper 70s but not where I am wanting would the next step be cardboard or go around sides

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Re: Heat issue!

Post by GotButterflies » Thu Jul 27, 2017 8:40 am

I've never heard of bubble wrap. I recommend aluminum foil, shiny side facing crabitat then cardboard or styrofoam. You can do layers of that. Or... you can purchase a product called Reflectix. It looks like the old foldable car shades. A huge Silver roll of it is around $15 at lowes, Home Depot. Hang up with Reflectix tape, duct tape or packaging tape.


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C_fiesta
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Re: Heat issue!

Post by C_fiesta » Thu Jul 27, 2017 9:20 am

jdauby09 wrote:Ok so I put 1 layer of that aluminum foil bubble wrap on and it had raised to upper 70s but not where I am wanting would the next step be cardboard or go around sides

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I think the bubble wrap would cause the heat to just heat up the air in the bubbles without transferring it to the tank. Less air between the insulation, heat mat, and tank the better. We don't want to heat the air on the outside of the tank, rather the inside!

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Topic author
jdauby09
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Re: Heat issue!

Post by jdauby09 » Thu Jul 27, 2017 12:10 pm

Ok I will pull that down and do the aluminum foil layer first then cardboard for now and try that....thanks

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