Aquarium Insulation

[moonraker]

I have a 210 imperial gallon tank in my shed. In the winter I am effectively heating a 210 gallon tank of water without any insulation. With energy prices on the up, I am considering insulating the tank

I am thinking of making a shallow sealed box with the same area as the top of the tank, and filling it with loft insulation. I think you can also get insulation sealed in plastic which I could tape to the blindsides of the tank.

I just wonder if anyone has any experience or suggestions in this respect

Thanks in advance, Kevin

 

[BigIan]

what i would recomend is Kingspan its much easyer to use than rock wool (loft insulation) i`m not to sure on the price but i`m pretty sure it has a higher insulation rating than loft insulation.

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

Be careful it does not overheat your light fittings and cause them to melt or maybe catch fire in the top of the tank

 

[scubadoo]

what i would recomend is Kingspan its much easyer to use than rock wool (loft insulation) i`m not to sure on the price but i`m pretty sure it has a higher insulation rating than loft insulation.

Correct Ian

Kingspan or other polyeurathane insulation boards have a much higher insulation (U) value than rockwool. they are rigid boards that can be bought in varying thickness up to abou 100mm thick. typically 100mm of Kingspan or Celotex or equivalent will provide as much insulation as 300mm of rockwool. they can easily be cut using a long bladed craft knife or similar.

Another option would be to use polystyrene boards - cheaper than polyeurathane and easy to work with too. typically Polystyrene is about twice as insulating as rockwool of the equivalent thickness.

You can also buy composite boards which is rigid insulation (polyeurathan or polystyrene) bonded to plasterboard which would afford some protection to the outer face of the tank enclosure if you plan to construct sides etc.

The one thing to remember is that the insulation is only really as good as the weakest point - ie try to avoid gaps etc. where heat exchange can occur.

 

[BigIan]

to be fair your probably better insulating the entire shed....

then it gives you some where to start home bre beer and gives you an excuse to get away from the other half while your "working"

The one thing to remember is that the insulation is only really as good as the weakest point - ie try to avoid gaps etc. where heat exchange can occur.

you can get a foil tape too seal these joints its not all that expencive and also make great reflectors for lights

 

[scubadoo]

Be careful it does not overheat your light fittings and cause them to melt or maybe catch fire in the top of the tank

One good thing about rockwool though is that it is made from - you guessed it - ROCK !

Therefore it will not burn (in any conditions you would normally find at home).
In fact it is used as a fire retardant barrier in loft spaces etc.

 

[BigIan]

Be careful it does not overheat your light fittings and cause them to melt or maybe catch fire in the top of the tank

One good thing about rockwool though is that it is made from - you guessed it - ROCK !

Therefore it will not burn (in any conditions you would normally find at home).
In fact it is used as a fire retardant barrier in loft spaces etc.

it is however REALLY REALLY REALLY ichy and also picks up lots of duct ect and if it gets damp stinks to high heaven

 

[scubadoo]

it is however REALLY REALLY REALLY ichy and also picks up lots of duct ect and if it gets damp stinks to high heaven

Agreed

 

[moonraker]

Thanks for the leads.

In fact I work/hide from the family in the shed during the day when it is heated. Its at night when the temperature drops that the real cost occurs. We are on an exposed hill. (I have to run 2 big heaters in the tank). I'll probably insulate the shed roof as part of the process.

I have emailed Kingspan for suggestion on exactly which of their product(s) would be most suitable.

I'll post any advice or suggestion that they give as I suspect more and more of us are looking nervously at the way electricity prices are going.

Kevin

 

[BigIan]

i doubt king span will sell you their product direct, there are many other firms that make the smae sort of product and probbaly sell for less, try your local builders merchants ect for prices, shop around as they are always trying to under cut each other

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

Be careful it does not overheat your light fittings and cause them to melt or maybe catch fire in the top of the tank

One good thing about rockwool though is that it is made from - you guessed it - ROCK !

Therefore it will not burn (in any conditions you would normally find at home).
In fact it is used as a fire retardant barrier in loft spaces etc.

Made from Rock??? Its actually made of glass fibre quilt hence the reason it itches when touched. I should know as Im a structural surveyor.
My comment about catching fire if you read my post was related to his light fittings and not the rockwool itself. It is such a good insulator his light fittings/starter pack may overheat if they are totally enclosed in the stuff.
Ian is right the stuff goes really manky when wet also.

 

[BigIan]

yep its made of spun glass...

Like i said the best option would be to insulate the entire shed....

 

[scubadoo]

Made from Rock??? Its actually made of glass fibre quilt hence the reason it itches when touched. I should know as Im a structural surveyor.
My comment about catching fire if you read my post was related to his light fittings and not the rockwool itself. It is such a good insulator his light fittings/starter pack may overheat if they are totally enclosed in the stuff.
Ian is right the stuff goes really manky when wet also.

Ummm well actually yes it is made from rock.

There is glass fibre insulation which is one thing, but rockwool which is a mineral wool insulation is another completely.

I'm an architect, I specify it on almost every job, and I've been around Rockwool's manufacturing plant in Pencoed - go on look it up I dare ya!

edit:
Raw material is volcanic diabase rock - one of the earth's most abundant materials.

 

[BigIan]

architect???

and i was just beginning to like you......

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

Architects what do they know...they cant make a building stand up without a Structural Engineer
Pretty pictures and no idea how it will ever stand up