Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We have been using solar heaters with pretty good success this year but given our unseasonably cold weather and cloudy days I decided to look for more dependable heating methods. I wanted something portable and highly effective. We did not want to put gas lines and propane tanks around the croc enclosures for sake of appearance so we found the below. I will say the extent to which these pool heaters work has amazed me. We see a 10-15 degree rise in water temperature within a 1200 gallon pool in 1 HR! The unit is completely portable and has no moving or electrical parts.

I simply cannot recommend it enough. We haven't even pushed the limits of this thing yet.

Happy New Year crocophiles!

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CDieter
'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'

Chris,

What have the temps been like, both air and water? I flew to Houston on my way to Costa Rican on November 30th and it was freezing in Houston when I got there (I even left my jacket in NJ because it was 60 degrees here when I left!)

You mention you didn't want a gas heater, but is that in fact a portable gas heater? It looks more like a wood burning pellet stove!!

Regards
Matt Harris

Rio Sierpe Croc Survey 2006

>>Chris,

Air temperature we have been pretty variable from 45-75. Usually we have a cold snap for 24-48hrs and then back up to 70. Not this year. We have stayed cold for alot longer while still avoiding any really cold days(as in 20 degrees or lower). I had ice on my windshield this morning.

All the Niles are up basking right now and it's noon.

We had water temps drift into the 50's after a hard cold rain. That was enough for me to change tactics. The solar is great on sunny days but cold rain, especially gulf coast rain, just overwhelms it's ability.

Your very observant Matt! The pool heater is in fact a wood burning swimming pool heater. All I can say is that it has reduced my stress level to zero. It works amazingly well. Like I said we heat 1200 gallon pools 10-15 degrees per hour. The pools that had been in the 50's are now in the 70's and 80's. No gas lines, no eletrician, we where heating water within minutes of it's arrival.
website

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CDieter
'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'

Would that work in an inclosed envirnment like a green house made of plastic sheeting or dose it cose too much heat that would end up melting the film even with a chimney installed??I love the idea of no electricity always a chans wher I live of power outages,with temps of 0 below that can be a problem.THANKS