I have a three-foot American Alligator that is outgrowing it's 150 gallon tank. I am planning on building a pool like enclosure for it; however, I have a problem. I live in WV and due to the cold winters will have a problem keeping it outside. I don't have much room in the house for anything large scale, but do have many smaller building outside. My question is how would I warm its enclosure. These buildings are not insulated, so I was thinking of covering it with plastic to form a sort of greenhouse and putting a gas stove inside since I get free gas for warmth and a heater to warm the water. Will this be suffice for keeping the enclosure warm in the winter, or would I need something more insulated? Any help would be appreciated, including any suggestions on books or other sites on the subject. Thanks.
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Building a gator tank
Replies (3)
Instead of using a space heater to heat the air (and risking carbon monoxide problems), why not get a gas water heater and circulate warm water into the pond. A greenhouse cover will trap enough heat inside on cloudy days and may need to be vented on warmer, sunny winter days.
I've kept my bigger gators outside this way here in USDA zone 7 for several years. Last winter I didn't even use the greenhouse cover on the largest pair, just the hot water, and they did fine. They stay in the water on the coldest days and come out and bask on sunny days. I think I have a picture somewhere of one of them basking with some snow on the ground nearby.
When you say “gas water heater,” are you referring to the gas water heaters used in homes, or are you referring to something designed especially for heating ponds? Would you be willing to explain how you have you set-up? For lighting I have a 250watt HPS bulb, would this be suffice? Thanks again!
>>When you say “gas water heater,” are you referring to the gas water heaters used in homes
Exactly. In my situation, I just hook directly into the building's hot water and run a trickle into the ponds. I use a hot water certified garden hose insulated with foam pipe wrap.
You could save water by recirculating the pond water through a dedicated water heater with a small pump. Be sure to add a pre-filter to prevent debris from entering the heater.
I believe the St. Louis Zoo uses (or used) a similar system to keep their alligators outdoors all winter and they are in USDA zone 6a, with an average minimum low temperature -10 and -5 F.
