Tank placement (window/heater)

[jnelson]

In the interest of re-doing my living room a bit, I'm going to move my tank over by my window and the heater below it.

The heater is one of those old-style radiators but it is built into the wall and covered by a grate. The heater will be about 3-4" away from one side of the tank.

The window is covered by thermal blinds that can be closed during the day if need be. It is facing westward so it will get the afternoon sun, but with the blinds closed, I am hoping it will not be an issue.

This could be a silly question, but am I likely to face big issues with overheating in the tank? Just want to hear from anyone else who might have their tanks in similar locations.

 

[INNEED]

def if u not gonna have a chiller pumping then its def gonna be an issue

 

[KathyC]

I wouldn't worry too much if the tank has a painted back as that will block most of the sun, and you mentioned the shade.
As far as the heat - you said it is next to the tank and not directly behind it, so that should be ok as the 'heat' should rise past the tank. You might want to close off the area between the radiator and the stand so the heat can't settle in there.

Ideally - if you could possibly find a different location, that would be better.

How do you keep the tank cool in the summer currently?

I'd be more concerned if you live in one of those apartments where they pump WAY too much heat into the building and people have to keep their windows open even during the winter

 

[thirty5]

I would agree with Kathy and try to find a new spot for the tank. The "radiators" are designed so that they stay hot for a long time to keep heating after the heat has turned off.

Even though it is next to the tank the heat is going to radiate to the sides. If you were 3-4 feet away I would say not too bad. But 3-4 inches I would try to avoid if possible.

 

[jnelson]

You're right, I don't control my own heat but my building stays fairly comfortable in the winter. In the summer, my tank stays cool on its own without a chiller, but I do keep the glass tops off and I end up topping off with fresh water more often.

The tank will actually be against a wall without a heater (so it will be perpendicular to the wall WITH the heater). It will be going into a corner and it will be in close proximity to the heater, so that's why I'm concerned. I'll keep rethinking my living room layout though and I'll see if there's another way I can make this work.

 

[thirty5]

The perpendicular might be worse to be honest. The heat might be stuck in the corner...

 

[INNEED]

Hummm can u shut off ur heater....there should be a knob next to the heater....

 

[thirty5]

Hummm can u shut off ur heater....there should be a knob next to the heater....

Who needs heat in the winter?? LOL

 

[INNEED]

True but shut off the heat if the tank temp gets to high duh!!!!!!! Lol plus i dont think he sleeps in the same room as his fish tank....

 

[thirty5]

True but shut off the heat if the tank temp gets to high duh!!!!!!! Lol plus i dont think he sleeps in the same room as his fish tank....

:duh:

I would not mess with the controls on a radiator... If it is older turning it may actual screw it up and it may start to leak.

Not sure of the setup, but I would not mess with it, especially turning it on and off all the time.

Is it steam heat or hot water????

 

[jnelson]

Hot water, so yeah, I'd rather not mess with it if I can avoid it.

Back to the drawing board for re-locating the tank, haha.