Which fish tank heater?

[grotzilla]

Hey guys,

Now the colder months are upon us I need a way to keep my fermentation temps in the garage. I think easiest way will be the trug and heater method.

Can anyone recommend a heater? Also I take it these aren't expensive to run as it's the same principle as an immersion heater? Just bought my 1st home so trying to keep bills as low as possible!

Thanks

Richard

[Jocky]

I've not used one myself, but the Electrim 75 immersion heater is sold as a home brew heater (it might originally be a fish tank heater... I don't know). Sterilisable, submersible and has a thermostat built in.
http://www.brewuk.co.uk/immersion-heater.html

100 watts, so it won't cost the earth to run when it does kick in, but equally capable of producing quite a lot of heat if required.

I'm looking at using one of these to keep my fermenter up to temperature while outdoors (protected from rain mind).

[ajclarkson]

I always went with a 50w fish tank heater in a tub of water, with FV stood in that.

Benefits of not having to sanitise something else before putting it in, no ruined beer if the casing was to crack or anything.

[grotzilla]

Any links or shall I just pop down to my local garden centre?

[ajclarkson]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aquarium-Heater ... ank+heater

That looks very much like the ones I used before I got a fridge sorted.

One thing I will say is whatever heater you get, check the thermostat on them against a known thermometer, one of mine was reading 2 degrees high.

[NobbyIPA]

pm'ed yu

[grotzilla]

Replied

Thanks for all the help guys!