[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Aquatic Plants Digest V3 #1147

Hey Adam,

> I don't like the idea of
>substrate heating cables because having live wires in my tank just doesn't
>seem like the safest thing in the world.
     Substrate heating cables operate at a safe voltage. (24 volts or less)
High quality cables like Dupla are sealed in a thick silicone coating to 
prevent any
current from flowing through the water.  Even if the cables were damaged in 
some
way, (unlikely because they seem pretty durable.  They are as thick as a 
spark plug
cable)  you and the fish are safe from any electrical shock because of the 
low operating voltage.  

> Ihave read up on the udea of using
>a ugf with a heater in the uplift tubes to destibute the heat. I was
>confused about this alternative because I failed to see why the heat goes
>down into the subtrate instead of merely going out up the tube. 
     Here's one problem with that idea:  Water doesn't travel through the 
substrate
evenly across the entire bottom when using a ugf.  The German researchers 
Horst
and Kipper proved this by studying water movement created by ugf's.  (using 
dye)
     Another problem with the above idea:  It is difficult to achieve a slow, 
reliable flow
through the substrate with a ugf or reverse - flow ugf.  

>Are there
>any other ways of heating the subtrate that are generally accepted?
     None that have been proven.  George Booth claims it helps his tank/s to 
be
"more stable".  (In his words)  If you want to try heating cables, Dupla is 
the best
way to go.  Here's a link to a website that sells heating cables.  (should be 
cheaper
than Dupla) 
<A HREF="http://www.rootslipper.com/3why_nof.htm">The benefits of substrate 
heating in the fres...</A>
     Some guy posted to the APD a few months ago and claimed that he could get
Dupla products for anyone in the USA or Canada.  That post should be in the 
archives
if you are interested.   
     There are plans to build heating cables at the krib.  (Or possible in 
the APD archives, or at George Booth's site.  I can't remember which but I 
can dig that info off
of my hard drive if you're interested.)  If you build your own cables I 
highly recommend
the silicone - insulated wires.

hope this helps,
Andrew