Freezing temperature and storage tanks? (1 Viewer)

[gregg]

I have two 100 gallon storage tanks in my backyard full of ro water and one with salt water.

my question is, if I lower the water level and they freeze will it rupture the tank or use the empty space to expand?

 

[TooMuchDog]

Water expands by around 10% when frozen. So if it were me I'd probably drain around 15-20 gallons just to be safe but you should be fine.

 

[davidrod8]

This will be a very interesting conversation. As many of you know, my whole aquarium sits outside on the patio. Not sure what to expect in the coming days. For now I have raised the temperature in the heaters (currently have 2100W total) I also went ahead and switch 2 out of the 3 lids from mesh to acrylic, hoping to keep some of the warmth trapped in.

As of this morning the thermometer on the outside of the tank was showing about a 10-degree difference (46 vs 36) while inside the tank is a balmy 78 degrees...

 

[gregg]

Water expands by around 10% when frozen. So if it were me I'd probably drain around 15-20 gallons just to be safe but you should be fine.

But does it expand up or out?

 

[PorpoiseHork]

Put a pair of largeish pumps in them along with a 2-300w heater set to the lowest temp and keep the water circulating rather vigorously. That should prevent it from freezing as long as you keep it above 32F.

 

[PorpoiseHork]

But does it expand up or out?

Yes.

 

[TooMuchDog]

But does it expand up or out?

That depends on the depth of the vessel really. You're making me pull out my thermodynamics textbook haha. It will begin freezing at the surface. Because colder water rises. Then the sides and bottom last. At this point the inside will be liquid and will expand in all directions including laterally. Depending on depth of container your surface ice or container walls will give in to the pressure from the inside of the "ice pressure vessel".

So really, it depends. If it was me I'd drain the rodi water maybe halfway to be safe. Then the salt water has a lower freezing point so it may never even freeze. But this depends on lots of things as well.

 

[Glenn]

Drop a heater in each tank. Even a couple of 60watt lightbulb fixtures will help out. The reflector type clamp on fixtures that some people use in their refugium. We put one 60watt bulb fixture in our deer lease camper water pump compartment and everything stays thawed out all season in northwest Texas. That regularly sees sub freezing temps every year. If you can still find them, you could use hot water heater insulation blankets. Lowe’s or Home Depot.

 

[BigRick]

I have two 100 gallon storage tanks in my backyard full of ro water and one with salt water.

my question is, if I lower the water level and they freeze will it rupture the tank or use the empty space to expand?

Can't drop a heater in? Or cirulation/power head pump.

 

[BigRick]

This will be a very interesting conversation. As many of you know, my whole aquarium sits outside on the patio. Not sure what to expect in the coming days. For now I have raised the temperature in the heaters (currently have 2100W total) I also went ahead and switch 2 out of the 3 lids from mesh to acrylic, hoping to keep some of the warmth trapped in.

As of this morning the thermometer on the outside of the tank was showing about a 10-degree difference (46 vs 36) while inside the tank is a balmy 78 degrees...

Scary... I would be scared of the glass cracking.....

 

[BigRick]

This will be a very interesting conversation. As many of you know, my whole aquarium sits outside on the patio. Not sure what to expect in the coming days. For now I have raised the temperature in the heaters (currently have 2100W total) I also went ahead and switch 2 out of the 3 lids from mesh to acrylic, hoping to keep some of the warmth trapped in.

As of this morning the thermometer on the outside of the tank was showing about a 10-degree difference (46 vs 36) while inside the tank is a balmy 78 degrees...

Id wrap the tank with insulation or heavy blankets

 

[davidrod8]

Id wrap the tank with insulation or heavy blankets

I figure if the water is warm the glass will be fine. The trick is whether I have enough heating power to keep it over 72-75 on Tuesday morning when it's supposed to be down into the teens

 

[BigRick]

I figure if the water is warm the glass will be fine. The trick is whether I have enough heating power to keep it over 72-75 on Tuesday morning when it's supposed to be down into the teens

Can you add more heaters?

 

[reeftopia]

With these temps and a extended period of subfreezing temps is it worth the water to save the tanks. I think I would do a water change now and fill any containers you have.
and then drain the tanks

 

[davidrod8]

Can you add more heaters?

Checking amazon right now I can have them delivered on Sunday... Already have 5x300W Eheims and a 600w Titanium one... I guess it wouldn't hurt to get a couple more just in case...

 

[steveb]

With these temps and a extended period of subfreezing temps is it worth the water to save the tanks. I think I would do a water change now and fill any containers you have.
and then drain the tanks

I think that is a really good idea

 

[gregg]

With these temps and a extended period of subfreezing temps is it worth the water to save the tanks. I think I would do a water change now and fill any containers you have.
and then drain the tanks

yes i think im going to go this route... im gonna do a 40gallon water change, drain the 100 gallons of RO into the salt container and add salt. The saltwater container should be fine but just in case i wont fill it up all the way and the fresh tank only has a couple inches in it. fingers crossed!

 

[mitchell77546]

Salt water doesn’t freeze...


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[Glenn]

Saltwater will freeze at 28 degrees, or there about depending on salinity.

 

[Reefahholic]

Checking amazon right now I can have them delivered on Sunday... Already have 5x300W Eheims and a 600w Titanium one... I guess it wouldn't hurt to get a couple more just in case...

Then you’ll get the message... “due to local weather conditions in your area...this order will be delayed.”