Pond Heating

[GazKoi]

How do you size a boiler for a pond?

Pond off 4000glns heating circuit through a skimmer for a good flow rate.

Will be using house boiler (uprated) with a pumped circuit and a 3 way valve for control of heat exchanger.

Comments please.

Gazza.

[B.Scott]

Gaz,
A couple of considerations.
A three way system might mean compremising heating in the winter to either the house or the pond depending which has priority. In the winter the demand is likely to be quite large from both pond and house.
Ponds are all quite individual as far as heat requirements. Many factors will cause a vast array of heat demand from ponds depending on the location, terrain, insulation, cover and local geography.

Personally I would opt for a separate systen in the long term though this system you plan at the moment may be ok for a while. One thing I would consider is a cover for the pond in the winter... possibly polycabonate dubble layered sheets. Many people speak of the romance of the steam rising from the pond in the winter. Substitute $$$$/££££ for steam and you will be more on the mark.
B.Scott

[GazKoi]

Thanks for the reply

The three way valve will be on a separate circuit so no mater what the demand on the house or pond it will give to both circuits.

To make sure this will happen i want to make sure the new boiler is more than capable of handling this. My house boiler is a 50000BTU and i will be replacing with a 120000btu one so that is why i was trying to find out how they work it out.

Yes the pond will be covered and pipe work insulated and also the filter system. The heating circuit will run on the skimmer circuit which also will have filtration on it and this will mean we can regulate the water flow.

Thanks

Gazza.

[Andrew]

Gary,
General rule of thumb, 10,000btu's per 1000 gallons.

[GazKoi]

Yes at last i knew about the 1KW per 1000 gallons but was not sure with btu's that was what i needed otherwise i would be way over the top.

Many thanks Andrew may of saved me a bob or two

Gazza.