Pond Heater

[Birdman]

Got my new free pool heater yesterday. It's very nice. Raypak 50,000 BTU. It has 1 1/4 inch stainless lines going in and out with a cast bronze heating core inside. I can just take one of my TPR flows and run it through it. Very easy.

One concern, just want to make sure cast bronze is fish safe, I believe it is but just want to make sure.

[PapaBear]

Bronze, like any other alloy, is cast in different ways. If yours is listed as "food grade" it should be fine. Most cheaper types are cast with a fair amount of sulphur content which can obviously be an issue. If so it should be easy to tell in fairly short order. The sulphur sheds easily and will leave a yellowish scum on pond walls, etc...

[Birdman]

Quote: Originally Posted by PapaBear Bronze, like any other alloy, is cast in different ways. If yours is listed as "food grade" it should be fine. Most cheaper types are cast with a fair amount of sulphur content which can obviously be an issue. If so it should be easy to tell in fairly short order. The sulphur sheds easily and will leave a yellowish scum on pond walls, etc...

Thanks for answering Larry. One thing I did notice when inspecting the heater. If you look inside the bronze heating unit it has a green petina. Does this tell anything?

[dick benbow]

sounds like it's been setting for awhile!

[Birdman]

Quote: Originally Posted by dick benbow sounds like it's been setting for awhile!

It has Dick, but I have no idea how long. All in all it looks in very good condition. The inside of the case is very clean.

[PapaBear]

Quote: Originally Posted by Birdman Thanks for answering Larry. One thing I did notice when inspecting the heater. If you look inside the bronze heating unit it has a green petina. Does this tell anything?

The green patina is pretty typical for any type of copper alloy so you can't really tell much by that. Somewhere in the literature that came with the unit it should mention whether or not it is food grade... beyond that you might just want to drop the mfg and email to ask. I'm not sure if there is any type of treatment you could use to "pickle" the unit... maybe there is a better metallurgist than I out there who could add more info.