diy bioreactor aquaponics | Solar can heater update

diy bioreactor aquaponics

Slowly working away on my solar can heater, just got to add a solar powered electric fan and exhaust pipe .
will put together a video once its complete and working.

all the cans mounted and ready to paint

A nice black Matt paint finish

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diy aquaponics grow bed | Fire Quicker more durable ethanol stove

diy aquaponics grow bed

A while back I made a pretty convincing ethanol camp stove out of a coke can.

It worked well and looked like this when it was running.

Ive used it a bit since then and its definitely a practical addition to any backpack.

The problem is its starting to show signs of aging. The can expands and contracts, and there is now a crease where extra gas flows giving an uneven flame.




In my model (also not my design) I used an inner sleeve with holes at the top to let the gas out. The result is that the trapped ethanol (spirit/alcohol/methanol) between the outside wall, and the inner wall boils the spirit, and creates a gas jet that looks a lot like a normal BBQ burner.

One of the problems was trying to get the top of a coke can to fit into the bottom of a coke can. Its tricky because (of course) they are the same size. It can be done, but involves gently stretching the outside one and it takes a lot of messing about.

Now Im being pretty fussy here. The little burner works really well, but it did tend to leak fuel around creases that formed in the join between the top and the bottom sections.

Someone on a Stirling engine forum pointed me towards a different method of making one. This method involves no holes, but it just encourages those creases that mine developed by itself, and I think it might be a winner.

Theirs also used a drink can, but I think it might make a more robust version if I used a tinned food can.

So, to start with, I peeled a normal, every day food tin.

The first step was to trim it to size.

I needed the top to fit into the bottom, so the first thing to do was punch a hole in it to enable a cutting tool to get in there.

I used that mystery tool that pocket knives have.

Probably a leather working tool or something.

Who knows, just punch a hole in the can.

Next jam in some tin snips or something to make a nice cut to separate top from bottom.

My tin snips are stupid, so I ended up using scissors.

This isnt the best way to use scissors, so dont do this at home unless you actually own the scissors.





One very good method of cutting a tin can, is to just tear it by grabbing a ragged tail of tin with a pair of pliers and twist. If theres a groove to follow, it actually makes a pretty straight cut.

As I said, I ended up using scissors to trip everything to it was nice and neat.

I made the inside sleeve (the one on the left), slightly taller than the other so the pot could sit on the rim and let the gas escape from the gap between the outside sleeve.

I bent a series of grooves in the base of the inner sleeve so that they would allow the flow of gas, and also allow the inside sleeve to fit inside the outside sleeve.

This was simply a case of grasping with pliers, and twisting them to the left, and slightly down toward the centre.

Next I inverted the inside sleeve and carefully positioned the outside sleeve over it so that I might press the two together by stamping down with my foot.

Which failed completely.

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diy commercial aquaponics system | Ethanol Heater

diy commercial aquaponics system

Ethanol Fire Heater. Living in an apartment restricts to a degree what types of heaters you can have, obviously there is the usual electric heaters but these are costly and reliant on the power being on. Most apartments come with reverse cycle heating, in our place the heater warms the bedrooms but is very inefficient in the lounge. 

Why we choose Ethanol? we wanted to add a heat source that was self reliant in the fact it didnt need power, and we found the Ethanol Fire at a home show. The great thing about this heat source is that it gives out no fumes! there is no need for chimney or other type of ventilation its 100% safe, of course it looks really nice too and gives that homely cozy feel to any place. they come in several sizes depending on room size, we went for the smallest as it docent really get cold here for that long. another benefit is Ethanol fuel is makable on farms so if other fuels were not available , im sure ethanol would be or a bottle of Alcohol.

Cost ? although the unit is relatively inexpensive, the fuel is about $4.50 per Ltr, we have found on average 1Ltr burns for about 5 1/2 hours.

Where to purchase from ? I got mine from eBay and found it in the city was able to collect it, but many fireplace stores or Eco stores are now carrying these fires.

Click here to search eBay for Ethanol fire !

Most of these types are mounted on a wall, it was pretty easy just 4 holes drilled and bolts were supplied.

the black surround is heat profed and treated for a safe surround and has side panels that reduce draft affecting the flame

The stainless stele box on this model (350) contains 1 Ltr of fuel

To pour fuel you slide the key hole cover place in funnel and pour the liter into box. careful not to spill any as this can and will catch alight.

close keyhole cover and slide the whole lid backwards to reveal firebox

using a lighter stick / gas oven lighter just ignite fuel. ( I have noticed when box is half full it is a lot harder to light and takes 4/5 attempts, as it keeps going out.)

Ethanol Fuel is also known as Methylated spirits

The fire takes about 5 minutes to get really burning well and then gives out some good heat.

I did some test and the temp at other side of room was 5c colder than area near fire, you can definably feel the heat.

To extinguish the fire use the 2 rods and lift cover up from back

Slide the cover over box and this puts out the fire. (don not attempt to refuel once it has been lit! it takes about 20 mins for it to be back at room temperature and can then be refueled)

slide

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