Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Help Small 1000 gallon stock tanks and geothermal

I have (2) 1000 gallon stock tanks I want to raise fish in.
I'd like to keep the water cooler during summer. I wondering about
installing a SMALL geothermal loop underground say 6-7 feet deep
To cool water when it's hot. I was thinking of say a 20' long trench
With what ever I can fit in it for pipe. Most likely coils, say a good 100'.
I do have a few lengths of stainless 1-1/2 pipe I could bury if that would
transfer heat better. I was thinking of a separate slower pump than
the filter just for cooling. Ideas??

Sounds like an interesting idea, i doubt 20 feet would do it -but i suspect you can find a calculator to help you figure it out. My brother is a geothermal pro Ill ask him.

I found this!
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=273909&page=1

If I used coil tubing, the trench would be like 20'x4' with atleast 100'+ feet of coils burried.
If I used my stainless pipe that I have, which is atleast 1-1/2 I'd only have 30-40 feet buried.
I also have 4x6x3/8 rectangular tube on hand.

It also depends on the type of soil you are buying it in too right, youll be heating the ground unless the ground has the ability to absorb all the heat you are throwing at it...the more coils in a tight spot the less effective it would be. Insulating your tanks would probably be helpful.

Squeaker,

I agree with Tinylake, the greater the volume of ground contacted = the greater heat exchange potential.

Is your trench length limited by the boundaries of your property? Are you digging the trench, or a contractor? Either way, there is usually a minimum hours charge. If you have a four-hour rental, dig "four hours" of trench and space the coils to the maximum trench length. (You do need to allot some time to push your spoils back over the trench.)

Also, are you digging in soil with a decent clay content? I have some sandy soils on my farm that are impossible to trench - the sides will immediately slough into the excavation. OTOH, I have clay-rich soils that will stay open with perfectly vertical sides all of the way to total depth.

I suggest you read up on some ground-loop geothermal systems for houses in your area. There should be some info on best practices, sizing the system, pump rates, etc. if you dig long enough. (Pardon the pun, I only caught that when I previewed my post.)

Soil should be good. Very sandy/decomposed granite. Very close to creek and pretty high ground water table.
Trench would just be limited for expense and work. And yes 1 day rental of back hoe. Usually ground loops are like 600' but that's over kill and over expense for (2) 1000 gal tanks. They'll be shaded and insulated anyway.

Interesting project.....what kind of fish?

The only 2 I have interest in are albino channel cats and some brood stock golden shiners. Also looking for 2 more 1000+ gall tanks. I'll probably just end up using very large water tanks and cutting part or all the tops off. The 2 tanks I have are a fiberglass that's atlease 10'x3'x3' and then a 9' 1000 g stock tank. I'm looking for stuff deeper than 3' though. And yes for the shiners it will have to be covered.

Do you just want to raise those fish to a larger size or to have them spawn in the tanks? Spawning the CC might be easy, the GSH not so much due to their respective spawning habits and requirements. What will you be using for a filtration system?