Heating your water barrel using a kettle element?

Hi i recently saw a picture on another forum where a guy has stuck some kettle elements in buckets to heat water.

I have heaps of questions about this...so here goes:

Is it faster?
Is it cheaper?
Is it safe?
What sized kettle element would you use for a 220ltr barrel?
Could you use an element from an urn?
How do you safely install the element?
Does anyone currently use this method?


I think that about covers it....

If anyone has any experience with this method of water heating could you please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks very much
Matt

Matt i've got the exact same quesitons running throught my head after seeing this thread. (last pic)
http://www.discusforums.com/forum/vi...317&highlight=
Answers would be greatly appreciated..... :D

I would really like to understand the tolerance levels of discus when it come to water temperature. Do we have any thoughts on what drop in water temperature is acceptable ? and over what time period ? from the normal tank temperature. Knowing this we can optimise just how much heat we need in the incoming water.

rob