Deep freeze

[Mt Doo]

Has anyone thought of using a deep freeze as a rez???? I have one and the cold air fan is up top so I can fill it with like 20 gal and if it's set up rdwc the water wouldn't have a chance to freeze due to it's constantly moving. Not planning on doing this just went to pull out a steak to eat and the idea came to me anyone think something like this would work or has seen it in action

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[rickymac21]

I'm not really sure. It's possible I guess. My only concern would be the temperature of the water. Your right that since it's recirculating it probably wont freeze. But the water temp would still be too cold for plants, I would imagine anyways. Water temp for hydro should be like 60-65 F. If that freezer is running it's going to cool the water a lot colder than that.

Plus the amount of electricity to run the thing would just be a waste. I think you would be better off using a water chiller.

Again, these are just assumptions. But those are potential problems I see.

 

[Mt Doo]

The freezer I have is only 100 watts and that's on the high setting I can then the temp down and I'm sure someone can figure out a way to set it up to run when the water temp reaches a certain temp plus a chiller would work but the price is crazy a freezer would serve a dual purpose.

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[rwhit7]

Doo,
Just read your post. You could use the CAI controller to sense the temperature and switch a solid state relay turning the freezer on and off. This would let you control the temperature exactly where you wanted without fear of getting too cold. With that much water this would be a perfect solution.
rwhit7

 

[SnapsProvolone]

Line voltage cooling thermostat with remote probe would be able to regulate temps. Get one with a 3 degree differential. The 7 degree differential is too much.

 

[Mt Doo]

Line voltage cooling thermostat with remote probe would be able to regulate temps. Get one with a 3 degree differential. The 7 degree differential is too much.

I've seen a couple. I'm thinking about doing this just to see if it works

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[SnapsProvolone]

Once did a diy chiller for a small setup using a salvaged wallmount handicap chilled water fountain innards. Ran like a champ, just tweaked the internal temperature control.

 

[BallinOnABudget]

Is there anything you don't know? Lol im serious dude you got a lot of knowledge...

 

[SnapsProvolone]

Is there anything you don't know? Lol im serious dude you got a lot of knowledge...

Comes with age and experience. I learn new stuff all the time.

 

[rwhit7]

Here's another idea. I use a PID controller (eBay) and a RTD sensor to control a relay. Mounted it in a box with an outlet on the back. There is probably about $35 invested. I use it for controlling soil temperature with a seed mat but it is configurable to do refrigeration as well.

 

[SnapsProvolone]

More than one way to skin a cat for sure.

 

[GroErr]

Great idea, small freezer or small fridge, some mods and controllers, nice...

 

[Mt Doo]

I think I'm going to try this next round lol any design ideas are welcome

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[Mt Doo]

No suggestions on how this should be implemented, or design guys with ideas. I'm thinking of doing bulk head fittings with 2in PVC running to 4 5gal buckets with a drip feed.... Anybody else see any different ways to run this.

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[rwhit7]

Mt.,
My drip system uses some flexible pipe I got at the hydro store along with some small tubing. To make it work i just punched a small hole in the flex pipe and inserted the small tube. Attached the small tube to a plastic holder, hooked the flex pipe to a Harbor Freight fountain pump and voila. Will attach pics:

Seems to me that running 2 inch pipe for a 4 pot drip system is overkill. My little cheap system has 12 drippers and works fine. I think it would be sufficient for 4 pots easily.

 

[tip top toker]

I hope you have fire insurance. Not that you'd be covered.

Overworking a fridge or freezer for a prolonged period of time is never a good thing.

 

[Mt Doo]

I hope you have fire insurance. Not that you'd be covered.

Overworking a fridge or freezer for a prolonged period of time is never a good thing.

I would assume once it stabilizes at my desired temp it would only come on to keep it regulated at my desired temp. Maybe I'm missing a important part of the equation

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[rwhit7]

I would assume once it stabilizes at my desired temp it would only come on to keep it regulated at my desired temp. Maybe I'm missing a important part of the equation

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You are correct.

 

[dangerous1]

Refrigerators are designed to cool a small load and to keep it cool. Not constantly running like the coolers at a grocery store. Chances are the mini fridge does not have sufficient capacity to cool for long periods of time. It depends on the size of the fridge, refrigerant used, the load you're cooling, how long it takes to bring your solution down to temp, how often it cycles, etc.

 

[tip top toker]

I would assume once it stabilizes at my desired temp it would only come on to keep it regulated at my desired temp. Maybe I'm missing a important part of the equation

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The desired temps would be far too high IMO. Freezers are designed to keep food at minus temperatures, you wouldn't want your water temp anywhere near zero let alone below. I think the only way to use a freezer to keep the water at thea desired temp, would be to have it turn on and off here and there, and freezers are not meant for this. They do not bring temps down fast, they are designed to reach their temp and keep it there, which it achieves through near constant running, not short bursts.

I just don't see it as being a very viable option. But hey, I'm no electrician or anything, so its simply an opinion. There is surely a better way to cool your red than resorting to a large freezer. I'd say just try and find an old water chiller, something actually designed for chilling water as is passes through.