Maintaining Optimum Reservoir Temps: Reservoir Chiller

Enigma

Well-Known Member
I've searched and searched only to find the same answer to every question I've ever had.

"Keep it simple, stupid."

Reservoir temperatures are reaching 30 deg C from the cheap-o Waly-World air pump. Using a fan on it did not change anything, putting the pump on the window sill at 0 C brought the temp down 3 C. Still not enough to reach the magical 20. Using hook and loop fasteners, I inserted lunch box coolers directly into the reservoir, which brought the temp down another 3 C. These have to be changed out, frequently.

Finally, I've decided to use a method that is simple and plausible. Most of you have seen the aquarium coolers advertised for $100+ and some come without the controller.

Others found some other ways to cool their reservoirs using A/C units and mini refrigerators. Both very good ideas.

Using the idea of the mini refrigerator, I've decided to source a used one cheap and coil a length of larger tube in the unit. Then drill two small holes for the air tube to go in and out. I'll attach the small tube to the larger coiled tube inside.

I'll report back with my findings.

In the mean-time, would the members post their reservoir chiller(s) idea(s) or implementation(s)?

Let's keep it clean people, no useless posts. This should be a quick reference for all of RIU to access, full of ideas.. not spam.
 

Mr.Bob Saget

Active Member
Yeah you did, almost $100 bucks off... shit.... :-P

No, no pump built in, you need a 200 gph pump in the res to pump the water down through the chiller and back up.

I was really hoping that wasn't the case. If it was all built into the chiller, that would be ideal.
 

JonnyBtreed

Well-Known Member
Can you take some pictures of the pump and how it is hooked up to the chiller?
The picture of the two black tubes is about as close as your gonna get for the next couple months.... My entire res is root mass. I just left it in.
No need for it in my flowering room. That's kept at a nice 75* at all times. Concrete floor drags my res to around 65*.... perfect.
 
Reef Playground does have the best prices on Aqua Euro USA Chillers and pumps. :D We try to keep them as low as possible


All you would need to hook it up would be a small pump that runs anywhere from 40-160gph Slower waterflow will make the unit work more efficiently.

Also, jsut a note guys. The CL model chillers are electric based, so proper ventilation is a must. and the CL-85 model is designed to max out at 12g of water volume.
 

JonnyBtreed

Well-Known Member
Reef Playground does have the best prices on Aqua Euro USA Chillers and pumps. :D We try to keep them as low as possible


All you would need to hook it up would be a small pump that runs anywhere from 40-160gph Slower waterflow will make the unit work more efficiently.

Also, jsut a note guys. The CL model chillers are electric based, so proper ventilation is a must. and the CL-85 model is designed to max out at 12g of water volume.

Wow man you guys are on point huh... Wish i had seen your site earlier as I certainly would have ordered from you.
I went with a larger pump thinking I needed the power to make it down to the chiller and back up to the res. I hadn't even thought about chilling effeciency... Thanks for the input man!!!
 

Enigma

Well-Known Member
After working the air lines inside and running the fridge the temps came down reasonably. Then I ran a small pump to circulate the water through the fridge and the temps came into the mid 60's. I would admit though, the cooling plate directly in the res would be the best bang for the buck.

My opinion: get a cheap mini-fridge.

:weed:
 
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