Water Chilling

T

TheWinner

Member
Me and other aerogardeners have problems with reservoir temperatures..
It is simply a hassle to flush twice a day with cold water to keep things safe.
Air pumps are supposed to run 24/7, and apparently that can be a cause of higher temps, as the pump itself get's warm..

Can somebody please link up a cheap water chiller and explain how it is to be used and how effective they are?
 
weedss

weedss

Active Member
I decided to use a solid ice pack, good to reuse it, will bring the temp up all day.
since i can't find any chiller(where i live), this is the best nd cheap idea for me.
 
T

TheWinner

Member
I've heard of the same thing, but there\s not much room in the reservoir, meaning that if the roots touch the freezing cold ice-pack it will freeze burn the touched root to death!!

I've been flushing often/syphoning and using frozen liquid nute tabs, but this doesn't work to well..

Please someone explain a water chiller to me!
 
T

TheWinner

Member
I'm lookin' to spend $1-$40.
So basically you plug this thing into an outlet, it generates cold air, and works same as an aquarium airpump but with cold air?!
 
dankhoe417

dankhoe417

Active Member
If your handy, you can find those small dorm room refrigerators for next to nothing on craigslist, garage sales, etc. Get a small, cheap pump, drill two holes in side of refrig. Drop pump in rez, run output line into fridge, coil about 5-8 feet of line inside and have it run back into rez. Not the most efficient with poly tubing, but PEX works ok, stainless would be best for temp transfer. NO COPPER!
 
lordjin

lordjin

Well-Known Member
TheWinner said:
I'm lookin' to spend $1-$40.
So basically you plug this thing into an outlet, it generates cold air, and works same as an aquarium airpump but with cold air?!
Click to expand...
How many gallons of water do you need to chill? This is the 1/10 hp AquaEuro unit I use. I had originally ordered the 1/13 hp, but the dealer shipped me the bigger model for some reason. Anyway, the 1/13 hp would have been more than adequate for my cooling needs, but the bigger one does an even more amazing job.



You need to run a flow line through the chiller with a small submersible pump that is not included. I was told by the dealer (though it was an aquarium shop, he knew about hydro applications) that the smaller units priced much lower are pretty much useless for hydro growers because they're intended to cool at a higher temp range, not good for us growers who need to keep it 68-70f.

Edit:

We're all trying to save here and there trying to get by with cheap solutions, but when it comes to chilling, I'm afraid there isn't a cheap solution other than running around with frozen water bottles all day. My unit was 300.00, but that was for the smaller 1/13hp unit I though I had ordered. The 1/13hp should be more than adequate for your needs too, I just got lucky by getting the 1/10hp.

Just trying to save you the hassle of spending money on a cheaper small one and just having to return it.
 
BeaverHuntr

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
Look on craigslist and look at aquarium stores. Hydro stores sell them too. There really is no cheaper or easier way to do it like the guy above said. Craigslist is a good place to buy a used one at least here in Phoenix because of the temperature issues here aquarium owners probably need them.
 
lordjin

lordjin

Well-Known Member
TheWinner said:
Thanks, it's a 5 gallon res, and well I suppose I'll just have to run 'round with frozen liquid containers ^.^
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Yeah, a five gallon res is pretty small, so spending 300+ on this honkin' monster isn't really the right thing for you.

I'm only chilling 10 gallons myself, but there is so much activity in my water and heat in my box, that I absolutely have to run a big chiller to make my system work.

Frozen water bottles for you, mate.
 
UnderCurrentDWC

UnderCurrentDWC

Active Member
If you can DIY than send legallyflying a PM about this, he built a Diy chiller for cheep, it's small so your 5 gallons would work. I'd link you to it but I forgot where I saw it.

P.S the easiest way to get to legallyflying is by clicking on my signature bellow "Quantitative airstone test" is his thread

Hope this helps.
UCDWC~
 
hellraizer30

hellraizer30

Rebel From The North
Just take a small 75$ beer/soda fridge and put a lare air pump in it and run some airlines from inside the fridge to the res,
Cool air = cooler res and its way cheap.
 
lordjin

lordjin

Well-Known Member
hellraizer30 said:
Just take a small 75$ beer/soda fridge and put a lare air pump in it and run some airlines from inside the fridge to the res,
Cool air = cooler res and its way cheap.
Click to expand...
Awesome, dude. I do believe that is known commonly as doing a "MacGuyver."
 
HydroDawg421

HydroDawg421

Well-Known Member
EcoPlus 1/10HP chiller is normally $450 on line. I purchased from Chris at Atlantis Hydroponics in College Park, Ga. For $375. This system works like a charm and keeps temps +- 2-3 degrees of 68.
 
lordjin

lordjin

Well-Known Member
HydroDawg421 said:
EcoPlus 1/10HP chiller is normally $450 on line. I purchased from Chris at Atlantis Hydroponics in College Park, Ga. For $375. This system works like a charm and keeps temps +- 2-3 degrees of 68.
Click to expand...
I'll back that. I have the AquaEuro 1/10hp. I got mine for 300.00. Haw!

Edit: but the discount was an accident on the dealer's part. :D
 
Frito Bandito420

Frito Bandito420

Active Member
HydroDawg421 said:
EcoPlus 1/10HP chiller is normally $450 on line. I purchased from Chris at Atlantis Hydroponics in College Park, Ga. For $375. This system works like a charm and keeps temps +- 2-3 degrees of 68.
Click to expand...

Atlantis hydroponics knows their stuff. I go to the one in chattanooga. great people. matter of fact I got to go there today maybe ill look into a chiller because I been using frozen water bottles myself. its a pain in the ass to do it everyday lol
 
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