DIY Chiller

[ZeRoC00l]

Check out these few sites, not too bad ideas


(1) http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~cap/raid/chillers/diy/

(2) http://www.aloha.net/~hqf/indexdonschiller.htm

(3) http://www.aloha.net/~hqf/indexjrosechiller.htm

(4) http://www.aloha.net/~hqf/indexjrosechiller.htm

If anyone is doing the (1), pls let me know. It's the more effective one among these few. But kinda complitcated, and slightly more costly []

[loupgarou]

http://www.aloha.net/~hqf/indexdonschiller.htm

^^ I'm pondering whether to do that. seems like no one in singapore diy's chillers? --

I saw the LG bar fridge at $169 at carrefour/harvey norman.
you can use a heater in the tank to regulate the temperature. set the fridge to zero degrees or so.

the way I see it: piping = $5 per meter for the eheim types or cheaper ones $1 a meter will do.

problem is drilling the holes in the top of the fridge without hitting any wires (anyone knows anything about this? is it just dead space/insulation on the top? if it is, I'll use a spike/chisel to knock a hole in, put in the tubing and cover up the hole with silicone.)

(mod: can move to equipment?)

[hugo]

Can also get fridge from second hand dealers, very cheap about $50.

Its safe to drill side of fridge, no wires only insulatioin material.

If non-marine tank use copper pipe instead of plastic, better heat transfer. If marine use stainless steel. Smaller diameter is better more contact surface and cooking capacity, but not too small, freezing problem.

Pipe leaving and entering the fridge, apart than those in the fridge must be insulated to prevent heat lost.

Can consider also instead of fridge, a water cooling unit. Less modification required.

Also whould you mind defining "cheeper" chiller? What would be a resonable price for a chiller capable of cooling a 4' tank to say 25 C?

[kelstorm]

If non-marine tank use copper pipe instead of plastic, better heat transfer. If marine use stainless steel.
stainless steel??? will corrode leh.. unless u use high grade stainless steel which are very expensive.. if not, if u are feeling rich, try titantium...

[loupgarou]

I would think we can skip the copper pipes altogether? won't a plastic pipe work as well? just immerse the pipes into a metal tub filled with water.

(alternatively, consider a sump IN the fridge. hehe

[BFG]

Guys, I have another way of cooling down the water temp. My spare 2026 was leaking constantly n so I borrowed my mom aluminium serving tray 2 collect the run-off water. I placed the tray directly on the floor. When the water reach a certain height, I would 'sponge' out the water. Little did I know that wif the water in the tray + the aluminium tray directly on the floor, I got cool water temp ard 26-28 deg! If it's raining outside guess!!! The fish suffered though coz they developed white spot. It could be that the water was much cooler then I estimated originally. The tank now has a heater.

My theory is that the water will be cooler at night than in the day. One hindsight though is the setup is an eyesore, wif the filter out in the open on the floor.

[loupgarou]

yeah. surely we can use aluminium tubing...got such thing anot? where to get?

[vinz]

Someone mentioned aluminium cooling coils or something like that for cars... check the old DIY chiller threads.