USB powered drink cooler to chill nano tanks

[eviltrain]

Does this mini chiller has a compressor inside? By the way what is teh size of this mini fridge? Just curious and sorry for firing so many bullets....

haha no problem, it just use TEM to cool things down. no compressor. size is like around 20cm x 30cm x 30cm.

[Shadow]

if it is end up $7.38 per month, better using compressor. Mine cost only $8-$10 a month for cooling 3ft tank.

[eviltrain]

Its correct Shadow.
But my main concern is for fellow nano/mini tank owners who don't really have the space to have a 3 feet tank at home ( in my case in my room ) or just wants a table top tank.

[Shadow]

use Fan , Unless your room is really-really hot otherwise 27-28 degree is ok. Also for small tank it is pretty easy to top up water loss dues to evaporation.

[eviltrain]

Toping up of water is the reason why i'm doing this. regular top up of water will mess up the water parameters. Most people wants to get nano tank to rear shrimps only. Frequent top up of water will stress the live stocks.

[Shadow]

It is just like Estimate Index as long as you change water once a week should be ok. o... sorry I was thinking more on the Flora then the fauna

[stormhawk]

Well you don't have to rip apart the mini fridge just for the TEM piece. I think you can buy them from Sim Lim Tower, from what I remember. Alternatively, just get the Dolphin mini-chiller. Same effect based on TEM, but it's ready-made and no need for DIY.

[felix_fx2]

Well you don't have to rip apart the mini fridge just for the TEM piece. I think you can buy them from Sim Lim Tower, from what I remember. Alternatively, just get the Dolphin mini-chiller. Same effect based on TEM, but it's ready-made and no need for DIY.

You are right bro, TEM can be purchased from SLT.
Think its effictive for bros who use on nano setups where their using HOF like in my nano. No place to squeeze a canister.

[eviltrain]

From what i know, a TEM alone will cost around 10 dollar ( depends on wattage ). If you buy the mini fridge, its cost only 15 dollar with heatsink and fan, and the power for it. If you buy from SLT, all parts will add up to more than 15 dollar + cost of the trip.

[eviltrain]

Its more fun doing DIY also

[goody992828]

I do agreed if you DIY yourself will have more fun than buy any off the shell item, provided you must be a very handy man... maybe later you can patent your method and mass produce your product... haha, and if happen you need someone to design the casing I might be able to help.... hahaha.

cheers.

[eviltrain]

thanks brother goody, but i would rather share it with the fellow peoples in the forum. got things must share

[goody992828]

Agreed! Just keep us update with picture will be best, if you succeed I might consider to DIY one myself as well... as I like to keep budget intact.

[eviltrain]

something that i have drawn.

[goody992828]

Hey thank for sharing, but one question, how would you be able to get the mini fridge to stop when your temp in the reaches the require temp setting?

[eviltrain]

Well there's always cheaper alternetives, like using timer. First let the chiller work out to its maximun. Then use a timer to set it 1/2 hour run 1/2 hour stop( Using trial and error method to suit the result or desire temperature you wants to achive). i believe its more than enough to keep the tank water temperature constant at your desire temperature

[Shadow]

you can add sensor to cut off power once desire temp reached

[eviltrain]

Brother shadow,
i wants to keep the project within the price of 50 dollar to make it attractive to let those who like DIY and keep it cheap.

[vinz]

A thermostat might be more efficient as in it will only switch on the chiller when required and switch it off when not required. It responds accordingly as temperature vary through the day and in general through the year.

The timer will switch on/off the chiller regardless of the water temperature.

Both a timer and thermostat will required money to buy. Since you are DIYing, I assume you could get a cheaper normal water thermostat from places like Sim Lim Tower instead of a more expensive one that is specifically packaged and branded for aquarium.

I'm not aware of the price differences but, in the long run the thermostat might be better value for money.

Well there's always cheaper alternetives, like using timer. First let the chiller work out to its maximun. Then use a timer to set it 1/2 hour run 1/2 hour stop( Using trial and error method to suit the result or desire temperature you wants to achive). i believe its more than enough to keep the tank water temperature constant at your desire temperature

You'll probably need to have different intervals for the cooler and warmer parts of the day. Not forgetting the average temperature varies through the year. Also weater may vary day to day... may not be good for the tank inhabitants if the temperature differs too much between days.

[Shadow]

you can make simple thermostat.

Dismantle the digital thermometer, take out the sensor. Get some sample of PIC controller (not sure if you still can get free sample now a days ). Get the one with ADC. You need a bit of coding. you can hardcode the temperature setting for example 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and use dip switch to set which temperature. You also need relay to switch off the TEM. It should be quite cheap.

Just an idea