Small res over 80F need advice for cooling

[WarBux79]

So my DWC reservoir is only 8 gallons and my res temps are 25-29c. My roots look super healthy and I want to keep them that way but I am afraid that the reservoir temps are too high. a 1/10th HP chiller for this system is to big and putting frozen bottles in it is inefficient. Does anyone have a good solution to implement?

 

[WarBux79]

For anyone else who might have the same problem as I do you can look into buying a Nano Chiller. I ordered the Aqua Euro USA Aquarium Nano Chiller. It cost me a bit mover 150.00 and will cool a 12 gallon reservoir 10f

Aqua Euro USA Aquarium Chillers at ReefPlayground

 

[Tead]

I had a hot res. I started with Ice. Put together a bit of a cooling system with a water cooler and a spare pump.

None of my solutions were functional. You've surely picked the only real viable option.

Cheers!

 

[naphtali5725]

Do a search on Google for a Wort Chiller. (not sure if you would want to sit it inside the res because it is copper...I'm sure someone will comment on that)
If it is just a small res, it may be sufficient for you just to recirculate the water thru it depending on your air temp inside the grow area/room..or place it outside the grow in just a large bucket of regular water....or in the extreme case you could place the chiller in an airtight styrofoam bucket of dry, or regular ice, should do the trick, and less expensive.
(can make you own from cheap supplies from those large hardware stores)

 

[WarBux79]

I had a hot res. I started with Ice. Put together a bit of a cooling system with a water cooler and a spare pump.

None of my solutions were functional. You've surely picked the only real viable option.

Cheers!

HAHAHA I am glad you shared that because that was my 2nd idea! A 20 gal cooler with ice and some copper pipe or radiator from one of my liquid cooled PCs... Figured I could save a few bucks that way

Do a search on Google for a Wort Chiller. (not sure if you would want to sit it inside the res because it is copper...I'm sure someone will comment on that)
If it is just a small res, it may be sufficient for you just to recirculate the water thru it depending on your air temp inside the grow area/room..or place it outside the grow in just a large bucket of regular water....or in the extreme case you could place the chiller in an airtight styrofoam bucket of dry, or regular ice, should do the trick, and less expensive.
(can make you own from cheap supplies from those large hardware stores)

Yea I thought of that too but I think doing it the right way would be best. Considering if it doesnt work I will end up wasting time and money on it.

 

[naphtali5725]

Yeah, if you want sure thing turn key solution, buy a chiller, my broke ass has to go with the home-made stuff

 

[WarBux79]

I really dont like the idea of keeping running water on 24/7. If I sprung a leak and flooded the place it wouldn't be pretty. Plus running water 24/7 might get expensive.

 

[Tead]

Imagine the risk of flooding with some homemade setup. Stay with the chiller. It will make your life happy in SO many ways.

Cheers

 

[McBudz]

I really dont like the idea of keeping running water on 24/7. If I sprung a leak and flooded the place it wouldn't be pretty. Plus running water 24/7 might get expensive.

There is some inherent risk with all hydro setups unfortunately. With a small res you really only need a very small magnetic pump and they use a tiny amount of electricity 20 watts or less.... Also with a chiller left running it will only kick on periodically to maintain temps. Rig up a cooler as your res and it will kick on even less.

 

[naphtali5725]

There is some inherent risk with all hydro setups unfortunately. With a small res you really only need a very small magnetic pump and they use a tiny amount of electricity 20 watts or less.... Also with a chiller left running it will only kick on periodically to maintain temps. Rig up a cooler as your res and it will kick on even less.

McBudz, when you say to use a cooler as your res, you are referring to a large styrofoam or similar ice chest/cooler correct ?

 

[McBudz]

McBudz, when you say to use a cooler as your res, you are referring to a large styrofoam or similar ice chest/cooler correct ?

Yes like an igloo or whatever. If you use an insulated cooler for your res a chiller will have to work very little to keep a constant temp.

 

[NE14AJ]

seen tiny fridges at pep boys for 60 bucks , i was thinking of grabbing one opening it up to see were i could run some copper lines threw for windings around a chunk of metal or something , with enough passes i would think it would work well and maybe have room for a beer in my artificial ecosystem

 

[naphtali5725]

seen tiny fridges at pep boys for 60 bucks , i was thinking of grabbing one opening it up to see were i could run some copper lines threw for windings around a chunk of metal or something , with enough passes i would think it would work well and maybe have room for a beer in my artificial ecosystem

perhaps you could put the res inside the fridge, and run the hoses thru the door?

 

[Tyrone Hamilton]

I just ran 100' of vinyl hose outside and back in... works great. 15 on 15 off timer for the pump to circulate. You could do the same to a small fridge. I would not use copper though, might react to the nutrients.