What's new
GrowWeedEasy.com
You're browsing as a guest. Sign up to join the conversation, share your grows, and get help from thousands of fellow growers — it's free and takes less than a minute.

Copper tube in DWC?

smoorman

New member
I'm think of using copper tube as a heat exchanger in a DWC 5 gallon bucket. I know Cu is a fungicide. I'm not sure whether it's suitable for this application. Thoughts? Experience?
 
Hmm...
it’s not just a fungicide but is also anti microbial. Also great for killing snails in a fish tank.

As an anti microbial, it would kill the beneficial bacteria that are part of helping roots uptake nutrients. I’m not sure if it would have any negative reactions to the plant, but would be more concerned as to how the copper reacts to all the salts in the reservoir.

If price was no concern, i would try to use stainless steel tubing. If you do come up with a heat exchanger system, I’d be very interested in following along for ideas.
 
Howdy, an other alternative to copper and stainless steel would be to use aluminum tubing. It is less expensive than both and is, usually, softer and easier to form without special tools, and does not react with water. Aluminum also has a better thermal transfer rate as well.
 
What is your plans for chilling the water? Pumping?

There are some great peltier in-line cooling modules on Amazon that i have been eyeballing. Unfortunately they consume a lot of electricity to run, so I’m looking for other ideas.
 
I haven't although I have some knowledge on the subject through an aqauntence. Ph 5.5-6.5 copper oxide formed on outside of the tubing, reducing leaching potential. Then again if you have a cheaper option go with that. I know of one guy who had success with it.
 
Back
Top