HYDRO Practical implementation of water chillers : suggestions & help

[BU2B]

Thread Removed

 

[alltatup]

Hi BU2B, If you don't want to go with a chiller, I think the coil system would be a good bet. I found this helpful article: https://www.bigbloomhydroponics.com/hydro/how-to-cool-your-hydroponic-reservoir/ I am going to look into the root-cleaning enzymes...

I can't believe how much the price of chillers as gone up: it's obscene. However, I do see some decently-priced chillers from sellers who will accept offers on Ebay. If you were to get two of em, you could get a lower price for both. And for God's sake, don't sell the dog!!!!!

 

[growell]

Just need one chiller connected to your water butt mate

 

[Eliot Pryor]

Don't sell the dog !! Sell the car. Sell the wife, one of the kids but don't sell the dog !!

 

[alltatup]

BU2B, if you look up aquarium chillers, you'll see that a 1/10hp chiller can chill hella gallons of H2O, like 130 gallons. My grow box reservoir holds 6 gallons, and I'm usually growing 3 different strains in there.

Also look up Nano chiller. https://reefbuilders.com/2016/05/04/nisso-aqua-cool-mini-is-the-first-truly-hang-on-nano-chiller/

It never occurred to me when I purchased my chillers to look for smaller ones for a six-gallon reservoir; I could have saved a lot of $$$. I will get something more size-appropriate and cheaper when the chillers die...

 

[Sino]

I just found this cheap thing online..most likely a pos..can’t find it anywhere else or anything about the company other then it’s out of China. Not sure if it’s even worth a try. But this would be more applicable more rdwc I think either way. Not sure.

 

[Ckbrew]

That cooling coil in the article should do well, make out of copper, easier. I would suggest putting the coil directly in the nute solution. Plumb the chillers in parallel.

 

[alltatup]

I can't enlarge the photo: do you have a link?

 

[Sino]

Yeah I ordered it, I don’t expect it to be great but I could just use a few degrees lower for my piece of mind. Should get here the 25th I’ll let y’all know how it goes. 30 day returns lol

 

[alltatup]

Here's the cheapest price I've seen: https://www.horticulturesource.com/f...yABEgIpi_D_BwE
EcoPlus 1/10 hp chiller.

BTW, a chiller is a good investment: my oldest has been running five years with nary a problem. It's just that prices are so much higher now than 5 years ago. Fkg inflation.

I don't trust the Tomshoo: looks wonky to me.

 

[alltatup]

BU2B Yes, indeed, we older growers have to ease the process as much as possible. Good luck with this!!!

 

[Sino]

Update to the Tomshoo is feeling like a damn Tomfool for buying this thing lol..I’ll return it but wanted to let y’all know. Can be programmed to 18c but it won’t keep a cup of water cold to save its life. It’s smaller than a magazine and came with a huge dell laptop charger for power that is bigger than the machine itself lol. Oh well.

 

[alltatup]

Damn crap junk from China. This one's still on sale, and it's a very good price:
https://www.horticulturesource.com/...MIoveq2pbF9gIV3xfUAR3rFwarEAQYAyABEgIpi_D_BwE

 

[growell]

Shit thats small nothing like false advertising making the photo bigger

 

[Ckbrew]

Bahahaha that is pathetically funny.

 

[changeofpace2014]

I think direct contact like you suggested is the only efficient way to cool the water. My understanding of roof top chillers always have direct contact with the water being chilled. I would think trying to chill through a 5 gallon plastic bucket would not be to efficient.

Perhaps solder in a cheap heater core from the auto part store. I would be curious if the continual metal contact would introduce unwanted micro nutes.

 

[Ckbrew]

If you use a heater core, make sure it is lead free.