Keeping tank water temperature down in summer

[newhobbist]

It's getting pretty hot and spending $300-400 for a chiller is not an option for now. Is there any other way it can be done?
Also, what is the maximum acceptable water temperature for a community tank?

[talloulou]

Here is an article that may help....
http://www.aquariumhobbyist.com/arti...reControl.html

[LindsayB]

I would suggest keeping the tank away from direct sunlight perhaps against a wall. That has worked for me in the past. Good luck!

[greenmaji]

window [acronym:02b9a74ff5="Activated Carbon"]AC[/acronym:02b9a74ff5] units for the room that the tank is in are not too expensive, much less than a chiller.. make sure its not a wiring issue before you go get one though...

[mumrah]

well, getting your water cooler than ambiant room temperature can be less than easy.

But if your water is more than, say 2-3*C above the air temp you could run your return line through a radiator. Perhaps a similar setup to a water cooling system for a computer.

http://www.frozencpu.com/scan/se=Wat...nu_search.html
plus 2 80mm fans mounted somewhere on the back of your stand.

Also, you could possibly build a watercooling block with some cooper plates a thermoelectric cooler. But that's a little hardcore [acronym:0fa4daa80c="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:0fa4daa80c].

GL,
David

[greenmaji]

mumrah...
Im thinking a window air conditioning unit would be cheaper and work better.. [acronym:c2e90afc35="Just My Humble Opinion"]JMHO[/acronym:c2e90afc35] though..

that and the water in your tank has a large surface area to cool down already..ie the surface water.. using a fan to cool the surface will work well..

[severum mama]

I've heard of people who use a clean pop/water bottle, like the 20 oz. size or so, to fill with water and freeze, then float it in the tank. Don't know if this is a good idea though, never tried it myself.

[FMJnaX]

Originally Posted by mumrah

well, getting your water cooler than ambiant room temperature can be less than easy.

But if your water is more than, say 2-3*C above the air temp you could run your return line through a radiator. Perhaps a similar setup to a water cooling system for a computer.

http://www.frozencpu.com/scan/se=Wat...nu_search.html
plus 2 80mm fans mounted somewhere on the back of your stand.

Also, you could possibly build a watercooling block with some cooper plates a thermoelectric cooler. But that's a little hardcore [acronym:d62a4068b3="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:d62a4068b3].

GL,
David

Ha! That's funny you mentioned it because that's exactly what I'm working on. I've got a goldfish (coldwater fish) and his temps are reaching 80F. He's used to 78F, but I'm going to try and get it lower.

I'm using a dual Chevette heater core (2 x120mm fans). I'm running it with a Hydor L45 pump and it's all going to be situated inside my stand. I've also got a resevior that I can drop small pieces of ice in to melt in.

The parts I'm using now are from my old [acronym:d62a4068b3="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:d62a4068b3]. It was able to cool a processor from 65C to 30C under full load. It's fairly loud, but I don't expect to run it 24/7. I've got a temp probe that I'm going to try and wire up to a timer or something so that I can keep a constant temp. I'm working with an old thermostat from our air conditioner/heater. I'll just have to run a bunch of tests first to make sure it works.

A window A/C unit may be better, but it's out of the question for me.

[BillD]

Using a rad, you will not be able to get it lower than the air temp. You would be better to run the water through the reservoir and put the frozen pop bottle in it to cool the water.

[FMJnaX]

Originally Posted by BillD

Using a rad, you will not be able to get it lower than the air temp. You would be better to run the water through the reservoir and put the frozen pop bottle in it to cool the water.

Correct. I've been watercooling my [acronym:f0bc0c246e="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:f0bc0c246e]'s for about 4 years now. Best I can do is 1C above ambient, without additions. I'm not expecting (or wanting) to get this low (20C). I just need to drop roughly 5C down to 22C, which is more than possible with my heatercore. Using a car heatercore is much more efficient than a commercial radiator of the same size. It's been proven over and over again in the [acronym:f0bc0c246e="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:f0bc0c246e] watercooling world.

Anyway, I'm going to run the resevoir with the iced bottle. Very nice idea! I'm also going to keep the heater core in place. Maybe I'll just go with passive cooling on it though. This way it will drop at least a little bit of heat before hitting the resevoir.