For my 110gal (~180gal total system tank/sump volume) setup, I am going to build myself a chiller from a window AC unit. I feel that since I have the capacity to TIG weld stainless, there is no point in my spending $500+ on a chiller when I can build one for a little over $150 (HomeDepot has 5000BTU AC units for $89).
My plan is as fallows:
to buy a 5000BTU unit, take everything out of the "housing", and scrap everything but the required parts (AC pump, condensor, and acumulator....I will ditch the evaporator since it is copper and as we all know, copper + inverts don't mix)...
I will then take a 8foot stainless tube, wrap it into a coil (of some shape), and weld stainless fittings on the ends.....this will be the new evaporator that will then be submerged in the sump....
connect the evaporator to the rest of the system with high pressor rubber lines (such as would be used on automotive AC systems) and have the new "unit" recharged....
this SHOULD provide a quite reliable (since the only part in direct contact with water will be stainless) and effective "chiller" at a fraction of the cost...
does anyone see anything wrong with this?
is 5000BTU large enough ( looking at these chillers:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113768
5000BTU/1/3HP seems to be plenty)
should I go up to 6500BTU (HomeDepot also has a 6500BTU for $125)? above 6500BTU, the cost goes WAY up (jumps to 10,000BTU and $500)...