[Timezone Detection]
Create Account - Join in Seconds!

User Name: Email Address:
Human Verification

Please enter the six letters or digits that appear in the image opposite.

DIY Chiller?


Bookmark and Share
Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    dlhirst - Reefkeeper
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Detroit MI
    Posts
    705
    First Name
    Don

    Default DIY Chiller?

    Recent knee surgery has had me staring at this thing for the past couple weeks:

    DonJoy Iceman Continuous Cold Therapy Unit

    and it's gotten me thinking...

    Has anyone ever made a short term chiller like this? It's really just an Igloo cooler with a fish pump in it. If you use cooler packs instead of ice, I bet you could drop a tank's temp by ten degrees in a hurry. If anything it might drop the temp too quickly. Ice pack "management" could solve that though.

    I coulda used one last year - struggling to keep temps down right now as well.

  2. #2
    MizTanks - Reefkeeper
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    U.P. of Michigan.
    Posts
    8,444
    First Name
    Jamie
    Awards Photo of the Month - October 2012 Photo of the Month Post and Reply Award - Winner of the first PAR Contest. Monthly Giveaway Winner

    Default

    I've got one~have it hanging on my HOB Aquafuge~tank temps been 79 all day~cool
    There's nothing like being a Reefer! www.upmmas.com

  3. #3
    MyNemesis - Reefkeeper
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Lansing, Michigan
    Posts
    385
    First Name
    John
    Awards Fishbowl Drawing Winner - Fishbowl Drawing #3 MCES 2012 ($25 Reef Paradise Gift Certificate)

    Default DIY chiller

    My friend made a DIY chiller of the same design with a large circular beverage cooler. Wound the tubing all the way around the interior walls, with fittings for the intake, powerhead tube back to the tank, etc. He would fill it with ice and could cool the temperature for a 180 gallon tank about two or three degrees in about 20 minutes. As I recall, it was a google search for DIY chillers that gave us the idea.

  4. #4
    jimsflies - Reefkeeper
    Admin/Founder

    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    11,467
    First Name
    Jim

    Default

    LOL...I had knee surgery last fall and also have one of those units. The same thought crossed my mind. I used to use a similar product for serving my homebrew out a keg when I visited friend's houses.

    You could hook it up to a controller so the pump only operated when the tank got above the set point. It would allow the ice to last longer and have control over the tank temp.

    Hope your knee gets better soon Don!

  5. #5
    dlhirst - Reefkeeper
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Detroit MI
    Posts
    705
    First Name
    Don

    Default

    Yeah, my knee's on the mend. I'll be fishing very soon!

    I guess a lot of folks BOUGHT this thing after surgery. I am a cheapskate, so I rented it for the month. About a 1/4 of the cost, but alas, he is taking it back tomorrow.

    I do have other coolers though, didn't even THINK of just coiling a ton of tubing in it. That's a great idea. Thanks!

    ---------- Post added at 10:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:52 AM ----------

    BTW - I also have two braces that say "DonJoy" on them, and trust me, they are mislabeled...

  6. #6
    jimsflies - Reefkeeper
    Admin/Founder

    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    11,467
    First Name
    Jim

    Default

    I don't think I was ever asked to rent or own...they just sent me packing with it. Good call on renting!

  7. #7
    rmalone - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    grand blanc, mi
    Posts
    388

    Default

    Great idea, for a "tough times" chiller, I had considered doing something similar or going all the way to a coil in mini-fridge, with a pump hooked to a controller. But I have such high cooling needs that I bought a 1/4hp JBJ chiller just so I didn't have a constant job or a PITA project. If you need chilling very often I bet you would spend more on ice or nearly the same on re-cooling chill packs. I just run my return through the chiller, I figured no reason to add another pump, and it's heat/electrical consumption.

  8. #8
    larryandlaura - Reefkeeper
    Team CR

    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Houghton Lake
    Posts
    5,338
    First Name
    Larry
    Awards Monthly Giveaway Winner Fantasy Football Champion Referral Award Monthly Giveaway Winner

    Default

    Sweet idea! We use frozen 20 ounce bottles in the sump! Has always worked!
    Hi my name is Larry and I'm a coral addict!

  9. #9
    MyNemesis - Reefkeeper
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Lansing, Michigan
    Posts
    385
    First Name
    John
    Awards Fishbowl Drawing Winner - Fishbowl Drawing #3 MCES 2012 ($25 Reef Paradise Gift Certificate)

    Default

    I am a two liter ice cube user myself, along with a fan on the sump and the fans for the lights. Had the A/C on for the last week, however.

Similar Topics

  1. WTB Chiller....
    By shovelhead91701 in forum Want to Buy
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 07-25-2010, 09:52 PM
  2. Temperature/ Chiller chiller????
    By Corvette Reefer in forum Hardware
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 04-13-2010, 03:36 PM
  3. Temperature/ Chiller Looking for a Chiller
    By Sweetpea in forum Hardware
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 04-13-2007, 01:28 AM
  4. need a used chiller
    By Nathanbrown03 in forum Want to Buy
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 10-19-2005, 07:13 PM
  5. chiller help
    By mitchwelt in forum Basics
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 10-02-2005, 06:44 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

About CaptiveReefs

    If you are interested in learning about reefkeeping or have a problem with your reef, our reefkeeping community is here to help. Feel free to ask a question or search our site. We have lots of experienced reefkeepers that are willing to provide free reefkeeping advice!

    Besides being a great resource for all levels of reef aquarium hobbyists, CaptiveReefs is a social experience that will enhance your enjoyment of reefkeeping. CaptiveReefs is committed to connecting reefkeepers with the support and information they need to grow beautiful coral reef aquariums.

Information

Connect with Us