DIY low-cost chiller?

[Juan Valdez]

Does it exist?

I live in Los Angeles, and my apartment heats up considerably during
the day. Usually air-conditiong isn't needed here (where I live in
LA), but sometimes it can go a few days with high temps.

I read somewhere about running airline tubing through a dorm fridge,
and circulating water through that. Anyone ever try this?

I'm not going to set my tank (30 gal) up until I solve this problem.
I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks,
Juan

[Billy]

"Juan Valdez" > wrote in message
...
| Does it exist?
|
| I live in Los Angeles, and my apartment heats up considerably
during
| the day. Usually air-conditiong isn't needed here (where I live in
| LA), but sometimes it can go a few days with high temps.
|
| I read somewhere about running airline tubing through a dorm
fridge,
| and circulating water through that. Anyone ever try this?
|
| I'm not going to set my tank (30 gal) up until I solve this
problem.
| I'm open to suggestions.
|
| Thanks,
| Juan
|
http://saltaquarium.about.com/library/blank/bldiydonchiller.htm

It works, but has it's disadvantages. Also, don't use the recomended
RIO pump, too many stories about those things melting down and
killing livestock. Go with a maxi-jet, IMO.


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.752 / Virus Database: 503 - Release Date: 9/3/2004

[Anthony Pruitt]

"Juan Valdez" > wrote in message
...
> Does it exist?
>
> I live in Los Angeles, and my apartment heats up considerably during
> the day. Usually air-conditiong isn't needed here (where I live in
> LA), but sometimes it can go a few days with high temps.
>
> I read somewhere about running airline tubing through a dorm fridge,
> and circulating water through that. Anyone ever try this?
>
> I'm not going to set my tank (30 gal) up until I solve this problem.
> I'm open to suggestions.
>
> Thanks,
> Juan
>

I've tried it and it works great. Just drill two holes in the side for your
water lines, one in and one out. Coil as much tubing as you can get in the
fridge and hook up your pump. The more tubing, the longer the water stays in
the fridge and the more time it has to cool down. Also, use a low flow pump
for the same reason, too big and the water circulates too fast to cool. The
fridge is less than $60 at Wal-Mart, and even including the price of the
tubing and pump, the whole cost is less than $100.

[Anthony Pruitt]

"Juan Valdez" > wrote in message
...
> Does it exist?
>
> I live in Los Angeles, and my apartment heats up considerably during
> the day. Usually air-conditiong isn't needed here (where I live in
> LA), but sometimes it can go a few days with high temps.
>
> I read somewhere about running airline tubing through a dorm fridge,
> and circulating water through that. Anyone ever try this?
>
> I'm not going to set my tank (30 gal) up until I solve this problem.
> I'm open to suggestions.
>
> Thanks,
> Juan
>

Sorry, I didn't notice the first time I read your post.........don't use
airline tubing, it's too small, use 3/8" to 1/2" tubing.

[Dan Norgard]

And be sure you don't get a refrigerator that is known as a "hot-wall"
condensor...where the condensor coils are just inside the side walls. drill
those and you'll get one huge surprise. They were popular in the older days
and I doubt they still use that technology. But if you get a used reefer
just make sure the coils are on the outside, either back or bottom. If you
lay it on it's sid eto drill, besure to let it sit upright at least 12 hours
before plugging it in. Otherwise the compressor will suffer.

Dan


"Juan Valdez" > wrote in message
...
Does it exist?

I live in Los Angeles, and my apartment heats up considerably during
the day. Usually air-conditiong isn't needed here (where I live in
LA), but sometimes it can go a few days with high temps.

I read somewhere about running airline tubing through a dorm fridge,
and circulating water through that. Anyone ever try this?

I'm not going to set my tank (30 gal) up until I solve this problem.
I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks,
Juan

[B]

This post from Marc in March this year
points to an A/C mod DIY chiller that
is much better than the Freezer Mod......

From: "Marc Levenson" >
Newsgroups: rec.aquaria.marine.reefs
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2004 6:49 AM
Subject: Re: Chiller recommendation


http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=177020&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

http://www.dfwmas.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard/ikonboard.cgi?s=ec067688831c591a7a8cd6d606131ebe;a ct=ST;f=1;t=2371

I think the A/C mod is the best way to go, actually. No noise, no heat, and
something that is made to last a long long time.

Marc
"Juan Valdez" > wrote in message
...
> Does it exist?
>
> I live in Los Angeles, and my apartment heats up considerably during
> the day. Usually air-conditiong isn't needed here (where I live in
> LA), but sometimes it can go a few days with high temps.
>
> I read somewhere about running airline tubing through a dorm fridge,
> and circulating water through that. Anyone ever try this?
>
> I'm not going to set my tank (30 gal) up until I solve this problem.
> I'm open to suggestions.
>
> Thanks,
> Juan
>
>

[B]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=177020&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

http://www.dfwmas.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard/ikonboard.cgi?s=ec067688831c591a7a8cd6d606131ebe;a ct=ST;f=1;t=2371

I think the A/C mod is the best way to go, actually. No noise, no heat, and
something that is made to last a long long time.

Marc
"Juan Valdez" > wrote in message
...
> Does it exist?
>
> I live in Los Angeles, and my apartment heats up considerably during
> the day. Usually air-conditiong isn't needed here (where I live in
> LA), but sometimes it can go a few days with high temps.
>
> I read somewhere about running airline tubing through a dorm fridge,
> and circulating water through that. Anyone ever try this?
>
> I'm not going to set my tank (30 gal) up until I solve this problem.
> I'm open to suggestions.
>
> Thanks,
> Juan
>
>

[rich]

Has anyone had any experience with these.

I am worried about temp fluctuations or freezing the tank :) How do you
control the temperature?


"Juan Valdez" > wrote in message
...
> Does it exist?
>
> I live in Los Angeles, and my apartment heats up considerably during
> the day. Usually air-conditiong isn't needed here (where I live in
> LA), but sometimes it can go a few days with high temps.
>
> I read somewhere about running airline tubing through a dorm fridge,
> and circulating water through that. Anyone ever try this?
>
> I'm not going to set my tank (30 gal) up until I solve this problem.
> I'm open to suggestions.
>
> Thanks,
> Juan
>

[B]

if you follow the links you will that a digital controller
is used.


"rich" > wrote in message
...
> Has anyone had any experience with these.
>
> I am worried about temp fluctuations or freezing the tank :) How do you
> control the temperature?
>
>
> "Juan Valdez" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Does it exist?
> >
> > I live in Los Angeles, and my apartment heats up considerably during
> > the day. Usually air-conditiong isn't needed here (where I live in
> > LA), but sometimes it can go a few days with high temps.
> >
> > I read somewhere about running airline tubing through a dorm fridge,
> > and circulating water through that. Anyone ever try this?
> >
> > I'm not going to set my tank (30 gal) up until I solve this problem.
> > I'm open to suggestions.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Juan
> >
>
>
>