chilling tank without chiller?

[baseballfanatic2]

Any ideas on how to chill a tank without a chiller?

I live in miami,FL so the summers can get quite warm. Last year, tank was about 84 F

Would like for it to be around 78-80 if possible.

Just don't have $200-$400 to dish out for a chiller right now.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

dc fans and deal with the evaporation.
I use them with a digital temp controller. kick fans on and off automaticly.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-Digi...177328?hash=item58d0801670:g:wLkAAOSwT5tWNtok

its a med Diy. DC power much safer.

you can use computer fans or these. all 12v pic a fan set the size of the tank.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquarium-Ch...605039?hash=item1c2d17972f:g:YDMAAOSwGvhT0gYR

 

[baseballfanatic2]

dc fans and deal with the evaporation.
I use them with a digital temp controller. kick fans on and off automaticly.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-Digi...177328?hash=item58d0801670:g:wLkAAOSwT5tWNtok

its a med Diy. DC power much safer.

you can use computer fans or these. all 12v pic a fan set the size of the tank.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquarium-Ch...605039?hash=item1c2d17972f:g:YDMAAOSwGvhT0gYR

That first link is for water temperature? or air?

 

[Acrononomus]

Geo thermal , but you would have to dig down pretty far and get a decent coil of hose and a nice pump, so might be better off with the chiller

 

[Breadman03]

Fans and an auto top off are by far the most cost effective solution. Assuming your sump is in your stand, make sure you are getting fresh air under there or it will all just be warm and humid.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

That first link is for water temperature? or air?

anything. It comes with a probe. You could do it in a fish tank or vivarium or your house.
same mechanism a chiller uses or you air conditioning heating thermostat.
Mine the probe is in the DT of the 55g, controller on the canopy, fans on the back of the tank. in the canopy.
Ive had my first one for 3 years now. I have one for my 30 cube too. Metal halide there.
Yea an ATO is a must.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Geo thermal , but you would have to dig down pretty far and get a decent coil of hose and a nice pump, so might be better off with the chiller

lol.....

 

[hejjo]

dc fans and deal with the evaporation.
I use them with a digital temp controller. kick fans on and off automaticly.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-Digi...177328?hash=item58d0801670:g:wLkAAOSwT5tWNtok

its a med Diy. DC power much safer.

you can use computer fans or these. all 12v pic a fan set the size of the tank.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquarium-Ch...605039?hash=item1c2d17972f:g:YDMAAOSwGvhT0gYR

Chillers are a waste of money. This is the way to go. Works better if you have an algae scrubber.

Didn't know about those little greenhouse boxes. I wouldn't have waited till I had an apex to set up the fans then

 

[blitz49]

Regulate your house temps with central AC or air conditioner. Fans and ATO will be your best bet if no chiller or AC. I would not recommend, but you could put several frozen water bottles in the sump and remember to swap them out every couple of hours.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Chillers are a waste of money. This is the way to go. Works better if you have an algae scrubber.

Didn't know about those little greenhouse boxes. I wouldn't have waited till I had an apex to set up the fans then

algae scrubber has a lot of surface area so more coolong yea. Fwiw the also make one that senses humidity too, and will kick the fans if its too humid like a soggy sump or fish room.
Up to 20 amps, also comes in AC power for house fans but BE CAREFUL diy.

 

[AQSstudent]

I recommend using small clip on desk fans that you can get at target. Usually you can find them for under $15 each, and sometimes they can clip to the rim of your tank. Evaporative cooling can cool your tank pretty well, but an ATO will be necessary (my 75 evaporated about 7 gallons a day during the peak of the summer with four fans on it).

 

[baseballfanatic2]

I recommend using small clip on desk fans that you can get at target. Usually you can find them for under $15 each, and sometimes they can clip to the rim of your tank. Evaporative cooling can cool your tank pretty well, but an ATO will be necessary (my 75 evaporated about 7 gallons a day during the peak of the summer with four fans on it).

7 gallons is crazy!! I can't imagine how much evaporation in a 30 gallon would be.

 

[Russ265]

Chillers are a waste of money. This is the way to go. Works better if you have an algae scrubber.

Didn't know about those little greenhouse boxes. I wouldn't have waited till I had an apex to set up the fans then

sorry but. chiller > skimmer any day of the week imo

to the op: boxfan and ato if you want it below 82

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

sorry but. chiller > skimmer any day of the week imo

to the op: boxfan and ato if you want it below 82

yea depends on max ambient room temp. Some folks just gotta have em. San Diego temps dont swing much except summer In october and I keep ac at 75 ish never gets above 90 in the house in late day and the dc fans worked.
With the controller my evap stays under control because the fans shut off.

 

[Acrononomus]

lol.....

I was pretty serious, it sounded like u were trying to save money ... Geo thermal would work quite well since the temp of the ground is like 50+/- degrees ...

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I was pretty serious, it sounded like u were trying to save money ... Geo thermal would work quite well since the temp of the ground is like 50+/- degrees ...

I figure id only need 1 15'd hole, 14' wide x 3 to do a shallow geotherm heatsink cooler, instead of drilling. Doesnt cool as fast but a better stable regulator by size n vol. Torque not Rpm.
But I cant get a back hoe in my back yard.

 

[Acrononomus]

I also have a jbj Arctica chiller 1/3 hp for sale I haven listed it yet, it has 1 year use on it.... Has just been sitting in my attic for the last year...

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I also have a jbj Arctica chiller 1/3 hp for sale I haven listed it yet, it has 1 year use on it.... Has just been sitting in my attic for the last year...

LOL

 

[Bdog4u2]

I recommend using small clip on desk fans that you can get at target. Usually you can find them for under $15 each, and sometimes they can clip to the rim of your tank. Evaporative cooling can cool your tank pretty well, but an ATO will be necessary (my 75 evaporated about 7 gallons a day during the peak of the summer with four fans on it).

Evaporation works great it absorbs the heat as it evaporates thats how air conditioning works

 

[rayn]

My tank was hovering it the low to mid 80 before I added a single clip fan. Now it's a steady 80.4. Fan is hooked to my apex and turns on and off at certain temps. Made a major difference.