DIY Chiller

[Kbra]

So i'm in the progress of building a DIY Chiller for my reef. I'm trying to find out the most thermal conductive tubing thats reef safe to transfer the heat from the water to my cool air. Any suggestions besides thin tubing?

 

[xrayrider]

Copper tubing transfers heat well. Oh, yeah, you said reef safe. Just kidding, I would check into stainless steel (Marine grade) or titanium, which ever is cheaper and easier to get.

 

[Palancar]

Titanium is the only way to go IMO, we used 316 stainless steel tubing on one of our DIY chillers and electrolysis ate a hole in it. We had one nice mess when the compressor pumped out everything of the cooling system including the oil. After that we went titanium and have never looked back.

 

[Kbra]

Has anyone tried just plain ole thin wall plastic tubing?

 

[wicked demon]

2 words; evaporative cooling. nuf said.

 

[obi]

titanium is your best bet its a great metal for heat transfer

 

[Reeferdood]

Has anyone tried just plain ole thin wall plastic tubing?

Plastic tubing will not work well at all... As a matter of fact, DIY chillers are not a real good way to cool your system, have you tried fans?? I know it will evaporate more but it does work.. I noticed that you are in SLO, the weather there is usually cool enough to open a window or something.. I know, my Dad used to own Mr. Ricks in Avila so you are in my old stompig grounds!:bigsmile:

 

[Harry_Y]

2 words; evaporative cooling. nuf said.

This is what I use as well

 

[AZDesertRat]

Fans and an ATO keep me at 79-81 year round in Phoenix. Thats a 100G display with 30G sump and a totally enclosed canopy with 2x250w MH and 2x140w VHO running 10 hrs a day. I sold my 1/4HP chiller last year since it had not run since April 2008.