Cooling systems

[Fishist]

I have read various threads on TFF about how to keep water temps down during the hot summer months in warmer climates, but haven't been able to find a product available to buy.

I will be setting up my next tank in a part of my house that can warm up to 90f during the daytime in the summer, so I am looking for a cooling system that will automatically come on to avoid high water temps.

Any information will be greatly appreciated.

 

[SirMinion]

This is a subject close to my heart too. Last summer we had a heck of a job keeping the tanks under 83f and had to resort to floating bags of frozen water in breeding traps which helped but was far from ideal.
Thankfully we didn't lose any fish.

This summer I'm planning on installing PC case fans into the hoods of the tanks to pass air over the surface of the water. This will hugly increase evaporation but will definately cool the water.

 

[Fishist]

PC case fans, that's a good idea SirMinion. Would you set them up to pull air out, blow air in or a combination?

 

[Blue Lobster]

Just crank up the house A/C.

Never an issue, I can't live in temps above 75. I show signs of stress and general restlessness. I keep my tank cool.

 

[SirMinion]

PC case fans, that's a good idea SirMinion. Would you set them up to pull air out, blow air in or a combination?

Both, one at each end.
The actual cooling would be done by the action of evaporation from a fan blowing on the water, then the other fan would extract this warm, moist air from the tank.

The same effect could be acheived by opening the hood and setting up a desk fan to blow on the surface of the water, but I don't want fish all over the carpet so I need to keep the lid shut!

 

[xXMrBonesXx]

am i crazy or is there something called a chiller you can buy? or are they insanely expensive?

 

[SirMinion]

am i crazy or is there something called a chiller you can buy? or are they insanely expensive?

1) No you're not (as far as I know!)
2) Yes there is
3) Yes they are.

Chillers are often used for marine tanks where the water needs to be cooler than the room the tank is in, but they are rather expensive although the price does seem to have dropped in recent years.

 

[Fishist]

am i crazy or is there something called a chiller you can buy? or are they insanely expensive?

1) No you're not (as far as I know!)
2) Yes there is
3) Yes they are.

Chillers are often used for marine tanks where the water needs to be cooler than the room the tank is in, but they are rather expensive although the price does seem to have dropped in recent years.

Any idea who makes them?

 

[Fishist]

PHEW I just found some online at the Marine Depot.... they're pricy alright!!

Looks like the PC fan idea is the way to go.

 

[yvez9]

it's cheaper to buy an ac unit for the fish room than buying a chiller for a tank

 

[Fishist]

it's cheaper to buy an ac unit for the fish room than buying a chiller for a tank

Cheaper to run my AC for the entire house all summer too...

 

[Blue Lobster]

I remember way back in college we used to take an old refrigerator and drill holes in the door to run tap lines out. I would imagine if you put a copper coil inside the fridge and set up a pump or powerhead to circulate the water it would work.

Small countertop fridge under the tank?
http/cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ssPageName=WDVW

Copper coil can be found at a scrap metal yard.

Just a thought.

Does anyone think putting the air pump in the fridge will allow for cold air to cool the tank.

Just thinking out loud on the last one.

 

[Fishist]

Does anyone think putting the air pump in the fridge will allow for cold air to cool the tank.

Just thinking out loud on the last one.

I bet this would work too, providing of course that you have a refrigerator pretty close to your setup.

Thanks for all the input everyone. I'm heading towards SirMinions idea of the PC fans which should be fairly straightforward to implement and really cheap too.

Thanks again.

 

[OohFeeshy]

I think the best idea would be to stand over the fish tank and blow it LOL. Ummm... you could give them all tenny ice crems to eat? Forget it, its too early for my brain to come up with anything sensible...

 

[Blue Lobster]

I think the best idea would be to stand over the fish tank and blow it LOL. Ummm... you could give them all tenny ice crems to eat? Forget it, its too early for my brain to come up with anything sensible...

Do you know how hard it is to get chocolate slivers out of gravel? Vanilla only.