DIY Chiller

[JonBoy]

Found this project and was going to try it but the wife says no(wife) guess it would be too ugly. http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/diychillerplans/DIY_Chiller_Plans.htm

[CA2OR]

Re: DIY Chiller

 

this has already been posted...but interesting none the less

 

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[reefcam]

why not just go buy one. The money you save in material will just go towards electricity in running the fridge. Unless you use same quality material as the non-DIY chiller, the efficency of the system will be less. To me, it almost like trying to make ice cubes in your refrigerator in the same amount of time as a freezer. Just my thought.

[JonBoy]

my thought too but 20 dollars in materials since i already have a fridge is better than 500 to 600 dollars for a chiller would take a couple years to cover 500 dollars in electricity

[steelhead77]

Depending on size, you should be able to pick up a used chiller for $150-$200. I know, 'cause I have picked up chillers for that price. If you want to chill a 20 to 30 gallon tank, the fridge idea might work, anything larger and it won't be very efficient. I think a fan or two over your sump or display will be more efficent than a DIY fridge chiller.

[JonBoy]

hmmmm ok thanks for the input maybe ill post a wanted chiller in the WTB section trying to get the jump on it for this summer

[reefcam]

Here's another link for DIY chiller.

 

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48798

 

I'm all for DIY stuff, but there are limits to what we can do.

 

Don't make it look like this.

 

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb276/baack1/redneck-mansion1.jpg

[Smann]

I tried the dorm fridge last summer, it all depends on the temp difference for example if your house temp is a few degrees above tank temp it "Might" work. anything more and it will burn up the fridge as they are not made to run continuously. There is a good article on RC on why it wont work. Mine did not work, the garage temp was to high I ended up buying a used chiller

[reef165]

Why hasn't anyone tryed a small chest freezer? I know they have small ones for under $150

[CA2OR]

Re: DIY Chiller

 

because you can buy an actual chiller for the same $150

 

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[reef165]

Ya but dosn't a minny fridge cost about the same? sure ya can get one of craigslist for cheep but ya also can get a freezer for cheep aswell, the $150 I said was for a brand new one. Plus if your talking new, what size chiller can ya get for $150 and how big of tank will it chill? I know ya can get a 1/4 horse used off craigslist for arround $150 but then ya run the risk of it not working or failing shortly after you buy it. I beleave that there are things ya buy used and things ya need to buy new. If ya buy a used skimmer for $150 and the pump goes out ya just get a new pump, but if ya spend $150 on a chiller and it stops chillen then ya might as well go buy a new one because if ya need to fix it ya need to send it out to be fixed and that could mount up to being more than a new one. JMO

[undrtkr_00]

Hmmmm... maybe I'll just plumb the tank up to my kitchen fridge...