Originally Posted by LionsRoor

I just recently ordered the new Hydrogen water cooled CO2 generator from Hydro Innovations... after seeing the footage on YouTube I could not resist. Now that it is here, the installation is a bit challenging - there are numerous installation options available but they all present pros and cons.

Anybody with first hand experience in the real world? If you need help with the set-up----let me know---there are many effeciant ways to set it up.

Before I go the chiller route, I would love to hear of success people have had with 55 gallon resi's or smaller - with passive cooling.

I can't be the first one to have one of these things, can I? haha

Originally Posted by atombomb

Not sure if this helps but I race snowmobiles on an asphalt track in the summer, So I built a small cooler that consists of an ATV radiator and a high performance electric fan(for drag cars) and a reservoir (20 gallon Igloo cooler) The fan is mounted to the radiator and blows through to cool off the coolant being pumped through inside. A small pump circulates the coolant and fills the snowmobile via quick connect fittings installed in the snowmobiles cooling lines. This is done after every run down the track as Snowmobiles dont have radiators they have Heat exchangers that are usually sprayed with snow under the track of the machine. After a run my coolant can be near 190f . Most of the time when I change out the coolant it is near or lower than the air temp that its in.

I also use a product called WATTER WETTER which acts as a wetting agent allowing the fluid to cool much faster than if it were plain old water. You can get this at any automotive store by the additives. Just add a few oz per gallon of coolant. It works miracles

Sorry for the banter but thats what I know about cooling outside of buying a water chiller which can cost a pretty penny.

Originally Posted by RollaP

I just bought one yesterday and I'm not sure what style water pump is needed. The you tube video says must have 15' of lift. Is this accurate? If so I'll need a sump pump not just standard water pump. Any help would be great.

Originally Posted by someguyfromtx

There are several style pumps that will create 15' of lift. Some pumps that will work are the Little Giant wizard, Mag 7, and you can even use a 1/6 th hp flotec submersible pump from the Home Depot (best deal for $75, can get online). Good price but you can find them a little more cost effective if you shop.

The radiator and fan is a great way to inexpensively remove heat. Hydro Innovations is going to offer a radiator and fan combo in the next month or so that will sell for about $150, its 10" x 6" x 2.5" with two high power energy efficient fans.

The trick with any heat exchanger used for the HydroGEN is that you want to install it inline on the exiting hot water line. With the super heated water running through the radiator the fans are able to remove loads of heat using very little electricity. The alternative way of installing the heat exchanger would be to have it on a closed loop cooling the reservoir instead. Using this second method is only about half as effective at removing the heat unless you are able to blow very cold air over it.

Originally Posted by someguyfromtx

As far as just using a 55 gallon res, go for it. The worst thing that will happen is that the water will get hot. It won't hurt the unit at all and the water should have time to cool back down before your lights turn back on.

If your grow room is small and semi-sealed you probably won't have any trouble using just a barrel. You can always add a chiller or a heat exchanger later.