Forum Shop Market
Seeds FAQ Tools
SEE OUR MARIJUANA SEED GUIDE FOR THE BEST STRAINS
Looking for Legal Marijuana look no further!
Go Back   Marijuana Growing > The Grow Room > Hydroponics / Aeroponics


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1    
Old 08-14-2007, 09:42 PM
FilthyFletch's Avatar
Mr I Can Do That For Half
Mr. Ganja
FilthyFletch is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,749
FilthyFletch has much to be proud ofFilthyFletch has much to be proud ofFilthyFletch has much to be proud ofFilthyFletch has much to be proud ofFilthyFletch has much to be proud ofFilthyFletch has much to be proud ofFilthyFletch has much to be proud ofFilthyFletch has much to be proud ofFilthyFletch has much to be proud of
Points: 87,788, Level: 42 Points: 87,788, Level: 42 Points: 87,788, Level: 42
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Default A DIY water chiller setup
Here is an idea I had been playing with and these are the basics of what I am going to be doing except I think I will use copper piping instead of vinyl but this is the basics of a good sized water chiller for all of use hydro and aero growers as you all know water temps in the res can get little warm and you wanna keep them 68 or slightly under.Here the DIY chiller using few tools and basically some copper tubing and a small mini fridge..
DIY Chiller Plans
  • Purpose: A rather quick and inexpensive method for maintaining a steady system temperature, especially during those long hot summer months.
  • Materials
  • Dorm-sized refrigerator (1 to 1-1/2 cubic feet).
  • 50 to 100 feet of 3/8 inch hard plastic tubing (depending, vinyl isn't as good a choice here).
  • PVC fittings (90 degree elbows or straight connects, threaded or slip).
  • Aquarium safe Silicone sealant.
  • 1/2 inch thin-wall PVC pipe (about 1 foot for the "thru-the-box" connections).
  • Hand drill and 1/2 inch drill bit (or 5/16 inch if you prefer).
  • Screwdrivers to fit the various hardware of the particular fridge you own.
  • Rio 2500 or similar pump/powerhead to push the water through the chiller.
  • Materials Cost Considerations
  • The fridge should set you back $89 to $199 depending on the size you choose.
  • The Rio 2500 runs anywhere from $39.95 (mail order) to $69.95 at your LFS (Local Fish Store).
  • The fittings, tubing and pipe shouldn't run more than $10 to $15 bucks, depending on how much and what style you choose.
  • Hopefully you already have a drill and the bit(s).
My chiller ran a total of $175 once completed (without the 6 pack), still significantly cheaper than a commercial unit. While not as efficient as commercial chillers, this is a viable alternative and will draw your water temp down surprisingly well. Use a pre-set or variable heater to "balance" the temp within the sump and it'll become "hands-free"!
Diagram & Instructions

  • "A"=Water in from sump.
  • "B"=Chilled water returned to sump
  • "C"=Freezer compartment with temp probe attached to the inside wall of the cooling box.
  • "D"=3/8 inch coiled plastic tubing.
  • "E"=The refrigerator housing and inner plastic box.
If possible, remove the metal box that isolates the ice cube tray/freezer section, but leave the temp probe alone. This will give a better overall temperature control within the cooling box.
The more coils, the better the "pull-down" effect and the more efficient the unit operates. Depending on the brand/model that you are using, you may encounter insulation between the housing and the inner box when drilling your input/output holes. There is no need to seal the door. I had originally thought of this, but decided against it as I figured I might need the access if something went wrong down the road. Besides, it's a great place to keep your additives that require refrigeration after opening (and a 6 pack!).
  • Drill your access holes in the top or sides, it really doesn't matter.
  • Cut 2 pieces of the PVC pipe about 4 inches each.
  • Insert through the holes drilled and seal VERY WELL with the silicone.
  • You may want to reinforce these pipes with a little Devcon 5 minute epoxy prior to sealing them with the silicone. Keeps 'em from sliding back and forth and breaking the cured silicone seal should you want to move the fridge down the road.
  • Glue or thread your fittings onto these 2 access pipes.
    • I used nylon threaded nipples to connect the 3/8 inch tubing coils inside the cooling box.
    • Outside, I glued slip fittings reduced to accommodate the tubing running from the Rio 2500 sump pump to the chiller and back to the sump.
That's all there is to it! Remember that the more coils inside the box, the better your cooling effect.
Another point to consider, the farther the run of plastic tubing from your sump to the chiller and back, the greater the line loss due to ambient room temperature. Sit the chiller as CLOSE to the sump or aquarium cabinet as possible. You could use pipe insulation wrapped around the tubingrun(s), but this is rather unsightly and not really necessary unless living in a very hot/humid environment.
Operation is straight-forward. Remember to keep the flow fast enough to prevent freezing of the coils inside the box. If equipped with a thermostat, your fridge/chiller will be easier to control. Some models only allow you to set the main box temperature, not the freezer compartment. That's another reason why I removed the aluminum ice cube divider and tray. The probe that is attached to the wall of the freezer area will now monitor the entire cavity. Try to use opaque tubing to eliminate algae growth from the sump to the unit and back. You will probably get the black, smudged variety, not the bright green that we see in and around the lighting canopy. I used the milky-white, semi-transparent variety of hard, plastic tubing and experienced this build-up after 6 months or so.
Reply With Quote
  #2    
Old 08-15-2007, 12:48 AM
potroast's Avatar
Assistant Principal
Mr. Ganja
potroast is offline
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2,820
potroast has a brilliant futurepotroast has a brilliant futurepotroast has a brilliant futurepotroast has a brilliant futurepotroast has a brilliant futurepotroast has a brilliant futurepotroast has a brilliant futurepotroast has a brilliant futurepotroast has a brilliant futurepotroast has a brilliant futurepotroast has a brilliant future
Points: 8,694, Level: 13 Points: 8,694, Level: 13 Points: 8,694, Level: 13
Activity: 7% Activity: 7% Activity: 7%
Dirty, grimey, crusty, absolutely Filthy!

__________________
Problems on the forum? Contact me here!

Cultivation Consultant and
a Sexual Propagator ___________ Answering growing questions on the Net for 12 Years
Reply With Quote
  #3    
Old 08-16-2007, 08:00 AM
Stoner
Mr. Ganja
wafflehouselover is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 1,144
wafflehouselover is on a distinguished road
Points: 3,601, Level: 8 Points: 3,601, Level: 8 Points: 3,601, Level: 8
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
woundnt copper make a better tubing materiaI to transfer heat?
__________________
Smoke Responsibly

Waffles.
Reply With Quote
  #4    
Old 08-17-2007, 02:09 PM
FilthyFletch's Avatar
Mr I Can Do That For Half
Mr. Ganja
FilthyFletch is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,749
FilthyFletch has much to be proud ofFilthyFletch has much to be proud ofFilthyFletch has much to be proud ofFilthyFletch has much to be proud ofFilthyFletch has much to be proud ofFilthyFletch has much to be proud ofFilthyFletch has much to be proud ofFilthyFletch has much to be proud ofFilthyFletch has much to be proud of
Points: 87,788, Level: 42 Points: 87,788, Level: 42 Points: 87,788, Level: 42
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Copper sure would thats why I added that in the first paragraph.The plastic tubing works well and is good for copper usage paranoia.Somke people dont like metal touching nute water solution but Im going to use copper water line piping when I actually build this thing.
Reply With Quote
  #5    
Old 08-17-2007, 02:30 PM
Stoner
Mr. Ganja
wafflehouselover is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 1,144
wafflehouselover is on a distinguished road
Points: 3,601, Level: 8 Points: 3,601, Level: 8 Points: 3,601, Level: 8
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
i want to use the same concept except use it for cooIing air. I think the refrigerant from the fridge is coIder are there any ac man that can correct me on this? Thanx
__________________
Smoke Responsibly

Waffles.
Reply With Quote
  #6    
Old 08-17-2007, 04:18 PM
trapper's Avatar
Mr.Ganja
Mr. Ganja
trapper is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,767
trapper is a jewel in the roughtrapper is a jewel in the roughtrapper is a jewel in the roughtrapper is a jewel in the rough
Points: 9,346, Level: 14 Points: 9,346, Level: 14 Points: 9,346, Level: 14
Activity: 9% Activity: 9% Activity: 9%
in an article i just read rosenthal talks to a farmer who lost his areoponiccs crop because the the tubes of the laboratory water chillar were copper this caused toxic waste which over a 10 day period killed his plants,but i dont know if this has relivance here,just offering it.
Reply With Quote
  #7    
Old 08-17-2007, 07:41 PM
bubblerking's Avatar
Ganja Smoker
Pot Head
bubblerking is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 377
bubblerking is on a distinguished road
Points: 2,864, Level: 8 Points: 2,864, Level: 8 Points: 2,864, Level: 8
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Quote:
Originally Posted by trapper View Post
in an article i just read rosenthal talks to a farmer who lost his areoponiccs crop because the the tubes of the laboratory water chillar were copper this caused toxic waste which over a 10 day period killed his plants,but i dont know if this has relivance here,just offering it.
good info all water chillers are not made of copper anymore i beleive there made of titanium i know mine is
__________________
Smoking the og kush
Reply With Quote
  #8    
Old 08-17-2007, 08:03 PM
tleaf jr.'s Avatar
420 TIME
Stoner
tleaf jr. is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: detroit
Posts: 424
tleaf jr. is on a distinguished road
Points: 2,088, Level: 6 Points: 2,088, Level: 6 Points: 2,088, Level: 6
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
i dont do hydro yet but when i do this will be helpful
__________________
disclaimer , i have know idea wat im sayin im unconcious 24/7 so its all fiction so if a cop ask me something i will act dumb
Reply With Quote
  #9    
Old 10-18-2007, 08:51 PM
Gygax1974's Avatar
Just some idiot
Mr. Ganja
Gygax1974 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,433
Gygax1974 is a jewel in the roughGygax1974 is a jewel in the roughGygax1974 is a jewel in the rough
Points: 10,278, Level: 14 Points: 10,278, Level: 14 Points: 10,278, Level: 14
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
Fletch is crazy!!! He can build anything, if he builds it it will grow. Fletch you try selling this on GP yet?
Reply With Quote
  #10    
Old 10-18-2007, 08:58 PM
Able To Roll A Joint
Able to roll a joint
outofcontrol is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 75
outofcontrol is on a distinguished road
Points: 1,076, Level: 5 Points: 1,076, Level: 5 Points: 1,076, Level: 5
Activity: 0% Activity: 0% Activity: 0%
filthy you need to delete some msgs, i cant pm you back.
 

Tags
diy, water, chiller, setup

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Thread

Thread Starter

Forum

Replies

Last Post

Club soda or seltzer water to water plants? cheda General Marijuana Growing 40 10-21-2009 08:30 PM
Tap Water, Mineral Water, Purified Water or Distilled Water??? MrIntricate Hydroponics / Aeroponics 18 04-16-2009 02:25 AM
How to water, do I use a spray or just water the soil? VTW3PN Outdoor Growing 10 06-12-2007 10:42 AM
air conditioners/chiller CannaBoss Indoor Growing 10 05-30-2007 09:53 AM
bong water for water source? Vermilion Newbie Central 8 04-15-2007 07:45 PM

Posting Rules

You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Come Check out a new Poker Forum for the online poker community

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:33 AM.
Powered by vBulletin
Copyright © 2000-2009 Jelsoft Enterprises Limited.

Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.3.2