Water chiller/ ice probe for one 5g bubble bucket

Hello everyone im new to the site and hydroponices, recently I built a 2x2x5 grow box and purchased a 300w led along with a 5g bubble bucket. I'm getting everything ready for my first grow my question is, my garage is 85 degrees is it okay to use a ice probe or water chiller for a single 5 gallon bucket. I'm also looking to buy a portable ac unit for the garage temperature but right now I'm trying to get my bucket in order please help me out

leave the bucket setting on the concrete floor if possible, that`ll help with the res temps. the ice probe maybe worth the expense and effort, a chiller would be expensive way to cool just a few gallons. that's my 2 bits.....

If your strapped for cash make one of these for when the lights on and daytime temp is higher then 78 , just have a inlet on your grow box and have the cool air blowing in to maintain temp inside your box

Thanks for your replies a ice chest cooler sounds better than a portable ac unit. but how about my 5g buckets temp should i put a ice probe in it

If you can keep your room tent temp around 76 and lower should be fine

Thanks for the big tip!

cannabisclub said:

Thanks for the big tip!

Click to expand...

Last year during my first grow, (DWC 5 gallon buckets), my temps were in the low mid 80's and I didn't have any root issues and they grew out real good. I did throw frozen bottles of ice in once in a while when the temps were in mid 80s however.

I investigated chillers and other things to use for the 5 gallon buckets but IMO there is no real cost effective way to do it. I personally would just buy a large tote ($10.00 or less for a 20-30 gallon or so) and fit it to accept your current netpots/ bucket lids. It will stay much cooler.

If you switch to an ebb and flood system or dutch pot recirculating. you dont have to worry about using a chiller..

I think you're doing the right thing, I would go with a larger container than a 5 gallon bucket if you're gonna use a ice probe.. As time goes on, that rootball will displace more and more water. Anyways a bigger container is to your advantage, slower for the temp to change, ph and ppm will be more stable with a larger container.. etc..

save that igloo for your dwc chamber and your room temps can be a little high without affecting your water temps.

Plus an iceprobe cools one side while the other side gets warm (the part outside the bucket transfers heat).Where does it transfer this heat too?
Your room.

dbkick said:

Plus an iceprobe cools one side while the other side gets warm (the part outside the bucket transfers heat).Where does it transfer this heat too?
Your room.

Click to expand...

Why would that matter? If the probe is cooling the water. Thats all ya need. I like my room about 80· It helps the stomas open in warmer temps.

Kmadewell said:

Why would that matter? If the probe is cooling the water. Thats all ya need. I like my room about 80· It helps the stomas open in warmer temps.

Click to expand...

just so you know, you are replying to a 7 yr old post.

rkymtnman said:

just so you know, you are replying to a 7 yr old post.

Click to expand...

I know, but I still figured someone would respond if Im wrong. Seems like alot of old dead threads on this forum

I have a 5 gallon bubble bucket and for a while i was growing in an attic i would simply take a liter water bottle and freeze it and toss it in the bucket during the daylight hours..ine other expense i skipped was putting a humidifier in the tent ( which also creates heat) and would simply hang a hangar on the crossbars and hang a couple of wet towels on it..instant humidity

K check out this thread.. It was quite successful.. It's a 6 year old thread.. First Grow - Casey Jones - DWC - SCROG - Ice Probe Thermoelectric Chiller | 420 Magazine ®

Thank you. Ive been looking for an ice probe for weeks. Finaly found one. Several sites say they are discontinued. The company I bought it from doesnt even have it in stock. Its on back order. Says they're getting 30 this week but 22 are already bought and paid for in advance. Im still skeptical that they are even getting one. But , I paid for it anyways ($159) . figured it will pend till ships and if not. The pend will drop off.

if your going to put the bucket on the floor to cool, make shure the bottom is dead flat, some plastic buckets have a small rim that go's around the base, it will make a differance

I ran dwc through summer here without a chiller, grow room use to sit at about 30 degrees for most of the day. No root rot or green shit growing in my res. Should try running sterile before forking out for a chiller or ice probe, just my 2 cents

mpence said:

I ran dwc through summer here without a chiller, grow room use to sit at about 30 degrees for most of the day. No root rot or green shit growing in my res. Should try running sterile before forking out for a chiller or ice probe, just my 2 cents

Click to expand...

What ya mean that your grow room sat at 30 degrees ? Thats below freezing. Im not understanding. Do you mean your bucket was 30 degrees cooler than your room? I wouldnt know how that would be possible either

30 Celery not Fluglehymers.