Project Chill

[apuda2010]

The temperature is rising...tank thermometer reads 26 degrees. With two fans running 24 hours,was able to hit 25 degrees.

Thought a little bit about my thermodynamics classes and was wondering if I can do something better. Here is what struck me...

1. If I can circulate water slowly

2. And circulate it in a cold environment so that it is cooled down

3. Push the circulated water very slowly in the tank

4. I should be able to maintain reasonably stable temps.

[apuda2010]

So here is what I needed....

A flask
Long length of air piping
A slow gph pump (like the peristaltic variety)
And some ice.

This is the flask...a Coleman 1/2 gallon.



This is 25 feet of piping



This is a tiny little filter through which the water circulates to keep the insides of the piping clean



And this is the circulating pump...a Tom Aquatics 3.5 GPH pump which runs very cool and very silent.



Some ice

[apuda2010]

Here's what happens...

The water flows from the tank, to the circulating pump...into the flask (inside which is roughly 20 feet of piping and ice), out of the flask and back into the tank.

This is the temperature at around 10:00 pm when I assembled the whole stuff...



The question is - Will this thing work ?

What do you guys think ?

I will of course keep you updated during the day tomorrow with the temps.

[pinaki_pal]

If it works then i'll immediately try same method for my 2' planted......great stuff....keep us posted

[parthapratim22]

Can you please show me the setup of flask and piping inside that.

[sushant]

for a large tank you will have to change the ice many times a day.

where did you get this pump from????

[sub]

Can you please show me the setup of flask and piping inside that.

+1

[pkattitude]

Nice idea.

Theoretically it will work but it wont be a practical solution as you would have to change the ice so many times. For a tank 2x1x1 you would need half a kg ice to just bring down the temperature by 1 degree. But to sustain it you would need many times more ice. Keep us posted on how the experiment goes.

[SCORPIO]

I have tried this way of chilling aquarium. This process is effective but needs dedication and time. I heard that Gel Ice Packs are more effective in reducing aquarium temperature.

[saikumar]

Looks super boss! A few pestering questions as always from me-

1. How much ice do you use? In gr or liters.
2. How much time does it take to cool down to 25 from room temp?
3. How many times a day does it need refill?
4. Where can I get that pump, or can I use mini filter powerhead?

Cheers and all the very best!