diy chiller. need thought and suggestions

[iamvictor2k]

i love the idea of putting a sump in the basement! only one problem i live in TN. we dont have basements. sucks to be me!

 

[Zombie]

Then the best I can suggest would be to buy a JBJ Arctica chiller. They are the best for the money. I have used one for years.
Chillers are a lot of money; but what isn't in this hobby?
You can spend a few hundred on a DIY chiller that won't work too well or just save that money and buy a nice chiller.
You could crank up the air conditioning in the room and use a fan over the tank in the meantime.

 

[beaslbob]

From what I understand this does not work compared to aquarium chillers simply because a dorm fridge does not have the heat load a tank does.

I have seen some diy chillers however which used room air conditioners when do have the cooling capacity. But in those the evaporator section was replaced with titanium pipes which were then suspended is circulating tank water to remove the heat. That was necessary to prevent coorsion and resultant contamination of the tank water. But whould up being a $200 item anyway with lotsa work.

So perhaps if a chiller is necessary the industry supplied ones have very good reason for being the price that are.


my .02