Refridgeration mechs?

[instar]

Does anyone know a refridgeration mechanic who could build a small thermo controlled chiller for an aquarium for less than $600?
Id be intrested to see if this can be done, because I cant afford $600 and up for the commercially manufactured ones avail.
So if you know a clever refridge mech Id love to get in touch. Thanks :wink:

p.s. It needs to turn over about 600lt p/h with a temp range between 15c and 25c and be not too bulky.

 

[herptrader]

This is the go. Of course the running costs might be a little high but I am sure it would work:

http://asciimation.co.nz/beer/

 

[Magpie]

Run the water through copper pipe in a fridge.
Or get an old water cooler like schools have.

 

[instar]

Lmao Daavid, what a clever bugger! dont think im that savy (or Stupid) :lol:
Copper is a major no no Mags , it leaches into water, especially saltwater. Plastic or pvc tubing only!

 

[Magpie]

Run it through pvc piping in a fridge then.

 

[Fuscus]

What are you wanting to keep?
Leafy sea dragons? ( if you don't know what a sea dragon is, go here http://www.divegallery.com/Leafy_Sea_Dragon.htm )
Cold water aquariums are awful things to have in the living room during winter.
if you are going to do it then don't bother with pipes, use a power head and hosing.

 

[instar]

Already keeping abdominalis Fuscus. powerhead ans hosing? through a fridge? how would that work? who wants a fridge in the living room (that dosent contain alcohol) or tubing running thru the house either!
I know what sea dragons are, awesome creatures fuscus, unfortunatly, the difficulty level required in keeping them means they are prohibited from the pet trade. rightly so. Al;though large commercial aquariums have had success with them (darling harbour etc)

 

[Guest]

insulate the tubes and run them through the wall.

 

[instar]

Hippocampus abdominalis require temp range between 18-22c. has been difficult to maintain without a chiller. hence the need for one. :wink:

LMAO Lib, cost of doin that I could buy a chiller!

 

[Guest]

lol, well it was onlly a suggestion.

 

[instar]

Re: RE: Refridgeration mechs?

lol, well it was onlly a suggestion.

I know libby, i appreciate your effort! :wink:

 

[dobermanmick]

RE: Re: RE: Refridgeration mechs?

Buy a really good air con and some jumpers ! :wink:

 

[Guest]

RE: Re: RE: Refridgeration mechs?

when it gets hot here i put ice in the tanks, though this is only when its really hot, don't think it would suit what u need .

 

[Fuscus]

RE: Re: RE: Refridgeration mechs?

The abdominal seahorse. Used to be a colony at the wreak of the cerberus http://www.cerberus.com.au/ http://users.netconnect.com.au/~ianmac/cerberus.html (I used to dive there around the time of the collapse) that I used to see regulary. Big for seahorses.

 

[instar]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Refridgeration mechs?

when it gets hot here i put ice in the tanks, though this is only when its really hot, don't think it would suit what u need .

Your right Lib, cant use ice alone, changes salinity, but im using bottles of water frozen, not a precise science by any means, you have to be careful of too rapid temp fluctuations. Have tried ice cubes made of premixed artificial salt water, but you need so many to affect very little change its a bit if a pain.

Mick, I'm using an air con, full bore all day on hot days, works well but id look silly in a jumper and beanie when its 38c or 40c plus outside LOL

Fuscus, Id love to dive, sadly i have a fear of being under water, (Submerge-a-phobia? ) Have to stick to glass bottom boats and docos! :lol:

 

[Jonny]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Refridgeration mechs?

run a powerhead and tubing through the fridge and have the fridge on a pulse proportional thermostat. Make sure you have the probe in the aquarium.

Don't know whether that'll work, just an idea

 

[instar]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Refridgeration mechs?

Um, thanks guys, but i think the thread title is somewhat misleading, i wasn't actually wanting to involve an entire fridge at all, rather a compact refridgeration unit like the one shown here, only home made!
http://www.aquastealth.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=93&HS=1

 

[Fuscus]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Refridgeration mechs?

Shift to Melbourne

 

[sarahbell]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Refridgeration mechs?

http://www.aquariumproducts.com.au/category26_1.htm
try these guys or these ones
http://www.aquariumsrus.com.au/heatersp.htm

both are pretty cheap for chillers and the second ppl do finance if needed

 

[instar]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Refridgeration mechs?

Thanks for the links Sarah but they look like pretty standard prices from what ive found so far
looks like ill end up getting before much longer, set to be a hot summer.
Thanks again.