Ice packs to chill tank in summer?

[Coasting]

I use dollar store plastic ice packs....
Largest size of cryowhatever was $1 and is easier to get family to use in the tanks. They poopooed the water bottle idea but then again some people lack common sense in some areas.... anyway works well so far. Been using that brand for a few years as i beat them up for work and travel and dropping on cement and everything else and no leaks.

[davej]

My $30 chiller. Tank is at steady 77.8 to 78.3. Heater comes on now and again . Rich if you want I can help you set one up.










My next step is to use a solenoid I already have to cut off flow when temp gets low enough.

[GoFish]

Originally Posted by davej

My $30 chiller. Tank is at steady 77.8 to 78.3. Heater comes on now and again . Rich if you want I can help you set one up.

My next step is to use a solenoid I already have to cut off flow when temp gets low enough.

This isn't another how to waste water thread Dave
Looking for something a little more environmentally friendly, I'll buy a chiller long before going that route so I can be responsible for my own consumption. Those of us who don't have water meters or pay for our water should consider ourselves lucky, for now anyway

[GoFish]

Update
I floated the 4 cups of frozen water in the ziploc to the tank a while ago. Left it in for about 1/2hr and was totally thawed

Before 81.8 f
After 80.8 f
Ambient temp in house is 83 f (based on digital thermostat)

Tomorrow I'll be using 8 cups in a ziploc and see how that goes

[dcw1sfu]

I've given in and have a quote tommorow on a central AC unit as both the tank any the family need cooling. House has been upwards of 87 and the hottest my tank has gotten is 82 and it's only the beginning of July...

[reefmandan]

I don't know why people bother with frozen water. Water has one of the highest heat capacities of anything on this planet, that is, the ability to absorb or give off energy without greatly affecting the temperature.

Evaporative cooling (i.e. using a fan) works wonders, and is far more economical than using frozen water. Placing a fan on top of your tank or in your sump is usually enough to deal with any issues, and when combined with a controller works wonderfully.

[Animal-Chin]

Originally Posted by dcw1sfu

I've given in and have a quote tommorow on a central AC unit as both the tank any the family need cooling. House has been upwards of 87 and the hottest my tank has gotten is 82 and it's only the beginning of July...

Excellent, I'm loading my live stock into buckets and moving my coral/fish/dogs/family into your place! Maple Ridge is INSANELY hot this year...lol

[e46er]

Originally Posted by dcw1sfu

I've given in and have a quote tommorow on a central AC unit as both the tank any the family need cooling. House has been upwards of 87 and the hottest my tank has gotten is 82 and it's only the beginning of July...

Who is coming to quote it?

[Bblinks]

Originally Posted by davej

My $30 chiller. Tank is at steady 77.8 to 78.3. Heater comes on now and again . Rich if you want I can help you set one up.










My next step is to use a solenoid I already have to cut off flow when temp gets low enough.

That looks good buddy, I can always use the waste to water my plants.

[gregzz4]

Bryant, I tried the ice idea years ago in desperation. I was running freshwater tanks back then and even went so far as to put the canister filters in buckets of cold water.
With a 36g and 125g I went through 2 bags of ice in a couple hours and no help on the big tank. The little tank faired a bit better, but it wasn't enough. Although the bucket trick kept the 36 below 85f ...
I bought chillers the next day.

As for the heat they put out, ya it can add up. It could be 80 in the living room where my 75g is, but it would easily hit 85 in my office where the sump and chiller are. Don't know if you caught it last year but I run the chiller exhaust outside now using a couple fans etc. BIG difference.