Cheap Nano Chiller?

OhsCC · 01/26/2018, 10:57 AM

Is there such a thing as a cheap chiller ($100)?

I have a 20 gallon IM peninsula for my office tank in Florida. Weekdays the A/C is on at 72 F, however on the weekend they shut the air down. The weekend temperatures range from 74F to 81F. I would expect it to get to 82F in the summer. Is there a cheap chiller or something else for me to use just on the weekends?

Also, my office is 10'x10' so I can close my door just to cool my office if there is an inside unit available. I can't find a portable A/C that does not require an outside vent.

I think fish and coral will survive these temperatures but I would like to make the tank more stable. The corals look kind of stressed on Monday.

I currently have a frogspawn and green toadstool

billdogg · 01/26/2018, 11:22 AM

Although it will increase evaporation, I'd just get a cheap clip on fan from HD/Lowes and set it to blow across the top of the tank or sump. If it maxes out at 82 you'd be fine in any case.

reeftivo · 01/26/2018, 01:01 PM

agree with billdogg on the fan.

chillers aren't cheap. even the small micro ones are around 200 bucks

here's a link for a micro

https://www.marinedepot.com/CoolWork...yABEgLcyvD_BwE

OhsCC · 01/26/2018, 01:09 PM

I think the fan is my only option unless buy a more expensive chiller.

I think those micro ones are more of a heat sump or evaporation coil system. So they only work if the air is cooler than the tank.

oldhead · 01/26/2018, 01:55 PM

A ziploc bag full of ice

HBtank · 01/26/2018, 02:21 PM

Yeah a fan and use evaporation (you will be using it more than it being a negative, assuming room/tank temps are the same) to cool during weekends, just turn it on when you leave and top-off on Monday. Much cheaper and simple.

ReeferNoob4ever · 01/26/2018, 04:19 PM

A fan will work, but I live in NM and we use evaporative coolers (swamp coolers) those don't require a place for water to drain but you do have to put water in them. They make portable ones.

01/26/2018, 10:57 AM	#1
OhsCC Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 247	Cheap Nano Chiller? Is there such a thing as a cheap chiller ($100)? I have a 20 gallon IM peninsula for my office tank in Florida. Weekdays the A/C is on at 72 F, however on the weekend they shut the air down. The weekend temperatures range from 74F to 81F. I would expect it to get to 82F in the summer. Is there a cheap chiller or something else for me to use just on the weekends? Also, my office is 10'x10' so I can close my door just to cool my office if there is an inside unit available. I can't find a portable A/C that does not require an outside vent. I think fish and coral will survive these temperatures but I would like to make the tank more stable. The corals look kind of stressed on Monday. I currently have a frogspawn and green toadstool

01/26/2018, 11:22 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Although it will increase evaporation, I'd just get a cheap clip on fan from HD/Lowes and set it to blow across the top of the tank or sump. If it maxes out at 82 you'd be fine in any case. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

01/26/2018, 01:01 PM	#3
reeftivo Skim junkie Join Date: May 2008 Location: chino, CA Posts: 3,417	agree with billdogg on the fan. chillers aren't cheap. even the small micro ones are around 200 bucks here's a link for a micro https://www.marinedepot.com/CoolWork...yABEgLcyvD_BwE __________________ I told you not to be stupid you moron!(Stern) Current Tank Info: 60 gal cube/20g tideline sump-mixed reef, Aquamaxx c-tech Ca Rx, Akula 160 skimmer, paxbellum N18, mitras LX7 lighting with T-5s, apex controller

01/26/2018, 02:21 PM	#6
HBtank Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 2,957	Yeah a fan and use evaporation (you will be using it more than it being a negative, assuming room/tank temps are the same) to cool during weekends, just turn it on when you leave and top-off on Monday. Much cheaper and simple. __________________ 80g Aiptasia dominated reef tank.. with fish and now a bunch of berghia! Current Tank Info: 80g tank, re-starting a reef after a zoanthid nudibranch plauge, followed by months of steady and unstoppable STN/RTN, crashed; stayed FOWLR for a couple years, currently an aiptasia dominated reef tank with fishies and BERGHIA

01/26/2018, 04:19 PM	#7
ReeferNoob4ever Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: NM Posts: 523	A fan will work, but I live in NM and we use evaporative coolers (swamp coolers) those don't require a place for water to drain but you do have to put water in them. They make portable ones. __________________ Get a life! Current Tank Info: 20gL mixed reef, 10g mixed reef w/nem & clown, 5g NPS & harlequin

01/26/2018, 01:09 PM	#4
OhsCC Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 247	I think the fan is my only option unless buy a more expensive chiller. I think those micro ones are more of a heat sump or evaporation coil system. So they only work if the air is cooler than the tank.

01/26/2018, 01:55 PM	#5
oldhead Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: New Jersey Posts: 527	A ziploc bag full of ice