My nano chiller

[finless]

I know this should probally be in the DIY thread. But I made a chiller for my nano.
I had a portable fridge(about 1 cubic foot) that can plug up to a car or household current.
I took it apart and it seemed pretty simple. With some modifying I got it to work.
It's the same concept as the IceProbe chiller. instead of a probe I have a stainless steel plate. I don't think it will hurt anything. most all pumps have stainless screws. If it does I cant put a light coat of aquarium silicone over it.
It dropped my temp from 82.6 to 78.1 and with the heater I'm consistant!
I thought I'd share. It's my first nano and I didn't have to spend $500+ for one!
Next I'll get a controller.(unless I can find out a way to make one.)

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[Joshua Tree]

Looks dangerous to me.

 

[finless]

how so?

 

[TheGMan]

I'm a little confused. What type of tank do you have and how does it connect and provide cooling?

 

[mattyice]

i hope there wasnt any refrigerant in there

 

[TriniReefer]

i would really like to see a step by step how u did it.pm me about how u did it or post it up on the diy forum.my brother has a fridge just like that up in the attic i think i could mod into a chiller.i'd really appreciate a step by step.

 

[BLKTANG]

BRILLIANT !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[finless]

My fridge had a stainless plate in the inside with 4 screws. It was the only thing that got cold. So I took it apart and all the parts with it all together. pluged it up and just the plate that was screwed to anotherwas all that got cold. It works just like the Ice Probe by cool works. MarineDepot dosn't show you the rest of it that makes it work.(the tan box)
I drilled a hole in the side of the sump the size of some washers(3 total to match the thickness of the sump) to transfer the cool better than just 4 screws. I siliconed around the washers and screws so the stainless steel plate would help seal it from leaks.
I mounted the controll box and pluged it up. And it works. To really do it right I need to get a chiller/heater controller.
Very simple not as neat as the Ice Probe but I didnt pay over a $100 either. I like to Do It Myself.

It uses Thermoelectric technology to directly convert electricity into cooling power.

 

[finless]

My tank is a acrylic cube I got from my inlaws flower shop.approx 35gal. with a 32 gal sump I built out of lexan. I just got it all running on Christmas day.
You can see the donor(fridge) in the bottom right of the stand

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[adawg88]

seems to me all that you have there is a rigged up heatsink. You can get those at any PC supply store.

 

[TheGMan]

More details please

 

[finless]

Geees people, has anyone ever seen or used a portable fridge?.
How do you think they work? Thermoelectric, No refrigerant.
Look at the Cool Works Ice Probe at MarineDepot or etc. The same thing I just used a portable fridge I had laying around.
Its so simple theres no more details to give.
I simply transfered it from the fridge casing to my sump.
And it still works.
Look at the pic a little closer you can see a tanish white box to the right w/a little green LED, thats the brains.
oh its rigged, like right to the sump.
I did not buy anything extra to make this work. I kept it all in tack and just mounted it to the sump.
Don't doubt me its not a scam I'm not making a penny off this.
Its not dangrous. no electical comes close to the water
BLKTANG I'm glad you feel me. Thanks


sorry I had to vent

 

[cashman95]

Finless, your nano chiller is genius!

Fellow Reefers,
I went by Finless's house today and saw this chiller "Ice Probe" in actions. Let me tell you, it works! This little probe was cold!!!! Its not just a heatsink guys, and NO refrigerent. Its Thermoelectric...look it up if you dont know what that is. Spend less time criticizing, and more time researching!!!!

Its really pretty simple, although explaning how he did it would probably be harder to do than just taking apart one and seeing for yourself!

Again Good Job Finless!