Hi Everyone! I am newly back into the hobby and am building a reef. I am having the worst problem with temperature control. I have a 65G, sump, skimmer, LR, LS and live in Orlando, Florida, Where heat is a factor most of the year. I would appreciate recommendations on a complete system, chiller, heater and controller. Price is a factor and I'm hoping to get all for about $300 if possible. Thanks.
Temperature Control advice needed
- Thread starter tomlando
- Start date
Dudester
Premium Member
Check out the Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper 2. It will run you less than $300 and will control your lights, pumps, fan(s) or chiller, heater(s), and can also monitor (but not control) pH. I have the original ReefKeeper, which does all of the above except the pH monitoring functioning, and I love it. I live in Texas where, like you, it gets quite hot, and my tank temp is maintained between 79 and 81 degrees.
examiner
New member
I've never heard of a DIY to turn a dehumidifier into a chiller. How can that be accomplished?
As far as a "do-it-all" controller, the Reefkeeper as mentioned, along with the Aqua Controller Jr. are probably the best bets at the price point you mentioned. But both of them will suck up most of your $300 budget.
If you are looking for a basic temp controller, the dual stage Ranco can control both a chiller and a heater for about $100 (if you DIY the wiring). Don't underestimate the cooling effect of well placed fans, even in warm climates. Evaporative cooling is a powerful thing.....
As far as a "do-it-all" controller, the Reefkeeper as mentioned, along with the Aqua Controller Jr. are probably the best bets at the price point you mentioned. But both of them will suck up most of your $300 budget.
If you are looking for a basic temp controller, the dual stage Ranco can control both a chiller and a heater for about $100 (if you DIY the wiring). Don't underestimate the cooling effect of well placed fans, even in warm climates. Evaporative cooling is a powerful thing.....
)
markandkristen
Active member
you can also run a fan in the sump. in addition to the controller
A dehumidifier has refrigerant and is in essence an A/C unit. It removes the moistureand then reheats the air.If you run the evaporater coil in an insualted container of fresh water and then run the tank water through a poly coil in the container. The controller could turn off the unit and a small circulating pump. I read that online.
Central air does wonders, but I've asked myself many times why I'm paying to keep the entire house cool when I'm at work or on vacation when it's only my tank that I want cool. I've been looking for a cheaper way to keep my house cool during the summer as well. I think one of the first things I need to do is get my tank away from the window.
Along this subject, I keep a small refrigerator near my tank. Has anyone tried doing something like running tank water through a refrigerator to cool it? I've been considering this, but wondering how practical it would be. I tend to shudder at the price of the average chiller just like tomlando.
Along this subject, I keep a small refrigerator near my tank. Has anyone tried doing something like running tank water through a refrigerator to cool it? I've been considering this, but wondering how practical it would be. I tend to shudder at the price of the average chiller just like tomlando.
Yes you can drill a 1/2" hole on one side and the other side run about 2 ft of hose thur it to kep inside the fridge and have it come out the other side. silicone the holes to the holes and thatis it the slower the water the colder the water the faster well you know ..
HTH
HTH
Thorium
Premium Member
If your looking for a good controller without a lot of extra jazz to control your heat and cooling devices I would also recomend the Ranco unit. Ive been running one and its worked out great. I have a jbj 1/10 HP chiller (works great) and heater hooked up to it. Heres a link where I got mine. http://diyreef.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=68&products_id=212
compulou
In Memoriam
Dudester,
BTW the new ReefKeeper II will monitor AND CONTROL PH.
I just ordered a Reefkeeper II a week ago and hope it will be here soon enough. I think it's as close a complete package you'll find for the price. Maybe I'll buy an ORP controller later on. The RK II still has hope for an ORP as I read somewhere on their website that it is not out of the question as the software on the RK II is upgradable.
BTW the new ReefKeeper II will monitor AND CONTROL PH.
I just ordered a Reefkeeper II a week ago and hope it will be here soon enough. I think it's as close a complete package you'll find for the price. Maybe I'll buy an ORP controller later on. The RK II still has hope for an ORP as I read somewhere on their website that it is not out of the question as the software on the RK II is upgradable.
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