WTB Sand shifting starfish @ 2"est

[Heliux]

Id honestly keep it if it was me! if it was me, RS staff are leagues more experienced than me. But id just keep going if he is doing great. Here is what me and my father did to get the temp of my tank down 2 Degrees without spending more than 50 bucks.

You need a Foam box you can get at your local supermarket.
4 feet of sch. 40 PVC pipe
a quite one pump 1200
and about 10f of 3/8inch tubing
and quick release attachments to connect to pvc pipe.

What you do is pop two holes in the side of the foam box near the top so that the 3.8 tubing can go in, coil around, and come out back into the tank. Rest the pump on the ground and cut enough 3/8 tubing to connect the pump to the pvc pipe later.

Ok, lets get down to the details on the intake and outtake PVC tubes.

The intake you want to put a bottom on so that nothing in your sump/refuge gets sucked up into it. Then drill holes in all directions through the tube so that it has enough to take in water at the rate that the pump goes. Get a 90 degree angle attachment along with another short cut out and another 90 degree attachment to give it a hanging over the back convenience. (might have to get female adapters that convert to male, just is what happened to me) At this time attach the quick release fitting so that you can attach the 3/8 tubing to it without problems. This you want to connect to the cut out piece of 3/8 i mentioned earlier so that i is just enough for how ever much you need. then connect the rest of the 3/8 tubing to the output of the pump that is leading into the foam box that is coiling around a couple times then coming out through the other hole you popped.

The second tube i want you to make for the return of the water is half the size of the first, no holes or anything because it is safer than the intake which can get fish and friends caught in there. Do all the same steps with this connected to all the same angle attachments as well, and the quick release. And if all possible put it in a different area of the sump too so that your intake doesn't keep taking the same water after it comes out.

When you have this all set up you want to fill the foam box with enough water to cover the coiled tubing so you have the most heat exchange with the tubing not everything else. 3 times a day i change out 6 regular ice-packs in the foam container because my water gets so warm that it runs through a lot of ice. This does work really well and all you need are the cheap 1 dollar reusable ice packs. It has really dropped my temp 3 degrees during the day all 55 gallons without including the sump. The more coiling the more heat exchange between your aquarium water and the chilled water that you have in the box. Leave it running all the time, and change the ice packs frequently. This does make a difference believe me.

I hope my first DYI was helpful, its late, and my pain medication is kicking in so please pardon my spelling errors.

-THIS DOES NOT MAKE ME A CHEAP PERSON, DOES NOT MEAN I DONT CARE FOR MY FISH BECAUSE I FOUND A CHEAPER WAY OF GETTING MY TEMPERATURE DOWN WITHOUT SPENDING 400 ON A CHILLER THAT I DONT NEED ALL THE TIME. ANYONE IS ALOWED TO USE THIS DIY TUTORIAL AND PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW IT WORKS FOR YOU. ANY QUESTIONS POST THEM ON HERE FOR PRIVATE MESSAGE ME.

Lix

TIPS: Depending on your foam box size, is the amount of ice-packs you put in there. Try to keep as many in there as you can fit under the water with the coils. What also helps is a lid for the box to reduce extra heat in there. When your connecting the PVC pipes together don't forget to use plumber tape around the rings to keep any leaks. Depending on the person you can glue the PVC together at the joints for additional support, but thats totally your choice.

-Will post more updates on improvements and/or forgotten details, but i have covered all the necessary basics to make it run smoothly.

[SoccerBum474]

i think i might do this DIY.... i already have an extra pump laying around, i have a box, pvc, and i have a lot of ice packs. i would just have to get some tubing from homedepot. but i dont know if i have enough room in my stand to have such an operation

[Frankie]

Cool project Lix. Thanks for sharing!

[Heliux]

Thanks, ya you want to use smaller tubing so the more surface area exposed to cold water so 3/8 i found to be fantastic with being able to keep up with the pump's speed and everything. Just make sure to measure and everything so your not pushing it to close. But it really does work, takes a couple changes of ice, but it adds up and you will start to see a difference.

KEY THING TO WATCH OUT FOR, MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT FIGHTING YOUR HEATER BECAUSE WILL BE STRESSFUL NOT ONLY TO THE FISH AND TANK, BUT TO YOU AS WELL. SO KEEP AN EYE ON THE LIGHT AND NEVER TRUST THE DIAL AT THE TOP.

Lix

P.S. any questions you know how to reach me

[lcstorc]

Originally we were going to do something similar with a small refrigerator. There are a number of people who have done it here. Never actually tried but it was the same concept and you wouldn't have to change ice packs but it does take more electricity.

[Heliux]

ya, i know there is, sorry for the red font but you wouldnt believe how many people bash me over that. Say im "To cheap" and that i "Dont truly care about my fish". Kinda like a disclaimer i suppose.

[Jeremy0322]

I was contemplating it but i think i may try to one using a dehumidifier, i saw instructions for it somewhere and found one today that someone was willing to just give away, so there is a chance i will see how that works out.

[lcstorc]

I have no problem with it Heliux. You clearly want to do what the fish need and in fact it took more effort to come up with the idea and to change the ice packs then it would to buy a chiller.
I was actually showing approval not a problem.

[Heliux]

Thank you, sorry kinda hard to judge positions through text.