Low Temp tank?

epond83 · 11-10-2009, 05:04 PM

I plan on setting up a 125 gal tank that needs to be kept around 50 degrees. I'm going to have to get a chiller unit. I'm going to set this up in a detached garage, i don't think it is isulated so this will help. The highest outside temps will be 60 or 65 so i think a 2500 btu chiller should work on that end.

However the lower ouside temps will be around 30 so i need a heater, i figure 500 - 600 watt. The problem i'm finding is that most heaters only have a 68 or so setting. The chiller i should be able to adjust up or down according to the thermometer, but what heater can i use that will maintain a 50 degree tank?

epond83 · 11-10-2009, 05:33 PM

Crap i did the calculations wrong, i need a 10,000btu chiller to get it down to 50 from 60, and like 3,000watt to get up to 50 from 30.

Maybe i'll keep it inside where i only have to worry about cooling....

Lotus · 11-10-2009, 06:59 PM

You could look into a combo chiller/heater unit. They do exist, but I'm not entirely sure on the temperature ranges you can set them to.

Beware the sticker shock:
Store Chillers (Chiller And Heater Units)

The other thing you could think about is a temperature controller unit, which controls both the heater and the chiller. That way, you could set it at whatever temperature you need it. They're supposedly more reliable than the thermostats on chillers or heaters.

Newman · 11-10-2009, 08:40 PM

Sorry i cant provide any constructive info, but im curious as to what you plan on putting into this tank.

epond83 · 11-10-2009, 09:15 PM

Yeah i was wondering if there was some sort of controller for the heater and chiller. Do you happen to know a good place for a controller? i found the ATC-300A which is for heaters only but it does 32-122 so that is a start.

Damn i'm really not trying to spend a ton of money. My brother has a 125 gal. tank that he isn't using and when i'm out of college (in may) i think it's pretty much mine. Eventually my turttle will be in it.

However we wanted to try something that some of the local schools do, get salmon eggs next fall (when this is hopefully set up) then in the spring release them in a stream. There are aplications and stuff WDFW, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to get fertilized eggs and treated with iodine.

Problem is figuring out how to maintain a 125 at 50 deg. Maybe the turrlte tank which is a 75 could be used for this since it will probably be easier with less water.

Most the schools get like a ref. condensor and have a metal bat in the water to chill it. I'm thinking when i get back home i'll hit up the local shops to see if they have something or ccan rig up something for me that isn't terrible exspensive.

i'll have to have him record some winter time temps in the garage to have a better idea what i'm working with.

Newman · 11-10-2009, 09:23 PM

yah, i was expecting a turtle, but the salmon idea sounds interesting.

Lotus · 11-11-2009, 02:22 AM

This is one brand of temperature controller. I think there are several brands out there: Aqua Logic Aquarium Temperature Controller

epond83 · 11-11-2009, 01:28 PM

Ok cool thanks that seems like it is they way to go. I found one used for half price so it might not be too bad, just need to figure out the best place for it and what i'm going to do for a chiller, that isn't going to cost me a ton of money.

I only plan on doing this for a season or two, maybe more if it works out well. But either way don't want to spend a ton of money for a seasonal tank.

Lotus · 11-11-2009, 02:15 PM

I understand that you wouldn't want to spend a lot on the equipment. Most of it is pretty expensive, it seems.

epond83 · 11-11-2009, 03:32 PM

Yeah unfortuanitly that is what it's looking like, guess i'll have to run around to a few shops and see what they can do for me, doesn't have to be pretty my any means.

Thanks for all the help!

11-10-2009, 05:04 PM	#1
epond83 Medium Fish Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 470	Low Temp tank? I plan on setting up a 125 gal tank that needs to be kept around 50 degrees. I'm going to have to get a chiller unit. I'm going to set this up in a detached garage, i don't think it is isulated so this will help. The highest outside temps will be 60 or 65 so i think a 2500 btu chiller should work on that end. However the lower ouside temps will be around 30 so i need a heater, i figure 500 - 600 watt. The problem i'm finding is that most heaters only have a 68 or so setting. The chiller i should be able to adjust up or down according to the thermometer, but what heater can i use that will maintain a 50 degree tank?

11-10-2009, 06:59 PM	#3
Lotus Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 14,777	You could look into a combo chiller/heater unit. They do exist, but I'm not entirely sure on the temperature ranges you can set them to. Beware the sticker shock: Store Chillers (Chiller And Heater Units) The other thing you could think about is a temperature controller unit, which controls both the heater and the chiller. That way, you could set it at whatever temperature you need it. They're supposedly more reliable than the thermostats on chillers or heaters. __________________ Lotus and Ecotank's tanks "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

11-10-2009, 08:40 PM	#4
Newman Super Fish Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 2,746	Sorry i cant provide any constructive info, but im curious as to what you plan on putting into this tank. __________________ Credit goes to Lludu

11-10-2009, 09:15 PM	#5
epond83 Medium Fish Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 470	Yeah i was wondering if there was some sort of controller for the heater and chiller. Do you happen to know a good place for a controller? i found the ATC-300A which is for heaters only but it does 32-122 so that is a start. Damn i'm really not trying to spend a ton of money. My brother has a 125 gal. tank that he isn't using and when i'm out of college (in may) i think it's pretty much mine. Eventually my turttle will be in it. However we wanted to try something that some of the local schools do, get salmon eggs next fall (when this is hopefully set up) then in the spring release them in a stream. There are aplications and stuff WDFW, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to get fertilized eggs and treated with iodine. Problem is figuring out how to maintain a 125 at 50 deg. Maybe the turrlte tank which is a 75 could be used for this since it will probably be easier with less water. Most the schools get like a ref. condensor and have a metal bat in the water to chill it. I'm thinking when i get back home i'll hit up the local shops to see if they have something or ccan rig up something for me that isn't terrible exspensive. i'll have to have him record some winter time temps in the garage to have a better idea what i'm working with. Last edited by epond83; 11-10-2009 at 09:17 PM..

11-10-2009, 09:23 PM	#6
Newman Super Fish Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 2,746	yah, i was expecting a turtle, but the salmon idea sounds interesting. __________________ Credit goes to Lludu

11-10-2009, 05:33 PM	#2
epond83 Medium Fish Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 470	Crap i did the calculations wrong, i need a 10,000btu chiller to get it down to 50 from 60, and like 3,000watt to get up to 50 from 30. Maybe i'll keep it inside where i only have to worry about cooling....

11-11-2009, 02:22 AM	#7
Lotus Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 14,777	This is one brand of temperature controller. I think there are several brands out there: Aqua Logic Aquarium Temperature Controller __________________ Lotus and Ecotank's tanks "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

11-11-2009, 01:28 PM	#8
epond83 Medium Fish Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 470	Ok cool thanks that seems like it is they way to go. I found one used for half price so it might not be too bad, just need to figure out the best place for it and what i'm going to do for a chiller, that isn't going to cost me a ton of money. I only plan on doing this for a season or two, maybe more if it works out well. But either way don't want to spend a ton of money for a seasonal tank.

11-11-2009, 02:15 PM	#9
Lotus Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 14,777	I understand that you wouldn't want to spend a lot on the equipment. Most of it is pretty expensive, it seems. __________________ Lotus and Ecotank's tanks "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

11-11-2009, 03:32 PM	#10
epond83 Medium Fish Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 470	Yeah unfortuanitly that is what it's looking like, guess i'll have to run around to a few shops and see what they can do for me, doesn't have to be pretty my any means. Thanks for all the help!