Homemade chiller question

i have a question.is it a bad ideal to use copper water line.the reason im asking is.im making a homemade chiller.i could use clear rubber water line,but copper transfers cold better and i need all i can get.im trying to cool a135 gal.tank. one more question is four axolotls to many for that size tank

Wowie! Can't help you on the chiller thing, beyond my knowledge. That will definitely be plenty of room for four axies as far as I know. ^_^ Sounds like they'll have an awesomely large home! Please post pics when you get it set up!

copper is not good for axolotls. I would avoid the copper tubing. I still go by the rule of thumb of 1 axolotl per 10 gallons. A 40 to 50 gallon tank is big enough for four axolotls.

If you have cooling problems their are two approaches you could take. 1 - Use a large tank because if axolotls are warm it is easier to maintain water quality and keep the axolotls healthy in a large tank.

2 - Use a smaller tank because it is easier to cool a smaller tank with a chiller.

Don't discount the evaporative cooling of blowing a fan over the tank.

michael said:

Don't discount the evaporative cooling of blowing a fan over the tank.

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+1 Fans will lower the temperature suprisingly well

You can try stainless steel tubing, or Titanium. I think titanium is what they use in sw aquarium chillers...pretty pricey but effective I guess.

The problem with DIY chillers in transferring the cold to the water efficiently so metal is a good way to go, but ya there may be an issue with copper as it could be toxic. Also having the water flow through the chilling area slowly is often needed so it has time to cool before re-entering the tank. People also have the tubing suspended in antifreeze to facilitate the transfer of the cold to the water.

Stainless steel comes in different grades, but I'd think it better named 'stain-resisent steel'.

I agree with Dave in that Titanium is great, but very pricey.

Running pipes through any medium which I'd not like to be introduced to the tank (however unlikely) is something I'd shy away from, personally.

As Carsona said, a fan such as a PC fan combined with an airstone in the tank will only help :happy:

Ken Worthington said:

Stainless steel comes in different grades, but I'd think it better named 'stain-resisent steel'.

I agree with Dave in that Titanium is great, but very pricey.

Running pipes through any medium which I'd not like to be introduced to the tank (however unlikely) is something I'd shy away from, personally.

As Carsona said, a fan such as a PC fan combined with an airstone in the tank will only help :happy:

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There shouldn't be any risk if you keep any fittings/connections out of the temperature transfer media(antifreeze) because then the only way antifreeze or something would get into the water is if there was an actual hole in the steel/titanium cable. Which unless you put a kink in the line that shouldn't be an issue, and if you do put a kink in the line you probably shouldn't be using that piece. I can't think of a reason why you'd want any fittings/connections in the antifreeze either, since you just need to bathe the main body of coiled cable in it. The connections shouldn't need to be in it.

I suppose if you were really sloppy and fiddling with the tubes getting antifreeze on your hands then stuck your hands in the tank that would be pretty bad...but would also be pretty stupid Alot of saltwater people have DIY chillers that operate safely like this with the cables submerged in antifreeze. I think there is some product for racing that transfers cold even better...like some kinda super antifreeze or something.

I know what you're saying, Dave and I agree with you.

I'm a bit too much of a traditionalist (that should read mediaeval ) at heart, but you're right with the minimal leak potential in a set up such as that.

I just like to be wary of stuff, and use the 'belt and braces' approach......the belt to hold my trousers up, and the braces to pin my 'Mork' badges onto lol *

* Ken, that's too much information.

I am an AC refrigeration tech and have wondered about this many times! Stainless steel does transfer heat well. Maybe use copper coils on the outside bottom of the tank and insulate it well. Let me know if something works!