Seeking opinions on a Peltier junction chiller

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fpsiv

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Sep 25, 2003
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I came across an aquarium chiller being offered by Air, Water and Ice, Inc.. I'm always on the lookout for an efficient and reliable way to knock a couple of degrees off the temperature of my planted tank during the summer. I'm not entirely sure this is any better than something like the IceProbe, but I'd sure like to hear what you guys think.

Thanks!
-fpsiv
 
The IceProbe also uses a peltier junction, but it is only 50w. The first one you mentioned is rated at 70w. I had thought about building one of these myself. The actual peltier junction isn't that expensive, and the rest can probably be put together pretty cheaply. The reasons I never bothered to build one is 1) no cheap way I can find to control the temperature, and 2) peltiers suck up a lot of electricity. I don't know that they use any more than one of the DIY mini-fridge chillers.

I wouldn't want to leave it running all the time possibly fighting the heater to maintain a stable temperature. If anyone can figure out how to modify a heater thermostat or control the peltier some other way, I'd love to hear it.

NOTE: Peltiers can also heat just as easily by reversing the current. It could make a very interesting heater/cooler combination with a good temperature controller.
 
Originally posted by cgrabe

I wouldn't want to leave it running all the time possibly fighting the heater to maintain a stable temperature. If anyone can figure out how to modify a heater thermostat or control the peltier some other way, I'd love to hear it.
Click to expand...

You could use any of the various heater/chiller controls on the market.

The Medusa is pretty popular

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_controllers_medusa.asp?CartId=
 
The Medusa controller looks like a pretty nice piece of equipment, but I was thinking of a simpler setup - like running the chiller off of the same timer that operates my lights. Even at 70 watts I think the 75 gallon tank would be too large a thermal mass for the chiller to drag down to my heater set point.

During the summer (with some careful management) I can generally keep the tank peak diurnal temperature at 82-83 degrees. I'm really just looking to guard against the tank temp creeping up to the mid-80s as can happen when those wonderful midwest heat waves roll through.

Thanks!
-fpsiv
 
Originally posted by slipknottin


You could use any of the various heater/chiller controls on the market.

The Medusa is pretty popular

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_controllers_medusa.asp?CartId=
Click to expand...
I'm sure that's a great device, but the $145+ price tag is a little off-putting. I guess I could always take up PLC programming. :) A simple controller shouldn't be too awfully difficult to design, though it might not be as accurate as a commercial product.
 
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