Chiller for DWC, NOT RDWC

[cwillis11b]

Hello all, I have been searching for some information on this and no matter how hard I do, I just can’t seem to find an answer, so I’m looking for some help. Quick question, is there, and if so what and how can I use a chiller for DWC? Every post I see states that a chiller can only be used in RDWC applications. I will eventually go to RDWC, but currently my grow is DWC. Looking for options and links to products. Any help on this would be much appreciated.

P.S
Been using the frozen bottle method for now, and it’s getting old and tiresome

 

[rkymtnman]

run a chiller into a wort chiller (stainless) which you could put in each bucket.

 

[cwillis11b]

How do you actually set all that up?

How does the chiller hook up to the wort chiller ?

 

[rkymtnman]

have a tub with a submersible pump pumping thru the chiller out to the wort chiller(s) and back to the tub.

 

[cwillis11b]

Got it. Thx

 

[firsttimeARE]

Got it. Thx

Well those wort coils run like $50/per that will get pricey.

I'd use ice bottles until you step up to rdwc

 

[Major Blazer]

A peltier chip will work on a single bucket

You can also do a remote reservoir with a water pump for a conventional chiller. Some people just drop a water pump into their 1 bucket.

 

[Kami Samurai]

https://www.amazon.com/IceProbe-Thermoelectric-Aquarium-Chiller/dp/B001JSVLBO?keywords=water+chiller&qid=1536708599&sr=8-5&ref=mp_s_a_1_5

 

[mytwhyt]

https://www.rollitup.org/t/ice-probe-5-gal-cooler-thermostat-end-of-heat-problem.940364/

 

[Kid Kannabi5]

Paint black buckets white. That saved me a few degrees.

 

[Outdoorhydro]

Me being cheap, would leave me to a few options. The cheapest option would be if you had a water cooler Tower that you don't use anymore. You could take it apart and put the coil that cools the water right into your bucket with a thermostat. The next cheapest option will be to use are reflective bubble insulation on the outside of the bucket and using your water bottle method. The most ideal option but cost you at least 50 bucks would be an adjustable ice probe.

 

[TIMtoKILL]

Any chiller is going to require some kind of pump which pretty much turns it into a RDWC.

 

[Kid Kannabi5]

Summer is over and it's almost harvest time. Why not just keep freezing 1 liter bottles? I know its a kinda lame method and have to constantly freeze bottles, but so close now.

 

[Airwalker16]

Do not buy an ice probe. It has to be sticking in to the bucket requiring Hole drilling, gaskets, and a bulkhead.
As @Major Blazer stated, spend the $25-50 on a simple Peltier chip setup. They can chill 5-10 gallons to 66*-68*F easy. You'll need the proper power supply, tubing, and small water pump. Use a thermostat outlet that turns off everything once you hit your set temperature. Including the pumptemoerature because it just heats the water. BUT there are small INLINE pump s that you could use instead which would greatly increase chilling capacity losing that heatsink in the water. Also, do insulate the bucket if you can. Car window sun blocking visors are perfect for it.

 

[OldMedUser]

I made a chiller for my DWC grows in Rubbermaid tubs out of an old water cooler. fountain pump and 15' of 3/8" plastic food grade tubing. Fountain pump goes in the tub and pumps the nutes up to the cooling tank I filled with anti-freeze then back to the tub. Turned the cooling down as low as it would go and have to keep the cooler on a timer with it on only 15 min each hour or the tub would get too cold. Tried the timer on the pump first and the nutes froze in the tubing. Need to wrap the tubing with electrical tape or something to block the light where it's exposed. Couldn't find black tubing in that size.

Got another pump to be able to do 2 tubs but haven't needed it yet.


Some mosquito screen hot-glued around the pump inlet to keep roots out.


Insulation around the cooling tank. Used the same stuff to make a blanket around the tub held on with baling wire.





Hard at work. Cost me $14 for the pump as I already had the tubing laying around the shop and the cooler was gifted years before I came up with this little idea.



I much prefer tubs over pails as you can go three days between top-ups but with a pail you're constantly messing with it once the plant(s) get big. Pails are fine for RDWC tho.