The Official Dwc Cooler Club - Any Kind of Cooler Res
- Thread starter Flo Grow
- Start date
Dr Evil
Member
Since you have that pump on the floor below the water level, I'd install some check valves just to make sure the water doesn't backup into the pump.
onthedl0008
Well-Known Member
Great thread FLO it never occured to me to use coolers this is an awesome idea for peeps with res temp problems or just peeps that dont wanna deal with res temp problems.Im gonna look into finding coolers that will more adequately fit my grow space as well. The sturdiness of the lids also add more peace of mind. Good stuff. PROPS for sure
Weedler
Well-Known Member
Yeah I can do that but I've run pumps year round without check valves and never had an issue... I should do it to protect the investment on the pump will it reduce my air output volume / min?
Dr Evil
Member
I don't know, I've never put the pump on any kind of pressure tester. They're cheap, so if you put them on and it does decrease the air volume you won't be out much. I've had them on my fish tanks before, but as for my coolers, I just keep the air pump elevated.
Flo Grow
Well-Known Member
Thanks OTDL !
I did see someone back in the day use a drill saw to cut a hole in their cooler lid. It was just styrofoam insulation on the inside, I believe. You're right, the lid just pops back on and you have suction too. I eventually want to drill a 4.75 inch holes in my lid but just haven't broken down to cop for the drill saw yet.
He's right about the check valves.
Glad he caught that, b/c I was slippin on it.
They won't slow-up or interfere with your pumps pressure.
Just a safety device so that your water doesn't back-up into your pump if the power goes out, since it IS below your water level.
Most ppl just sit their small pumps on the bucket lid, under the plant.
That's where my 4 port pumps are.
Weedler
Well-Known Member
I'd rather pull out my fingernails then walk into Wally World lol
BeaverHuntr
Well-Known Member
I'm the same way bro... I hit up Target. Step inside Wal Fart is like going to a carnie reunion ....
wastingtime
Member
There is definately a cost difference, but for those of you still having any type of temp issue or need less maintenance without the increased power of a chiller, look up Engel or Yeti coolers. They are made of fiberglass (they cost a couple hundred dollars) but keep ice for 10-12 days in hot south florida sun compared to about 6 hours with those igloos. You could drop 1 bottle a week and have your rez temps constant instead of 1 per day. Being made of fiberglass they are also SUPER sturdy (we stand two guys on top of them on the boats), and would last your a lifetime. They also have any bacterial/microbial non porous coatings inside (unlike plastic which promotes bacteria and algae growth) and are much easier to clean.
for those of you/us in this hobby that cost is not as big a factor and want the best, I see a couple Yeti coolers as a better investment than a chiller because it generates no ambiant heat, easier to maintenance and doesnt use any power. Ill post pics at some point if i get one set up soon.
for those of you/us in this hobby that cost is not as big a factor and want the best, I see a couple Yeti coolers as a better investment than a chiller because it generates no ambiant heat, easier to maintenance and doesnt use any power. Ill post pics at some point if i get one set up soon.
Flo Grow
Well-Known Member
I like my Igloo Marine 5 day with the UV block built into it.
My temps aren't and haven't been an issue since rocking these.
And at $24 each, I can cop a new one every few years if need be.
I bought a little square 5 gal for my clones the other week.
Measures approx 12"L x 9"W x 12"H
I can fit 15 - 18 of the 2 inch neoprenes easily, but will keep it at 6 - 8.
No mother plants, just clones to keep it going.
Clone the last week of veg and up to the 2nd week of bloom.
After 8 - 10 weeks, they'll be more than ready for their shot at blooming, while donating the next batch themselves.
My temps aren't and haven't been an issue since rocking these.
And at $24 each, I can cop a new one every few years if need be.
I bought a little square 5 gal for my clones the other week.
Measures approx 12"L x 9"W x 12"H
I can fit 15 - 18 of the 2 inch neoprenes easily, but will keep it at 6 - 8.
No mother plants, just clones to keep it going.
Clone the last week of veg and up to the 2nd week of bloom.
After 8 - 10 weeks, they'll be more than ready for their shot at blooming, while donating the next batch themselves.
wastingtime
Member
I guess I forget I get a big discount on Engel and yeti. I have noticed it takes about twice as long for the Phd h20 to reach room temp after I fill vs. the igloo, I will see how long it takes to warm back up after the 1/2 gal bottle. There is a big difference in ice holding between them in the south florida sun, about 500% difference if I fill them both with the same volume and dont open them at all. I dont know how it will transfer to res temps though, most likely it wont be as large a difference because you are pumping air through your stones that is fairly warm. Ill run a test on temps when i get it up and running and see if its very noticeable.
It may not work better, but it sure is purdy!
It may not work better, but it sure is purdy!
Flo Grow
Well-Known Member
Have fun and keep us posted of the results.
wastingtime
Member
OK, so reporting back on the Engel vs. the Igloo. The engel kept temp below 68 for 49 hours. Igloo kept it for just under 24h. This was with no plants, R/O water, air running and a normal light cycle. I am not sure its worth the cost, but I had a spare engel.
Cooler res update:
Im not one for posting too many pics, so Ill try to describe this if I can. I made a slight modification to my cooler res that is AWESOME. I has having trouble figuring out how to get inside my cooler to place the bottles if I Scrog (using the cooler lid instead of the foam...Is there any reason NOT to use the lid and use the foam instead on the igloo marine?). I cant see how I would move the lid much without moving the entire screen. I came up with a great idea and it took $17 and about 20 minutes.
1) Find a common bottle size you want to use for your ice, measure Diameter.
2) Go to your local hardware store and find a size PVC pipe that is larger than your bottle. Get 18"pipe, one threaded end cap.
3) Go home and cut a hole in the cooler lid that is the same size as the OD of the pipe
3a) I used two small pipes, the size that would fit a standard nestle water bottle. I put them in opposing corners to even out the cool effect a little.
4) place the pipe into the hole with the threaded end cap sticking out of the lid. The threaded end should stop the pipe from going all the way through.
5) Cut the pipe to desired length. two options I have tried
a) cut the pipe so it is about 1" shy of the bottom of the cooler when its closed, drill it full of 1" holes ALLLLL over
b) cut the pipe length so that it is about 70" of the height of your ice bottle off the bottom.
This allows me an easy way to manage my ice bottle. With the res full you just pop the cap (I only put it in 1/2 turn) and drop the bottle in with a retrieval rope on it). When its time to change, no fishing for the bottle. This way you dont have to remove your lids. This also provides nice access for filling, topping off, sampling water, etc. I made the first one big enough for a 2L bottle, that one you can get your whole arm in if you really needed to.
The only thing I am going to try different next time is cutting the plug at a 45 degree angle with a saws all. It wont be as pretty, but the plug you cut out could be used to make the "cap" so you wouldnt loose that little bit of insulation in that spot.
This worked AWESOME, if you guys are interested Ill see if I can get some pics up.
PS
Flo or BB57, you guys have any reason to not use the original cooler lid with foil tape on it? I taped the whole outside of my cooler anyway, boredom and I thought it might reflect a little bit of radiation.
Cooler res update:
Im not one for posting too many pics, so Ill try to describe this if I can. I made a slight modification to my cooler res that is AWESOME. I has having trouble figuring out how to get inside my cooler to place the bottles if I Scrog (using the cooler lid instead of the foam...Is there any reason NOT to use the lid and use the foam instead on the igloo marine?). I cant see how I would move the lid much without moving the entire screen. I came up with a great idea and it took $17 and about 20 minutes.
1) Find a common bottle size you want to use for your ice, measure Diameter.
2) Go to your local hardware store and find a size PVC pipe that is larger than your bottle. Get 18"pipe, one threaded end cap.
3) Go home and cut a hole in the cooler lid that is the same size as the OD of the pipe
3a) I used two small pipes, the size that would fit a standard nestle water bottle. I put them in opposing corners to even out the cool effect a little.
4) place the pipe into the hole with the threaded end cap sticking out of the lid. The threaded end should stop the pipe from going all the way through.
5) Cut the pipe to desired length. two options I have tried
a) cut the pipe so it is about 1" shy of the bottom of the cooler when its closed, drill it full of 1" holes ALLLLL over
b) cut the pipe length so that it is about 70" of the height of your ice bottle off the bottom.
This allows me an easy way to manage my ice bottle. With the res full you just pop the cap (I only put it in 1/2 turn) and drop the bottle in with a retrieval rope on it). When its time to change, no fishing for the bottle. This way you dont have to remove your lids. This also provides nice access for filling, topping off, sampling water, etc. I made the first one big enough for a 2L bottle, that one you can get your whole arm in if you really needed to.
The only thing I am going to try different next time is cutting the plug at a 45 degree angle with a saws all. It wont be as pretty, but the plug you cut out could be used to make the "cap" so you wouldnt loose that little bit of insulation in that spot.
This worked AWESOME, if you guys are interested Ill see if I can get some pics up.
PS
Flo or BB57, you guys have any reason to not use the original cooler lid with foil tape on it? I taped the whole outside of my cooler anyway, boredom and I thought it might reflect a little bit of radiation.