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Re: Hemivett's SolarStorm Grow
by hemivette » Tue Mar 20, 2012 5:45 pm
Well as I said, a quick update. The chiller is up and going. Its been about 3hrs, and it has dropped 3 degrees. (now 79) Probably not the best unit, but if it gets down to 68f-20c degrees, I'll be happy. I thought about adding Some new res to help her get down initially, but I just changed it. I know....."cheap Bastard"! Lol. Peace. h
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Re: Hemivett's SolarStorm Grow
by embeth » Tue Mar 20, 2012 6:31 pm
That chiller looks cool. (excuse the pun). can you tell me more about it? how effective is it? is it expensive?
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Re: Hemivett's SolarStorm Grow
by hemivette » Tue Mar 20, 2012 6:52 pm
embeth wrote:That chiller looks cool. (excuse the pun). can you tell me more about it? how effective is it? is it expensive?
I dont know that much about it, (just plugged it in about 4hrs ago) it has been dropping about a degree an hr though. I paid 140 off ebay, (used) but you can get a new one for about 230. It claims to cool 12 gallons 10 degrees. Ill keep updating the progress. Thanks for dropping by! h
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Re: Hemivett's SolarStorm Grow
by embeth » Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:53 pm
sorry to be such a dunce, but i guess i dont understand its purpose. is it supposed to cool air or cool water? you said something about gallons, so is that gallons of water?
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Re: Hemivett's SolarStorm Grow
by SisterMaryElephant » Wed Mar 21, 2012 12:43 am
Yep, it's for making liquids cooler, often used in aquariums and hydroponics. Warm water can barely hold any oxygen and pythium (root rot) doesn't grow in colder temps either. I prefer 65F-ish, but even 5-10 below ambient helps some.
Disclaimer:
I still use HID and I'm NOT an LED expert. All of my LED knowledge is from other parties or research so I can't say from first hand experience one way or another. I also run a medical grow consulting business in SoCal.
I still use HID and I'm NOT an LED expert. All of my LED knowledge is from other parties or research so I can't say from first hand experience one way or another. I also run a medical grow consulting business in SoCal.
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Re: Hemivett's SolarStorm Grow
by hemivette » Wed Mar 21, 2012 2:06 pm
Update on the Chiller.
After the install, the initial starting temp was 83. Over night it dropped to 75, and it seemed that it was as low as it would go, but I just checked it, and it is now 73. So thats the advertised 10 degrees. I was really hoping for 65-68, and I suppose it could still happen, but it seems to me, it should work more like a fridge, where it cycles on and off. Right now it is running constantly, cause I have it set at 65. I will probably look for a bigger one, and put this one back on ebay.
On the bright side, the plants are loving having even a little bit cooler water, and are eating like crazy. I checked the PH last night after about 6hrs, and the PH went from 5.8 to 7.1. This morning when I checked it, it was 8.3. Can you say hungry! Lol. h
After the install, the initial starting temp was 83. Over night it dropped to 75, and it seemed that it was as low as it would go, but I just checked it, and it is now 73. So thats the advertised 10 degrees. I was really hoping for 65-68, and I suppose it could still happen, but it seems to me, it should work more like a fridge, where it cycles on and off. Right now it is running constantly, cause I have it set at 65. I will probably look for a bigger one, and put this one back on ebay.
On the bright side, the plants are loving having even a little bit cooler water, and are eating like crazy. I checked the PH last night after about 6hrs, and the PH went from 5.8 to 7.1. This morning when I checked it, it was 8.3. Can you say hungry! Lol. h
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Re: Hemivett's SolarStorm Grow
by SisterMaryElephant » Wed Mar 21, 2012 2:50 pm
Yeah, that really is a bit more of a heat load than that little chiller can handle easily. Your chiller probably has a 1/20 or a 1/32 HP compressor. As a comparison, when liquid cooling a HID lamp, they estimate about 1/4 HP chiller per 1000w light. You wouldn't need that much just for your reservoir but a slightly bigger unit than the one you have would certainly help. A bigger res *and* a bigger chiller would be best how good/big you want it is completely up to you...
As you noticed, even a little helps.
As you noticed, even a little helps.
Disclaimer:
I still use HID and I'm NOT an LED expert. All of my LED knowledge is from other parties or research so I can't say from first hand experience one way or another. I also run a medical grow consulting business in SoCal.
I still use HID and I'm NOT an LED expert. All of my LED knowledge is from other parties or research so I can't say from first hand experience one way or another. I also run a medical grow consulting business in SoCal.
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Re: Hemivett's SolarStorm Grow
by hemivette » Wed Mar 21, 2012 3:31 pm
Ya, its definitely helping, and is now down to 72;) The Company claims there 1/13 hp is more than adequate, so Ive been looking at the 1/10. (I believe in overkill) and maybe it wont have to work so hard. Heres the one Im talking about. h
http://www.reefplayground.net/aquaeurousa.shtml
Hate to say it but I may need a bigger pump too.
http://www.reefplayground.net/aquaeurousa.shtml
Hate to say it but I may need a bigger pump too.
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Re: Hemivett's SolarStorm Grow
by SisterMaryElephant » Wed Mar 21, 2012 4:45 pm
Yeah, I was thinking 1/10HP or 1/8HP, if you get a bigger res they'll still handle it. It's better to get one a little too big and have it run a lighter load than a smaller one at 100% 24/7. I'm sure you've been taking temp readings often so you'll know about when your peak heat load is too. That info can help you decide if you need other cooling measures. I've designed an unofficial attachment for the SS, in my mind, that would allow you to add a fan like you would with an air-cooled hid. Since I don't actually have one I can't build a prototype or test it but removing that heat from the grow room might help their users. CLW might want to design their own "supported" version too, maybe they already did... *shrug*
Pumps are pretty cheap. Have you ever seen a needle wheel pump? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hT5jiOWfv0 You'd definitely need a bigger res but I think you'd like the results. My new hybrid DWC is going to use a pump like that in a ~140 gallon bucket, if I ever get all the parts I need, my back gets better and the elec service panel gets upgraded to 200A.
Pumps are pretty cheap. Have you ever seen a needle wheel pump? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hT5jiOWfv0 You'd definitely need a bigger res but I think you'd like the results. My new hybrid DWC is going to use a pump like that in a ~140 gallon bucket, if I ever get all the parts I need, my back gets better and the elec service panel gets upgraded to 200A.
Disclaimer:
I still use HID and I'm NOT an LED expert. All of my LED knowledge is from other parties or research so I can't say from first hand experience one way or another. I also run a medical grow consulting business in SoCal.
I still use HID and I'm NOT an LED expert. All of my LED knowledge is from other parties or research so I can't say from first hand experience one way or another. I also run a medical grow consulting business in SoCal.
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Re: Hemivett's SolarStorm Grow
by hemivette » Wed Mar 21, 2012 11:00 pm
Well temps peaked at 77, and stayed there. Talked to the wife, and we have the ok to go bigger, so once this grow is over I have a lot of work to do.
Sm, that looks the same as my mag drive pump, I use for feeding. It's what they call there air fractioning model. Peace. h
Sm, that looks the same as my mag drive pump, I use for feeding. It's what they call there air fractioning model. Peace. h
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