Using Well Water to Cool Reef Tank

[ca1ore]

OK, probably a longshot, but is anybody still doing this? If so, any advice or design thoughts. I am in the process of downsizing and dispensing with my 3/4HP chiller. I have a heat exchanger sitting around that I never used because it was mis-sized by the vendor. I was promised a replacement that never arrived . Now that I'm deleting 400 gallons from my system, it may actually be big enough now .

 

[crusso1993]

OK, probably a longshot, but is anybody still doing this? If so, any advice or design thoughts. I am in the process of downsizing and dispensing with my 3/4HP chiller. I have a heat exchanger sitting around that I never used because it was mis-sized by the vendor. I was promised a replacement that never arrived . Now that I'm deleting 400 gallons from my system, it may actually be big enough now .

Hey Simon… I thought you said you were getting out of the hobby. Happy to learn you’ll be sticking around with a smaller system!

 

[ca1ore]

Yeah, I know, I did say that . My sons talked me into retaining the smaller tank (110 gallons). Way to stick to my convictions ......

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

If you have Submerged AC Power Return and Skimmer Pumps, I would ditch them, and switch to the Submerged 24Vdc Return pumps, as there is much less heat transferred too the water. BTW, I did the math, using my total gross wattage rate. For a Simplicity 1000 pump, the payback was about 14 months, the 1600, about 10 months. I was not able to factor in if there was any extra heater usage, but I think it would balance out, as I have to use multiple fans to cool during the Summer. Plus there’s the extra RO/DI Make-up water.

 

[bnord]

Yeah, I know, I did say that . My sons talked me into retaining the smaller tank (110 gallons). Way to stick to my convictions ......

here's to son power!

mine convinced me to get back into diving!

 

[ca1ore]

here's to son power!

Right!

 

[ca1ore]

If you have Submerged AC Power Return and Skimmer Pumps, I would ditch them, and switch to the Submerged 24Vdc Return pumps, as there is much less heat transferred too the water. BTW, I did the math, using my total gross wattage rate. For a Simplicity 1000 pump, the payback was about 14 months, the 1600, about 10 months. I was not able to factor in if there was any extra heater usage, but I think it would balance out, as I have to use multiple fans to cool during the Summer. Plus there’s the extra RO/DI Make-up water.

I don't have any submerged pumps, whether 110 or 24 volt. Once I ditch the 450, heat may be much less of a problem.

 

[Soren]

I have a cistern behind my house that sits directly under a planned addition of a sun-room/veranda that would house my main marine system if I do go this route.
My plans include a closed loop with several piping switchbacks in the cistern to allow for geothermal cooling should I need it. I have not started specific plans or done the calculations, but geothermal sources are probably the cheapest and easiest cooling method available.

Typically in central Illinois USA, I would not need cooling beyond my house thermostat, but I would like to keep plants in the addition, which would require a "greenhouse" portion with direct sunlight that has the potential to overheat the room. I plan to include exhaust fans and keep the aquarium portion in partial/full shade, but additional cooling would be a nice safeguard and could be easily acquired through geothermal use of the cistern.

My lack of experience and minimal specific research are probably not much help to you here, but I do find geothermal considerations quite interesting to my engineering and DIY senses.

 

[ca1ore]

That’s interesting. I collect my RODI waste water in a 150 gallon tub under my deck to the use to water the garden. I wonder if that will stay cool enough run through a heat exchanger. I may try that first.