So I started my first DWC and like most im using frozen bottle water to keep my tank temp down.. It seems to be a real challenge. So what I was thinking on the next go around was maybe get a big cooler for my res... there insulated, light proof, have drains, some have wheels to move with ease and most off all keeping res temp down would seem much easier. What do you guys think?
Won't it stay hot once it gets hot because of the cookery being insulated? Is go with fans, foil tape to reflect light and heat away from the water, and running your air conditioner more. Maybe a window unit.
Yes it would stay hot longer if it did get hot but it would also stay cooler longer as well. I figure with the longer cool time you could manage to keep the temp in check.
I used a 20 gallon Rubbermaid tank that I insulated with an old quilt wrapped in Mylar. I tried fiberglass insulation first but the old quilt worked better. My mutes were still getting warm, the same temp as my room, 75 degrees. The temps were causing slime algae and some ugly roots. I started using frozen water bottles to cool it off but that was a pain in the ass. I finally mounted a 6" cooling fan in the lid, then I ran a 2" ABS intake to the other end, it comes out of the lid and down through the floor where it takes in cool air from under my house. This worked so well that I had to install a fish tank heater in my tank to keep the mutes from getting too cold. My bites stay right at 66 degrees now, I can adjust it to any temp I want but after lots of observation I noticed the plants seem to like 66 degrees f. My basement stays the same temp all year so I'm hoping this will work just as well when the weather warms up. The only drawback I've noticed is I have to add a quart of water every two to three days because of evaporation. I wrapped the intake pipe with Mylar to insulate. If you don't mind cutting a 2" hole in your floor this works excellent. I also have the intake for my air cooled hood and main intake for venting coming in through the floor. An ice chest would work great, it will cost a lot more but would be a great tank.
Mines DWC so I have net pots in the lid a fan isn't a option there isn't enough room and the water is to high when starting clones or seeds to use the side good idea though.
First, I'm not an expert, so keep that in mind! I run a deep water system (stealth hydro) which consists of a large tub that holds 5-6 gallons. My res temps were running in the low 80s with a 400mh. Growing in a bathtub in a bathroom with a fan. By simply putting some water in the tub and having it touch the bottom of the res allows it to transfer heat. My res temps dropped to about 72. I don't know if you can put your plants in a tray or kiddie pool with some water, but that might help. There is a lot of controversy over res temps, and some very successful growers have grown in high temps. If you're worried about root rot, you might try some Pondzyne, available at hardware stores, and very cheap. Eats up the dead organic material and releases O2.
