18 degree space cost 42 cents per day.
 

Recently saw few of member is trying build up a cool tank for cephalotus and heliamphora. Let me share my lately build which had share with some people.

water pump RM22
soft tube 4 feet RM4
Aluminum box one feet RM4
tube connector x2 RM12
radiator (second hand from car air con shop) Rm10
Silicon glue RM8
water reservoir (found it at home)
power supply (get from old PC)
Thermoelectric from ebay RM40
ice box RM10
heatsink and fan (get it from old pc)

pre test.
http://cblog.cari.com.my/attachments...1172242101.jpg

http://cblog.cari.com.my/attachments...1172242102.jpg

http://cblog.cari.com.my/attachments...1172242103.jpg

http://cblog.cari.com.my/attachments...1172242104.jpg



Result :
http://cblog.cari.com.my/attachments...2050031161.jpg

Tank have't complete as need to setup lighting and automatic switch. Fan life still under stress test, hopefully it wouldn't so fast. Now my Cephalotus and Heliamphora keep inside the ice box at night. Put back to my rack at morning.:1thumbup:

Re: Cool tank
 

Nice setup, wow, those thermoelectric things can really get that cold! Didnt' know I! Is is 220V powered or DC powered?

As for your fan, if you think that the fan is blowing too fast, maybe try buying one of those Variable resistors that they use to control lighting bulbs, dimmer. Just be sure that the capacity is correct for your use. That will help you increase or decrease the speed of the fan.

Lastly, may I know where and how much you got your thermometer/hygrometer?

TTFN
Arvin

Re: Cool tank
 

Arvin,

The component run with Max 15V 10.5A DC. I had connected it with PC Power supply unit 12V 10A DC.

The fan issue not it spinning to fast. Is the humidify cause the fan short circuit. During my experiment, I had changed 2 fan due to above matter.

The digital thermometer/hygrometer I bought from ebay cost me AUS$14 including postage fee.

Re: Cool tank
 

Wow looks like a pro's setup.Well done Eric.

Re: Cool tank
 

Thanks Ali.

After a night running, the cool tank managed to archive 18.5C. Do believe this temperature could keep most of the highland CP. Still haven't install lighting, hope this won't affect the cool result. Will update soon...
http://cblog.cari.com.my/attachments...2060857271.jpg

Re: Cool tank
 

What light do you use for your tank Eric?

Re: Cool tank
 

Ali, I am planning install 36W PLL tube on it. Before that, I need make another cut on the top of box and stick a piece of acrylic board with silicon glue.

Re: Cool tank
 

Nice setup, I like it. Unfortunately, I can't use any electrical item for my terrarium.....

Well done!

Cheers

Re: Cool tank
 

Edward,

I will suggest you to buy the ice box from hardware shop which contain blue liquid. That will be better result.

Can believe so hard to get 2 inches clear acrylic tube at Malaysia. Anyone know where can I get it?

Re: Cool tank
 

Hi guys,

The thermoelectric thing is actually called Peltier. It runs on DC power (low voltage but consume significant amount of current) . When operating, one side will be cold and another side will be hot. It is hard to find in M'sia.

It is mostly used by computer enthusiasts in the overclocking scene to cool down the overheated CPU. Other applications are portable car mini fridge, cup warmer or cooler, etc

Re: Cool tank
 

I have done the same setup for my n.rajah last time but it did not work well.It just cooled few degrees.When doing simulation like urs the temperature go down to 10c.I tried reducing the water amount in my tank,but no success.My tank was at balcony.Hope you have better luck then me.

Re: Cool tank
 

My cool tank already in production. :1thumbup:

Now pending lighting installation which I may to order some part from oversea again.:crying:

Re: Cool tank
 

Eric,

For the benefit of all who want to build one like yours, please give us a schematic layout diagram.

Question: why do you need a heat sink for?

There is a shop in KL near the Pudu market that sells and do products dealing with acrylic. I have seen acrylic tubes in the shop before but not sure of the thickness.

Choong

Re: Cool tank
 

Now this tank is getting more and more cool.........what are acrylic tubes? I don't know any difference between lights, like florescent tubes.

Cheers

Re: Cool tank
 

WOW!!!1 SO MANY COOL GADGETS!!!!!................Well theres only one word that can dexcribe this tank...

COOL!!!!!

Ken

Re: Cool tank
 

This may not the final version, as I still discover some weakness need to be improve. Will provide diagram for all once I am satisfied on it.

The heatsink work as cold plate.

The acrylic tube that I am looking at OD 2 inches x length 20 inches, thickness don't matter.

I only know the electronic street and aquarium street. There is complicated for me.

Acrylic is Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a plastic commonly we called.
Clear mean not color and transparent. I need it to isolate the heat from light transfer in to the tank. Otherwise tank will be a mini macro wave when the light is on without cooling, my plant will be cooked.

Others "plastic" as below.
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Re: Cool tank
 

I saw ready made acrylic tube - 50mm X 1m for about RM100 at a stationery/ art supply store here in Penang this afternoon. Custom order requires high volume according to the sales assistant.

Hope this is helpful.

Re: Cool tank
 

Thanks Athene, that is so expensive as out of my expectation.
Today I went to Pudu Pasar round, found a sticker cutting shop selling it too. 50mm x 2m = rm110. Must sell on 2m length. Now I heard and check with car accessory shop, they might had short one to some people put blue or red fluorescent light under the car.

Found some one from canada selling rm6.26 per feet at ebay. Postage + handling charge around USD10. But now Christmas session, afraid of postage matter.

Re: Cool tank
 

Thanks for the information, eric. I wish you good luck in completing your tank.

Cheers

Re: Cool tank
 

Technical adjustment.

I can't took the noisy of the internal fast spin fan at night. And I had changed it to 5V 40mm exhaust fan from 12V 60mm blower. Guest what... I get another best result at 17.1C from previous 18.5C

Now I had lower one degree and silent mode. (no more Vroo........Vrooo.... at night)

Re: Cool tank
 

Another technical adjustment.

Adjusted the distance on fan and cold plate from closed attach to 10mm gap between. The best result over the night is 16.5C.

Re: Cool tank
 

Lol.......so more technical adjustments? Hope you fix it up ASAP.

Cheers

Re: Cool tank
 

1st tank water to air method, after many adjustment. The temperature value unstable and now get 19.2C only.

Build up second tank, using Air to water method. Best result till 13.4C and still going down.

Re: Cool tank
 

Give up using high watt peltier and water cooling system. ( too many connection and problem exist, including check cooling water level, cooling water quality)

now setup heatsink fan cooling with two 91W peltiers installed. Could reach air 18.2C water tray 17.9C and air 22.2C max when PLL 36W light is on. Need monitor the temperature for few days.

Re: Cool tank
 

Eric, if you don't mind, a picture please. Your vivarium sounds more complicated than any overclocked quardruple cpu computer system.