[scubadude]

How bout just routing another A/C duct right to the sump area? or right on the tank? Just a thought....has anyone tried this?

[trigger happy]

there is a guy on marsh that did this will keep water cool but will increase the electric bill since the a/c will be on all day

[JR719]

I've read where some have converted a window unit to use as a chiller (hvac guys you know). The hot side is outside of the house, copper lines go into a titanium coil where the tank water passes by and cools. All controlled by one or another brand tank controller.

The bad part is the cost. The titanium coil is around $60, then the copper line from outside to the chiller container. Looking around a couple hundred dollars to convert a window unit to do this, plus the coil and copper. I was really looking to do this for my 300 gallon. Then all the technical stuff, high and low pressure, cut offs and such. I felt overwhelmed and nobody local could help me out. I was not going to buy another 500 or so dollars for equipment to complete the project.

The 300 is still not up and running, and have still not found a chiller I like. I would really like to keep the hot air outside along with the noise. I'm still researching though.....

[MarkS]

Originally Posted by JR719

I've read where some have converted a window unit to use as a chiller (hvac guys you know). The hot side is outside of the house, copper lines go into a titanium coil where the tank water passes by and cools. All controlled by one or another brand tank controller.

The bad part is the cost. The titanium coil is around $60, then the copper line from outside to the chiller container. Looking around a couple hundred dollars to convert a window unit to do this, plus the coil and copper. I was really looking to do this for my 300 gallon. Then all the technical stuff, high and low pressure, cut offs and such. I felt overwhelmed and nobody local could help me out. I was not going to buy another 500 or so dollars for equipment to complete the project.

The 300 is still not up and running, and have still not found a chiller I like. I would really like to keep the hot air outside along with the noise. I'm still researching though.....

What you were trying to do would have worked, but there are legal issues preventing your local HVAC people from helping. Your best bet would have been to seek legal help online, but there would still have been legal issues. If you breach the closed refrigeration loop, do not have the EPA required recovery equipment and get caught, its a $25,000 fine and a $10,000 reward for the person that turns you in. Others have done what you want to do, an theres a link on ReefCentral showing how to do it, but it does take some skill and lot of research. The initial tools and equipment costs will exceed the price of a new chiller easy and you'll need to get the EPA certification. Its not impossible, but it is definitely NOT a weekend project for the average DIY'er.