New RDWC system Chiller Install Problem

BaRabus

BaRabus

Well-Known Member
Hey Guys...

I just received my new Root Box 4 Bucket RDWC system. I have configured it to a 2 bucket system until I move.

However, the problem lies with the dam chiller (35L more than enough for the system) I bought. I'm trying not to send it back if You guys can help me configure a way to install what is meant for an Aquarium.

My Water chiller fittings on the bucket are 3/4" fittings/buckhead. My tubing for the Chiller and spout is less than 1/2" in diameter.

Now, I have searched for 1/4" fittings but, I guess it appears they don't come this way. Do I have to send this chiller back and buy a proper one? or will funneling the tube through the 3/4" fitting suffice?
 

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Pump is inside the Control bucket with a T-split ontop... below the Elbow in the 4th picture..It's gonna be submerged
 

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can't you just by a barb fitting with the correct size on each end? like a 1/2 to 3/4 in plastic/brass.
 
I can but I'm asking these questions cause I'm NOT..lol...mechanically inclined.

I can find it but there is another side to the outside barb correct? So...that isn't going to fit the 3/4 inch elbow...or a 1/4 inch will slide into the 3/4 inch holes...

Can you elaborate on that to fit? so I can see what you're seeing? The connection has an elbow on the other side. The hole for the elbow and Fitting is 3/4 inch
 
ok, i see what you are doing now. so the clear tubing that goes from chiller thru the bulkhead. is that your feed or return line from the pump? i would keep that as is and the waterfall effect of it coming out of the clear into the black bucket would be great.

why can't you run another clear tubing from the submersible pump to the other outlet on the chiller? run it thru that other fitting in the black bucket the same way
 
That's feed...or return...

I have to cut the line in half and run one from the intake to the outake....

So, just running those lines through the pre-determined 3/4" holes will work?

And in doing so, I just leave them hanging out a bit from the Elbows? or connect them to the T
 
BaRabus said:
That's feed...or return...

I have to cut the line in half and run one from the intake to the outake....

So, just running those lines through the pre-determined 3/4" holes will work?
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i don't see why not. i would change them to black if i were you. clear with water going thru it= algae
 
hence the reason I am converting to this system to begin with ..lol

Thanks...I have it running on a trial setup at the moment....I appreciate your help...I"ll follow up if need be...

Thanks again
 
BaRabus said:
hence the reason I am converting to this system to begin with ..lol

Thanks...I have it running on a trial setup at the moment....I appreciate your help...I"ll follow up if need be...

Thanks again
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one thing you probably want to check is how big GPM wise is your submersible pump? for a chiller that small, you want to run the water thru it very slowly.
 
LOL

It is too big for the chiller..it's 400GPH...but it's slowly cooling... I will buy a big chiller in the next month or so...I wasn't shopping smart again..

So far..it's taken 30 minutes to cool down 3 degrees...for 3.5 gallons
 
BaRabus said:
LOL

It is too big for the chiller..it's 400GPH...but it's slowly cooling... I will buy a big chiller in the next month or so...I wasn't shopping smart again..

So far..it's taken 30 minutes to cool down 3 degrees...for 3.5 gallons
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that is one of those Peltier chillers. they work but not for many gallons. something like a 1/10 HP chiller is what you need for 4 buckets
 
Okay...

I thought since I was only running 10 gallons (in the future) at most in the buckets that a 10 gallon chiller would suffice.

So, I need one that will chill in minutes..not hours...lol

Got It...
 
BaRabus said:
Okay...

I thought since I was only running 10 gallons (in the future) at most in the buckets that a 10 gallon chiller would suffice.

So, I need one that will chill in minutes..not hours...lol

Got It...
Click to expand...

Not really.. but it still has to be sized appropriately. Those chillers are designed to bring a certain temp water down usually just a few degrees and can't handle much heat load.
You have a lot of things to consider with this in your system as a whole.. lights, pumps, insulation.. I kept 150 gallons cool with a 1/4hp, ac pumps, and a little insulation.
 
Nizza said:
isn't brass frowned upon in hydro because of some crap to do with ions or ph ?? I always have used plastic to be safe but would love brass
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i thought it was copper that interacts with nutes? like a chiller coil you want in stainless, not copper. i'm not sure about brass.
 
Yeah no brass. Seen a few guys in the lpa stuff that have had brass fittings corrode and turn black on the inside. Theyre good for a while and eventually go bad. May not be the case of all, but I'd stay away.
 
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