WEKA Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 I am in the process of setting up a cold saltwater tank (15 deg c )of approx 700 litres. As part of the setup I have constructed a heat exchanger (for cooling) consisting of 0.5 inch polythene tubing (approx 40 metres in 3 circuits) which carries the saltwater thru a glycol mix tank which is cooled by a refridgeration compressor. The cooling will operate for extended periods in the warmer weather. My concern is - will the tubing build up aerobic bacteria and work as a biological filter while the cooling system is operational. If so what will happen to that bacteria if the cooling is not required for some days and there is no circulation thru the tubing. Will I get a burst of nitrates or whatever when the cooling circulation re starts. Will I need to keep the circulation going thru the heat exchanger continuously even when the compressor is not required. Any thoughts on this? Cheers Warren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Yeah, it will build up aerobic bacteria. But, I don't think it'll be enough to worry about. Your best bet, IMO is to simply have water running through it continuously even when the compressor isn't running. Then you don't have to worry about what happens when the water flow is stopped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RnB Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 get one of the temp controllers jetski sells, run the through pump all the time, and have the cooler/heaters on the controller... you will prob need heaters in chch! in the deep winter, the controller is very usefull to avoid big hysteresis loops... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveA Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 I'd be more concerned about a leak in the tubing letting glycol into the tank. Have you thought of enploying an intermediate liquid and letting the glycol cool the intermediate liquid and then letting that cool your tank water? Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WEKA Posted May 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 Hey Thanks for your comments. I have an electronic thermostat for the cooler which goes down to 0.1 deg C hysteresis. I had thought I might purchase another for the heating. The saltwater has a greater head than the glycol so if there is a leak I am hoping it will not be in the direction of the tank. The main pump has a capacity of around 6000l/hr so I may look at byepassing some of this thru the cooler rather than run a dedicated pump on the cooler 24hrs. Thanks again for your help. Cheers Warren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WEKA Posted May 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 PS STEVE Wot is that picture you are running?? Warren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveA Posted May 19, 2005 Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 PS STEVE Wot is that picture you are running?? Warren This one? It's called 'Overdose'. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianemone Posted May 19, 2005 Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.