View Full Version : Fishtank Cooling
My good friend Phiber is trying to put together an inexpensive water cooled system for his athlon 1.2@1.33 1.85v. So far he has an Eheim 1048 158 GPH pump and quite a few good Ideas. I am about to send him a Leufkentechnologies copper waterblock so all he will need is a way to cool the water. After talking to Phiber at length we decided the only way he could get decent cooling without spending any money would be to use a 20 gallon fish tank he has sitting around. I have heard of people using a large bucket to cool the water but never a fish tank. How well will 20 gallons of water get rid of heat in a system like this? I know still water doesn't really get rid of heat well but will the quantity of water make up for this. Phiber has kindly supplied a pic of his tentative setup "I added the fishie".
http://www.daocplace.com/~bender/watercoolin2.JPG
If he has a little money, it would be really good to add a (maybe smallish?) bong cooler. PVC is cheap, and it cools better than a radiator.
He could have a bong going into the fish tank. That would solve the evaperation problem for quite some time. What should he use in the bong. How about a shower head to make drops and scotch brite pads to slow the water down. Does anyone know how the fish will like the bong.
I didn't realize that there would be a fish in it, depending on what kind of fish it is, I would be worried about temperature fluctuations if it was sensitive to that kind of thing. I think the fish would be fine if a scotch brite pad slowed it down for impact, and there was something protecting it from being sucked into the intake.
I have a new idea instead of just dumping water directly into the fish tank i will make a type of "water fall" which will consist of plexiglass and plaster on it to make it bumpy and stuff....this way it will look cool.....and it will also sound cool.....and cool!!!
heres a pic
http://www.daocplace.com/~straws/watercoolin2.JPG
Actually we dicussed a fish but he would make a plexiglas baffle in the tank so the fish and the computer stuff would be seperate. I really hope he uses an overclocked fish if he is going to use one at all. At first I was just joking but It would be a really cool idea.
Originally posted by sfa ok
I didn't realize that there would be a fish in it, depending on what kind of fish it is, I would be worried about temperature fluctuations if it was sensitive to that kind of thing. I think the fish would be fine if a scotch brite pad slowed it down for impact, and there was something protecting it from being sucked into the intake.
Oh I will prolly not put a fish in there for real....its for amusement purposes...
That might work, I hope you don't move your computer around too much. :D
Originally posted by sfa ok
That might work, I hope you don't move your computer around too much. :D
I dont actually.......but the waterfall idea would be kinda contained within the Fishtank mostly.......and also most of this is going to be done external.....because i want my Lina-Li to stay normal.....
Originally posted by Bender
Actually we dicussed a fish but he would make a plexiglas baffle in the tank so the fish and the computer stuff would be seperate. I really hope he uses an overclocked fish if he is going to use one at all. At first I was just joking but It would be a really cool idea.
First i want to get to watercooling.....then overclocked fishs...
I simply couldn't resist:eek:
http://www.daocplace.com/~bender/watercoolin5.JPG
CrystalMethod
12-27-01, 11:36 PM
What about making a staggered waterfall design? Wouldn't cool nearly as well as a bong, but it might work.
http://www3.sympatico.ca/keith_lee/water.gif
I think a staggered waterfall would be a very cool thing to try. If Phiber can get ahold of some plexiglass he should try it. It would make for a very nifty system.
Silversinksam
12-28-01, 12:43 AM
Originally posted by Bender
http://www.daocplace.com/~bender/watercoolin2.JPG
I've looked at a lot of Schematics in my old career and thats a better diagram than a most Gov. schematics or blueprint they could produce.
And its 1000% better than most Imported electronics diagrams:)
AntmanMike
12-28-01, 12:55 AM
Id try it, but i doubt the fish would like the 120mm cooling fan *blub*
William
12-28-01, 01:14 AM
the won't do well at all, they are very sensitive to copper deposits. The Plaster idea is a very good one at cooling the water. The shower head and scotch bright pads are a good idea. What would be ideal would be to get two feet of PVC and putting the shower head up on top of that to get the height of the water. Even 1 foot would work. Then use the tank as a resovoir. You don't even have to have a showerhead, a tupperware bowl with some tiny holes drilled into it would probably work suspended from the top of the tank. The staggered waterfall wouldn't be too bad either, but probably the cost of the extra plexiglass would negate the effect. The cheapest method is the tuperware method IMO, just bribe mom or go and get that nice cheap glad ware stuff they sell now. Actually they don't make bad resevoirs.
Christoph
12-28-01, 01:59 AM
How many hours a day does your friend have his computer running? If it's 24/7, then he'll definitely need some sort of effective cooling solution.
Having a fish would be fun, but you'd have to figure out the temperature range of the water first, then you'd have to compensate for whatever waste products the fish produced. I say go for it. It would sure make people do a double take.
As for the waterfall idea, you could split the water between three of four plexiglass "falls" to maximize surface area, kinda like this:
http://imagehost.auctionwatch.com/preview/id/ideamagnate/fins.jpg
Silversinksam
12-28-01, 03:17 AM
Saw this pic, thought you might find it interesting:
http://www.tweakmonster.com/articles/shrinepages/images/pic2.jpg
Notice he still uses a radiator.
http://www.tweakmonster.com/articles/shrinepages/shrinepage2.htm
Thanks for the Ideas guys i think I will first do it just with the fish tank and how it goes and i will move on from there
Snubben
12-28-01, 11:33 AM
Really kewl idea with the fish tank.
I know some tropical fishies like their water really hot, so it wouldn't be a problem if you get the right fishies.
Just put a filter at the intake before the pump so you don't suck in the fish and the fish-droppings in the cooling system.
I used to have fishes and they wanted a little current to swim in to get the proper exersize, therefor I had to buy a submersible filter/pump to them. In your case, you can just put in the return hose and go :)
If you have a lot of water in the tank the temperature variations won't bother the fish much.
In fact, fishies can withstand quite the beating, In my fishtank I put in some nice stones I found floating in a lake at home, after a couple of months my fishies started looking very strange and the new fishbabies looked even stranger, bent in a 45 degree angle in the middle and so on.
It was then someone told me that the nice little stones I've put in there was radioactive, :o Ooops...
But if you're going to do something like this (wich you probably wont) please use an aluminium waterblock instead of copper, becuse copper in a little salty water will produce coppersulfate wich the fishies will die from pretty quick.
Copper is quite toxic you know...
The Overclocker
12-28-01, 11:51 AM
if he has something else around that has more surface area use it instead, you should also position a small fan over the fish tank to aid evaporation
Originally posted by the overclocker
if he has something else around that has more surface area use it instead, you should also position a small fan over the fish tank to aid evaporation
But 20 gallons is alot of water.......and AFAIK the surface area my tank has already is pretty big......and being that there will be currents in the fish tank the water wil cool faster
William
12-28-01, 02:38 PM
try it without anything, at worst you can try the free tuperware idea(heck, even a gladlock back *could* work. Don't waste your money putting a fish in there, it will die from the copper.
Silversinksam
12-28-01, 03:08 PM
If you really wanted to go for Asthetics you could build something like this, better looking than a Bong and Excellent surface area for H2o cooling
http://images.sharperimage.com.edgesuite.net/all/en/images/products/MW360-PIP.JPG
Originally posted by Silversinksam
If you really wanted to go for Asthetics you could build something like this, better looking than a Bong and Excellent surface area for H2o cooling
http://images.sharperimage.com.edgesuite.net/all/en/images/products/MW360-PIP.JPG Now how long does it take for the waterblock to clog up from all the stuff in the water?(Too everyone too)
Silversinksam
12-28-01, 05:01 PM
Sonny,
I have two large fountains, one is like the one pictured and the other is made from granite, I even have two cats and my pumps have never clogged, I do clean them out about every three months as 'gouok' does appear but its never been enough to restrict the flow.
* I do have 4 ionizers thru-out home to keep dander and gouok negatively charged that may be in the air and the negative charged gouok just falls the the floor.
outhouse
12-28-01, 07:25 PM
Well copper wont hurt saltwater fish and i think your levels should be low enough so that it should not bother fresh either. I think your only problem running a fish or two is that no matter what you do you will end up with a slimey coating everywhere that the water will cover its part of the biological procces of keeping your nitrogen cycle in check. If you dont mind cleaning everything out once in a while you should be fine just make sure you have a water block that you can take apart. Now they do make a refrigeration unit for fish tanks as well that will keep temps down but that limits you to gold fish.
CrystalMethod
12-28-01, 10:10 PM
What about filtering if he's going to be putting fish in there. Nothing like a some fecal matter to be clogging up his block...
if arrows are direction of water - how can it be travling out from the pump in BOTH directions?
Originally posted by Silversinksam
I have two large fountains, one is like the one pictured and the other is made from granite, I even have two cats and my pumps have never clogged, I do clean them out about every three months as 'gouok' does appear but its never been enough to restrict the flow.I guess in deep well water areas like myself bong type water cooling would only be ok if I use distilled water in it.
Crash893
12-29-01, 02:31 PM
since were haveing a ms paint party i figured i would do one to
heres how i would do it
the main parts resembles a old washing board ( the black ridges are bumps for turbulance.
evaporation is helped by fan
Crash893
12-29-01, 02:33 PM
DOH
might help if i attach something
the pump is going to be submersed by the way
and her is the pump in action
http://www.daocplace.com/~straws/pump2.jpg
Originally posted by jbell
if arrows are direction of water - how can it be travling out from the pump in BOTH directions?
shhh.......!!!! i screwed it up....the one with the arrow towards the fish tank not the long one but the short one ....should be sucking water in
Looking good so far Phiber. Now when is that idiot ever going to send you your water block so you can get started.:eek:
Originally posted by Bender
Looking good so far Phiber. Now when is that idiot ever going to send you your water block so you can get started.:eek:
yea when is he? i think i should go ask him shouldnt i?:D
Silversinksam
12-29-01, 04:06 PM
Originally posted by phiber
the pump is going to be submersed by the way
and her is the pump in action
http://www.daocplace.com/~straws/pump2.jpg
Hey Phiber what camera did you use to take that pic? If digital what model and if a regular camera, what film speed.
Thats a good picture ;)
Christoph
12-29-01, 06:32 PM
It's a great pic, but you should be able to do that with any decent camera, given enough lighting.
VashTheStampede
12-29-01, 08:57 PM
Here is the setup I'm still working with:
http://netgimp.netfirms.com/water.jpg
Yes I do have 4 heater cores :D
~Vash~
VashTheStampede if you are planing on using coper and aluminum parts together you should use something in the water to stop corrosion. I think even water wetter should do the trick but I'm not shure whats best.
VashTheStampede
12-29-01, 11:11 PM
Originally posted by Bender
VashTheStampede if you are planing on using coper and aluminum parts together you should use something in the water to stop corrosion. I think even water wetter should do the trick but I'm not shure whats best.
Yeah but I've read that just antifreeze is better than Water Wetter, though my manager (At PepBoys) swears by the ProBlend 40 Below stuff that he uses in his racing truck.
In either case, all protect copper and aluminum. Though I'm trying to find the least stinkiest antifreeze since the fishtank is an open system.
~Vash~
The only problem with antifreeze is that it will impede the cooling capabilaties of the water. I don't know how much antifreeze it takes to make a difference. Watter wetter on the other hand should lower your temps a fuzz becaues it reduces the waters surface tention.
Originally posted by Silversinksam
Hey Phiber what camera did you use to take that pic? If digital what model and if a regular camera, what film speed.
Thats a good picture ;)
canon powershot a20 i have no clue about speed i just pointed and push the button.....digital of course...
w00t i got it all set up
pics can be found here: www.daocplace.com/~straws/water
and you can all praise me!!
btw temps are Idle 20-23C and load are 31C with a Tbird 1200 @1333 @1.85 V
Christoph
12-31-01, 02:07 PM
No waterfalls???
Looks purdy other than that. Simple yet effective.
Do you have any temps after running a full load for a couple hours so the water temps stabilize?
Originally posted by IdeaMagnate
No waterfalls???
Looks purdy other than that. Simple yet effective.
Do you have any temps after running a full load for a couple hours so the water temps stabilize?
ive been folding for about 2 hours and the waterfalls are coming later....
drunkmonkey
12-31-01, 11:34 PM
Originally posted by VashTheStampede
Here is the setup I'm still working with:
http://netgimp.netfirms.com/water.jpg
Yes I do have 4 heater cores :D
~Vash~
You should put the cooler water intake near the bottom of the tank on one side and the hot output on the surface of the water cause cooler water sinks.
VashTheStampede
12-31-01, 11:48 PM
Originally posted by drunkmonkey
You should put the cooler water intake near the bottom of the tank on one side and the hot output on the surface of the water cause cooler water sinks.
I'll drop the cooler tube at the bottom and leave the hot return tube closer to the surface.
~Vash~
A word of advice..
If you are sure you are going to run the fishtank as an open system... DO NOT use water wetter...
A while ago when my new parts came, I decided why not check my water and change it anyways (it had only been a few months) the water was ok of course - but during the process of drainign the system and getting the crap out of my room it was not pretty.
I had the window open, the fan on and this crap nearly made me sick off the smell alone, it's some pretty strong stuff - I'm talking about a few ounces here not a bottle either.
glad my reservoir has a lid
:burn:
here are some good pics
http://www.daocplace.com/~straws/water/water5.jpg
http://www.daocplace.com/~straws/water/water6.jpg
Well the 10 gallon fish tank is doing quite well for Phiber. He is running his 1.2 athlon at 1400. Before he could only reach 1333 with his Glaciator. Temps are 22c idle and 36c full load. The best part is how quiet the system is. You arent running a fan for a radiator so the only thing you can hear is the hard drive. Now if only that kid hadn't smashed my fish tank.
-EternitY-
01-01-02, 02:35 PM
DUDE...
That's a living thing
Poor fishie..
Im calling the Humane Society!
TERRIOST ARE GOING TO START HIJACKING PLANES WITH BATTERY PACKS & DELTAS!
Originally posted by -EternitY-
DUDE...
That's a living thing
Poor fishie..
Im calling the Humane Society!
TERRIOST ARE GOING TO START HIJACKING PLANES WITH BATTERY PACKS & DELTAS!
Well Phiber has no plans for a fish but I'm trying to convince him.
Hey what airport security doesn't know is how easy it is to sneak a wet carp onto a plain and beat people senseless with it. They better fix this loophole before some freak trys it.
:beer:
bump for a successful idea!
Crash893
01-07-02, 04:19 PM
i dont have a picture of this and its a bit too complex for my MS paint skills but here are 2 ideas for vastly increasing the surface area of a fishtank to allow some evaporation.
idea one
get two or threw long rods that will go the long lenth of the fish tank
then about every inch or half an inch you put a round disk on the rod ( like a cd) then you have the rods rotate at a slow pace the rotating disks encrease the surface area
then you build a "roof" over the rods and have a few fans blow down or across the disks.
idea #2
get a cage like the ones they use to pick the bingo numbers ( round cage that rotates. fill it with pingpong balls and hook it to a moter. have a fan blow on it.
they use these in fish hatcheries becuase they increase the surface area of the water ( for air ration) by vast amounts
i hope these are help full im just throwing ideas out there.
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