Swamp Fermenation Cooler Too Hot??

hbhudy · 12-13-2009, 03:06 AM

I threw together a swamp cooler to better regulate my fermentation temp (25-gallon tote, top fin heater, and a recirculation pump{to move the water}). The concern I have is that the temp seems to remain constant at roughly 70 degrees. It seems as though the heater will not go below 70. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to put a temp control in place to turn the aquarium heater on and off based on the water temp?

**rocketman768** · 12-13-2009, 03:08 AM

Buy a temperature controller. Hook the relay between the heater and power source. Place temperature probe in water.

mike1978 · 12-13-2009, 03:32 PM

I used a swamp cooler and to regulate the temp, i would just freeze some water bottles and put them in the water cooler. This will drop your temp, and it will hold as long as you monitor the temp every 8 hours or so. You can take out and add the frozen water bottles as you need. I was able to keep mine at 63 degrees.

FlyGuy · 12-13-2009, 03:51 PM

My aquarium heater goes down to about 64 F. Perhaps you just need a different heater that has a better thermostat built in. I am sure it would be cheaper to find one of those (I paid $15) than to purchase a temperature controller for the job ($50+).

hbhudy · 12-13-2009, 08:26 PM

what brand of fish tank heater did you buy?

FlyGuy · 12-13-2009, 11:01 PM

Honestly I don't recall. And I don't see the name written on the heater itself.

All I did was go to the pet store (or it might have even been WalMart) and looked at the rangers of temperature published on the packaging. Mine said 65F to 100F or something, but it actually goes down a little lower than stated.

**rocketman768** · 12-14-2009, 01:04 AM

Temp controllers don't have to be expensive. This one's only $30.

http://cgi.ebay.com/RKC-DP-4-0-200-F-TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLER_W0QQitemZ330383295924QQcmdZViewItemQQpt ZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4cec6105b4

And, he can easily use it in a fermentation chamber later if he wants.

FlyGuy · 12-14-2009, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocketman768

Temp controllers don't have to be expensive. This one's only $30.

http://cgi.ebay.com/RKC-DP-4-0-200-F-TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLER_W0QQitemZ330383295924QQcmdZViewItemQQpt ZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4cec6105b4

And, he can easily use it in a fermentation chamber later if he wants.

That's still twice the price of an aquarium heater. And its used. And you would still need to pay for shipping and a thermocouple/temperature probe. You are probably better off just getting a new Ranco or Johnson controller for about the same price that this used one would cost. Or just get an aquarium heater for a third of the cost to do the same thing.