olympionex
Member
I am trying to find a compact solution to allow me to control the fermentation temps of my brew. I really hate the idea of buying a huge chest freezer and so inefficiently using the space with typical glass carboys. It seems like if I want two carboys, I have to get an even larger, more expensive, more energy consuming freezer and build a collar for it. As a result, I've been considering alternative fermentation vessels.
The most ideal solution that I've found at the moment is to use this 1 cubic foot aquarium:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewi..._campaign=mdcsegooglebase2&utm_content=AZ1133
It measures 1' x 1' x 1' and can hold about 7.5 gallons. If I put a 5 gallon batch in it, it should have about 4" of headspace. I'm considering siliconing a glass or plexiglass top onto it and putting holes for some sort of airlock. By my calculations, I should be able to put 3 of these in a typical ~5 cu ft. assuming I come up with some manner to stack two of them in the part of the freezer without the compressor hump. The fish tanks are essentially the same price as a carboy. There is about 20% difference in the surface area, but I can always flush the secondary with cO2, and potentially find a way to flush the primary with O2. I would probably build a carboy hauler made of webbing for its square body.
The second I idea I had was to use something like this:
http://www.acemart.com/prod3841.html
It could be a bit cheaper than a carboy, and I was thinking about finding a means to clamp a lid on. In this case, I could fill in the void left by the compressor, and stack 3 on top of each other. Seems less desirable to me, but could be another option.
Anybody have any thoughts, reasons why this wouldn't be a good idea?
The most ideal solution that I've found at the moment is to use this 1 cubic foot aquarium:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewi..._campaign=mdcsegooglebase2&utm_content=AZ1133
It measures 1' x 1' x 1' and can hold about 7.5 gallons. If I put a 5 gallon batch in it, it should have about 4" of headspace. I'm considering siliconing a glass or plexiglass top onto it and putting holes for some sort of airlock. By my calculations, I should be able to put 3 of these in a typical ~5 cu ft. assuming I come up with some manner to stack two of them in the part of the freezer without the compressor hump. The fish tanks are essentially the same price as a carboy. There is about 20% difference in the surface area, but I can always flush the secondary with cO2, and potentially find a way to flush the primary with O2. I would probably build a carboy hauler made of webbing for its square body.
The second I idea I had was to use something like this:
http://www.acemart.com/prod3841.html
It could be a bit cheaper than a carboy, and I was thinking about finding a means to clamp a lid on. In this case, I could fill in the void left by the compressor, and stack 3 on top of each other. Seems less desirable to me, but could be another option.
Anybody have any thoughts, reasons why this wouldn't be a good idea?