fermentation cooler

[krenshaw]

do they make aquarium coolers at all? i have a rectangular cooler that fits 2 better bottles in it perfectly.. i've always wanted to get an aquarium heater to put one or both in, fill it with water than set the temp, though i've never had a need for heating in my basement as it is always like 65 degrees down there.. i thought that would be a good method to lager something but can't figure out a good way to get the water temp down a bit lower.. any thoughts?

 

[Lucky_Chicken]

the do make aquarium chillers for cold water fish tanks... they are pricey!

on the bright side they will hold the water at +/- 1 degree F

 

[Tinga]

I looked into it because I thought FV submersed in water would allow me better control over just being in an open fermentation chamber. The water chillers are pricey. you might be able to scrap together a pump circulating glycol chiller type dealie if you have the parts but other than that it would be quite expensive.

 

[badmajon]

to be honest a probe taped to the side of the carboy, a temp controller and a fridge works just fine, set and forget. A month or two ago I dreamed up some crazy scheme using glycol, thermowells and other stuff, but this way is 95% as good for 5% of the cost.

 

[krenshaw]

before i knew how much the chillers were i thought that would be a good idea.. it wouldn't cost nearly as much to power as a fridge, though it looks like i'll have to pony up to craigslist once SWMBO gives me the OK