So I just shook the jar of water with a Humboldt countys micro/bloom ice cube. It literally looks like a snow globe, shit floating everywhere. Fail!
Maxibloom is next.
That's actually along the lines of what I was thinking. I really only need the water cooled by about 15-20F so it would be a little overkill. But it's definitely a good idea!
Maby a finned condenser/radiator type cooler, plumbed to a water pump. Placed inside either a fridge or container with ice, and a thermostat probe in the reservoir.
See what I mean though. It's not that I don't want a chiller, I definitely do! But for around $300?! I can probably build what was mentioned above for around 100$. I can't really justify spending more than I have in the entire grow, including lights and nutrients, on a single chiller.
Maxibloom is next.
Depending on skills, you can control a fridge or freezer by wiring an SSR into cable and switch with something like STC-1000 Thermostat controller.
Or use TEC devices.
I build my own equipment, which is complex and exspensive but I know it is not going fail.
You can buy prebuilt version good for about 25 Ltr up to 30c ambient: https://jbapump.com/Product/EnShowProduct110.html
Fridges and freezers work good for climate control.
Here is some info on fridge conversion for brewing.
https://www.brewpi.com/fridge-hacking-guide/
I know this is likely overkill for the questioner and off the ice subject, but this is the best realistic answer for the bigger probs
That's actually along the lines of what I was thinking. I really only need the water cooled by about 15-20F so it would be a little overkill. But it's definitely a good idea!
Maby a finned condenser/radiator type cooler, plumbed to a water pump. Placed inside either a fridge or container with ice, and a thermostat probe in the reservoir.
All you'd need is a 1/10 hp chiller. Hook buckets with plants together the same way you already did, put the pump in one reservoir bucket, plumb through the chiller and into the other reservoir bucket, bang homemade u shaped undercurrent. I bet you can do it for less than $300. There are stores that sell used equipment Trying to do it with ice or bottles is just asking for a failure. I've been there, it sucks when you can't leave for a couple hours. It might not be feasible to build it this round but is definitely doable next time. Good luck.
See what I mean though. It's not that I don't want a chiller, I definitely do! But for around $300?! I can probably build what was mentioned above for around 100$. I can't really justify spending more than I have in the entire grow, including lights and nutrients, on a single chiller.