Transfer of heat between two separate water (nutrient) sources

[Minty]

I have a question about transfer of heat within nutrient solution (AKA Water) and as always would appreciate any feedback both positive and negative.

So basically I currently have a RDWC Hydro build complete with a water chiller etc. and while I still do want to replace this due to the noise made by the water pumps I am now thinking I could resolve this noise issue by mounting 'external' water pumps internally within a PVC well insulated box above the current res - this should resolve the sound issue and apart from the overall environment heat which is an issue in it's own right regardless of growing medium I have been happy with growing in water in terms of the ease of automation side.

But because of the initial Root Rot etc and deciding to have an additional grow as backup using Auto Pots I now have a problem of still having to chill both Res's with a single chiller or purchase an additional chiller?

So after some thinking etc and trying to come up with a way to use a singles chiller to cool two reservoir I came up with an idea of basically pumping the water from one res around in a copper pipe situated in the res already being chilled. e.g. pump water from one of the reservoir thru the water from the other chilled reservoir hopefully allowing a single chiller to lower the temps of both containers of water.

So my question really is which way to try and cool the additional reservoir, buy pumping it's hot water thru the cold reservoir:-




or by pumping cold water thru the hot reservoir:-



Was thinking about pumping the nutrient water thru some copper coil which should hold the temps down if submerged in the chilled res no?



Just looking for which way around you would think would be more efficient cooling the nutrient water from the currently temperature unmanaged AutoPot res without a dedicated chiller?

Hopefully this will help to lower the temps a couple of degrees otherwise I will be using it for the One Pint Hydro attempt :O)

Thanks Guys.

[Minty]

Thanks Marcus. Guess I am just paranoid after already struggling with having root rot with my current grow
.

[Hydro]

I agree with Marcus but if you have to chill and want efficient use of the chiller.. I’d use an overflow type setup pulling water from the autopot res and pushing it back into the main hydro tank with a pipework overflow system to the autopot res .. no need for any more copper piping or pumps as the pump will heat the water too

[Minty]

pulling water from the autopot res and pushing it back into the main hydro tank with a pipework overflow system

Not sure what you mean unless you are referring to both res's having the same nutrient mix

[bigbadbillybob]

dont bother chilling the auto pots mate, you are just making work for yourself.
sounds like youve got it sorted

[Minty]

dont bother chilling the auto pots mate, you are just making work for yourself.
sounds like youve got it sorted

OK, sounds like the AutoPots are not a concern but seeing as I already got the copper pipe etc I may as well use it for the One Pint Hydro grow which is defo going to need some cooling as the pint container is a can of Stella and with the dehumidifier active the tent temp is averaging about 25℃ which is fine for Air Temp but a water temp of that is not going to work.

So original question remains - just replace the AutoPot Res with the One Pint Stella Can Res ;o)