Aquarium Insulation

[mackinthebox]

So, Ive got a small thermoelectric chiller that I made for my tank
It does a great job of keeping my 20 gallon long tank at a constant 66 degrees, even with the ambient temps fluctuations that occur from me and my wife changing thermostat temps on the apartment AC unit

I want to see if I can get it colder though
My question is pretty simple
Has anyone used foam or other insulation on their tank to keep it cooler and how effective was it?
I was thinking of getting some panels of foam from home depot or a local hardware store and using it to cover the sides, back, and bottom of the tank
Does anyone know if this would be effective? has anyone tried something like this?
Something similar to this:

Once I get it all set up I will post my experience with it

 

[EmbryH]

I've never tried this, and the only thing I've heard of that is similar is that sometimes people will have some kind of padding underneath the tank, but why are you trying to make it colder?

66F is a very ideal temperature. If you've already got that as effortlessly as you do, why try and go colder?

 

[sde]

I've never tried this, and the only thing I've heard of that is similar is that sometimes people will have some kind of padding underneath the tank, but why are you trying to make it colder?

66F is a very ideal temperature. If you've already got that as effortlessly as you do, why try and go colder?

Maybe it is so that he can simulate winter and then warm things up so that they will breed?

Is this true? Because I don't see any other reason why you would want to either? That's a great temp.

 

[mackinthebox]

The main reason is literally just to see how cold I can get it
if I can chill 20 gallons to 50 degrees then I shouldnt have any problem chilling a 29 gallon to 66 degrees
by knowing how low I can actually get the temp I know how well it can buffer against the ambient temp and it will also give me headroom to use a temperature controller
right now the peltier is running full tilt at 12 volts, always on at full power
by adding insulation and a temp controller I can reduce power consumption
peltiers are not very efficient...

 

[Kaini]

Correct me if I'm wrong but won't insulating the tank keep it warmer???? Insulation keeps heat from escaping... Or maybe I just didn't pay enough attention in science class, does it work in reverse? I am genuinely curious, bear with me xD

But as to taking the tank to 50 degrees... Why? Axolotls do best around 60-64 degrees, taking it lower just because you CAN isn't very considerate to the animals.

 

[Skudo09]

Correct me if I'm wrong but won't insulating the tank keep it warmer???? Insulation keeps heat from escaping... Or maybe I just didn't pay enough attention in science class, does it work in reverse? I am genuinely curious, bear with me xD

But as to taking the tank to 50 degrees... Why? Axolotls do best around 60-64 degrees, taking it lower just because you CAN isn't very considerate to the animals.

Insulation can work both ways. It also helps prevent warmth coming in as well so if you use insulation as a method in conjunction with other cooling methods like fans, it does help keep it cooler.

I have car windscreen covers (the ones that look foil like) around the sides (except for the front) to help with keeping my tank cool with fans as well. It does help although we are having some very very hot days so I might still end up getting a chiller.

 

[Kaini]

Interesting. Excuse my ignorance, I was having a hard time wrapping my mind around that one xD

 

[mackinthebox]

Correct me if I'm wrong but won't insulating the tank keep it warmer???? Insulation keeps heat from escaping... Or maybe I just didn't pay enough attention in science class, does it work in reverse? I am genuinely curious, bear with me xD

But as to taking the tank to 50 degrees... Why? Axolotls do best around 60-64 degrees, taking it lower just because you CAN isn't very considerate to the animals.

no animals will be used in the testing process
and insulation works to keep heat in, or heat out. its the same way any good ice chest or refrigerator works, they all have insulation in them...