Hydroponic water chillers are essential for keeping your reservoir dialed into the ideal temperature range. If your nutrient solution gets too warm, it could prevent your plants from uptaking nutrients. Or worse - it could lead to mold, mildew, and other problems at the root zone.
If you live in warm environments and grow indoors or in a greenhouse year-round, you cannot afford to grow without a water chiller system.
And if you're looking to protect your plants with one of these systems - you're in the right place. Here at Hydrobuilder, we offer the widest selection of chillers. You'll find products from the top brands in the industry - like Active Aqua, Eco-Plus, etc.
Whether you're a hobbyist looking for a small system or a commercial grower needed to cool multiple reservoirs - we have a product for you to help keep your plants healthy and happy.
What Is A Water Chiller System?
As you can probably surmise, a hydroponic water chiller brings the temperature in your reservoir down to a more ideal range.
We'll discuss specific temperature ranges more in-depth below. But, these typically operate in a really wide range. This means you don't have to worry about whether they can effectively cool your specific water - chances are, they can.
For example - the Active Aqua chiller can cool in a range between 39-90 degrees Fahrenheit!
What Temperature Should Hydroponic Water Be?
Plants will be happiest and healthiest when the water in your hydroponic system is between 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
When the temperature drops below this, plants will think it's the end of the season and will go to sleep. Growth will slow until temperatures rise again. In this case - you'd need a water heater rather than a chiller.
The good news is we carry those as well, and they can be found in this category. They're also far cheaper than a chiller. So if you're struggling to raise water temperature - you're actually better off than if you need to lower it!
On the other hand, if temperatures raise outside of the healthy range plants will be unable to hold onto dissolved oxygen. Dissolved oxygen is a necessary compound for nutrient absorption. A warmer nutrient solution is also prone to pest invasion. Plus - the heat can even stress your plants to the point of halting growth entirely.
The ideal temperature range for hydroponic systems is 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a thermometer to monitor your temperature levels, and adjust accordingly!
Is A Water Chiller Necessary?
Hydroponic water chillers aren't cheap - this is a substantial investment for most growers, which leads many to question if they're truly necessary or not.
To answer this question accurately, we really need to know the temperature of the water in your reservoir. If you're already in the ideal range - you're good! No need for a chiller.
However, if you do determine that your water is too warm and exceeds that 75-degree range by more than a few degrees, we highly recommend investing in one of these.
Of course, you could try lowering the temperature in your grow room with air conditioning first. If you're just teetering on the edge, this might be all it takes to get the temperature back into the proper range.
Otherwise, these are 100% necessary if you're serious about your crop. Without one, you run the risk of preventing nutrient uptake or worse - crop loss.
What Are The Types Of Chillers?
These days, there are quite a few different types of chillers. Most of them work based on refrigerant technology that cools the water before filling your reservoir.
The water chillers for hydroponics you'll find here at Hydrobuilder are all of the highest quality and use the latest technology. That means they're environmentally friendly and freon-free. For example, the Active Aqua and Eco Plus chillers use R134a refrigerant.
These are the only two brands you'll find in this collection - and for good reason. These manufacturers are the best of the best, leading the charge in the hydroponics industry.
Their chillers are easy to set up and work efficiently. Both brands rely on the highest-quality components in building these systems, so you can rest assured they're built to stand the test of time.
Many of them even feature a commercial-grade titanium heat exchange with corrosion resistance. This means you won't have to worry about the interior components wearing down over time or rusting.
Why Hydrobuilder Is The Best Place To Buy Hydroponic Water Chillers
All the chillers you'll find here at Hydrobuilder are worthy of investing in - but which one is right for you? What features should you look for when shopping?
One of the first things you should look for is a warranty - if your investment isn't protected for at least one year, you probably run the other way! Eco-Plus and Active Aqua both offer warranties, standing behind the quality they produce.
Because all the chillers on our site use environmentally, ultra-efficient refrigerants, you don't have to worry about that. Plus - these chillers feature protection systems from overcurrent, and many have an easy-to-use LCD display that controls the unit.
You can use these as aquarium chillers, reservoir coolers, or any use-case you can imagine where water needs to be cooled. For salt water, fresh water, you name it. They're versatile, quiet, efficient, and reliable - what more could you ask for in a hydroponic water chiller system?!
How To Use A Hydroponic Water Chiller System
If the temperature raises out of the ideal range, a hydroponic water chiller is necessary. This connects to your water pump, and sends cold water into the reservoir. These are rated in terms of horsepower, and it is important to size your reservoir chiller correctly.
If you want to learn more about water temperature in your hydroponic system, including how to size your chiller and heater, check out our full article on the importance of hydroponic water temperatures.
Installing your water chiller isn't always super simple or straightforward. That's why we decided to put together an article (featuring a video) to help you get your new system connected correctly and working as intended.
How To Use A Hydroponic Water Heater
If the temperature in your reservoir drops too low, you will need to implement a hydroponic water heater. These are submersible devices that heat up the nutrient solution to the ideal range. Then, they will automatically shut off once it is reached. Once it drops again, the heater turns back on.
These are rated in watts and need to be placed near the flow of water. This helps to ensure the heat circulates properly.
Need Help Choosing The Right Water Chiller For Hydroponics?
We said it before and we'll say it again - you can't go wrong with any of the chillers you'll find here. But, if you still need help choosing or even sizing your water chiller - no worries! Reach out to our expert growers at the number below and we'll get you set up right from the beginning.
This way, you won't have to worry about undersizing or oversizing your system. You won't have to stress about having too much chilling capability and wasting money and energy. Or, having too little and not effectively cooling your reservoir.
Visit our learning center to learn more about growing in a hydroponic system. Or, feel free to contact one of our experienced growers at 888-815-9763.
