Beer Forum

Hey guys,

Does anyone have any experience with using a trash bin and aquarium heater for fermentation control? The idea I read was to submerge the carboy in water inside the bin, then stick the aquarium heater into the water, set the temp, and lead a happy, stress free life! Seems to me that this would work like a charm, and is super cheap (20-30 bucks for the heater).


If anyone has results using this method, I'd love to know!

Cheers,

Baloo

I did this all winter. It worked great. My carboys are in a shop in the backyard and it got pretty cold out there but it kept my temps pretty consistent. If it stays really cold for a few days in a row you may need to insulate your bins or use a cooler. My shop averaged 50f during the days this winter and about 40f at night and I had no problems.

Do the same thing here...the water starts to smell like pond water after a couple weeks though but not too bad.

I took this to the next step and use an aquarium chiller as well. The aquarium chiller can control a heater an keeps the water with in one degree of where you set it. I was using large storage continers and keeping two fermentors in it.

SunkenBier wrote:I took this to the next step and use an aquarium chiller as well. The aquarium chiller can control a heater an keeps the water with in one degree of where you set it. I was using large storage continers and keeping two fermentors in it.

Well, now you are not talking the $20-30 bucks that Baloo was targeting.... I see no problem with it, Baloo - except in the summertime.


Mylo

Mylo wrote:Well, now you are not talking the $20-30 bucks that Baloo was targeting.... I see no problem with it, Baloo - except in the summertime.


Mylo

Well, now, that's why I have a basement! My prob is keeping a belgian yeast ferment up in the mid 70's when it's 'only' 50-60 outside. when it heats up, I think i'll move my fermenters down to the basement.

Thanks for the help, guys! The BN Army always knows their shit!

I just started doing this. I put about 6-8 inches of water and the aquarium heater in a large igloo ice chest the day before I brew and set it at 68*. Brew day, I put the carboy in there and the temp seems to stay very constant at 68* - 70*. This is in the house where the ambient temp varies from 55-75 depending on the day. Now I just need to try it in the summer. I think I will just add some ice to the water as needed. I didn't know they had an "aquarium cooler"!

Well, this is friggin awesome that such a simple solution seems to work like a charm! I'll be throwing my first batch in this device on Sunday! Can't wait!