I picked up a used 13000 BTU portable AC unit off craigslist for $100. I thought it would be great, but it draws 13 amps and blows the breaker all the time since it's the same as the tank is on. I put a window unit in the room that's a dinky little 5000 BTU unit, runs lots, but keeps the room at 78 and my tank stays fine at that.

Depends on the size of room you are in, I had a 10K BTU portable in my townhouse and it couldn't cool my tank because it was an open area design and was trying to cool the whole main floor. My tank now has a small fishroom that i can cool easially with a 5K BTU unit.

"Renzo" - if you get a brand new portable AC unit - they come with a patio door adapter. it pretty much looks like a two by four with a hole in it that you wedge between the door and where the door would be in the closed position. My friend has on in her appt - it does a $hit job of cooling compared to the window units but its better than nothing.

are you able to put in a split/ductless unit? Don't know what your financial position is but they are effecient and work very well. They look like this;
https://panasonic.ca/english/applian...oner/index.asp

That's good if your running an RODI unit. I was talking about your electricity though lol. Is that included? If so I would go for the most BTU's you can afford. If not I would be carefull which one you choose as AC's suck a lot of juice. Especially the older models.

lol my bad. Yes it os included. I pay $300/month and it covers everything. I am looking at a 10k BTU unit right now... which is the most I want to spend ($350-400)

Found a danby that sparked a bit of interest. The unit has to be inside. I didn't look into much when I purchased the place and we have a freaking book of bylaws/rules, one of them says no ac units out the windows and nothing on the decks (bikes/using them as storage)

So where is the best place to buy a portable one? I'm going to check out canadian tire and best buy after work

Hands down kijiji or craigslist. Its something people get rid of all the time (moving, get central air, etc.) especially if your on a bit of a budget! :thumb:

If you're not picky on looks and don't need the patio door secure (up high enough) you could just rip a piece of wood 6" or so to the height of the door. Drill a hole in the wood for the exhaust and sandwich it between the frame and the door.

get one from Costco. it works great

Or carefully read the bylaws to find out what they can do about it. I lived in a building with a rule about no dogs bigger than a toaster. If you kept one, it was a $10/month fine. Each month. Forever. So the guy downstairs with the big dog paid an extra 10 bucks a month on his fees :)

Did you see this one?

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=76146

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ293822546

just an example...

You will get a better quality unit for less than half the price. Just my opinion though. Some people just won't buy something used. I'm dutch.