View Full Version : Info On Chillers...
mvght
03-03-2007, 10:50 AM
I have a 55 gal tank with 40 lbs. Live Rock, 3" DSB, Red Sea wavemaker with 4 maxi Jet 1200s, Oddysea 492 w light system (2 96wcfs blue actinic and 2 150wmh-unaware of K rating) a wet/dry trickle filter/refugium combo I built myself, (nitrates were high, so I replaced bio-balls with small chunks of live rock and now nitrates stay at zero...period) and a cpr backpack protein skimmer. I have had the tank set up for 1 year. Only live stock in tank now is 6 red-legged hermit crabs, one lysmata wurdennia (sp?) shrimp, 1 lawnmower bleeny,and 5 chromis. Water parameters are: Temp-78 deg, pH-8.1, Amm-0ppm, Nitrite-0ppm, Nitrate-0ppm, Cal-420ppm, Kh-8deg, Pho-0ppm...Sorry this is a long winded intro to my thread, but I believe in being thorough! Note there are no corals in tank yet. My lfs said to cycle the tank and let it establish for a few months first...I was new to the hobby other than a failed attempt at a FO tank about 10 years ago, and I failed miserably with limited access to info and internet. So I made sure I was able to maintain strict controls in regards to water parameters and what to do if those parameters changed. I feel I am fairly adept at that now and want to add corals. The only constant I cannot maintain is temperature...In the winter, the heater will maintain a constant 78 degrees...in the summer, temp can vary from 78-86. I am a carpenter so i work all day from 6-4 and can't be home to place ice bags or such in the sump, and they don't work all that great anyway...What is a good, fairly reasonably priced chiller, and where on the internet should I look? I will not get corals until I can maintain the temperature at a constant 77-80...Thank you fro your patience and potential responses. Mike
Germanman
03-04-2007, 2:19 AM
yea you dont want it going over 83 really.
look at this link for chiller ideas
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/NavResults.cfm?N=2004+113768&ref=3969&subref=AA&cm_mmc=LiveAquaria_DFS_Links-_-Fish_Supplies-_-LiveAquaria_Gen_Page-_-Chillers
i personally like this brand though they are very dependable
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12068&cm_mmc=LiveAquaria_DFS_Links-_-Fish_Supplies-_-LiveAquaria_Gen_Page-_-Chillers&ref=3969&subref=AA&N=2004+113768
fishieness
03-04-2007, 12:11 PM
id jsut get a window AC for the room. t hat is what i do with my tanks. it keeps both me AND the fish cool enough :)
plus, they are less expensive than chillers....
Germanman
03-04-2007, 1:06 PM
id jsut get a window AC for the room. t hat is what i do with my tanks. it keeps both me AND the fish cool enough :)
plus, they are less expensive than chillers....
yea that actually works well for most people. i just intalled some fans in my hood and it doesnt rise more than +-0.7 degrees anymore
id jsut get a window AC for the room. t hat is what i do with my tanks. it keeps both me AND the fish cool enough :)
plus, they are less expensive than chillers....
That's good to hear. My MHs make my tank so inconsistent at times so I've been recently researching chillers. I have a spare AC I could throw in the room but wasn't sure how well it'd work.
jojo22
03-04-2007, 7:56 PM
I love my central air!!:dance2:
sawyer1206
03-08-2007, 4:22 PM
Anyone ever seen anything as far as DIY Chiller goes? I thought of maybe adapting a drinking water fountain to use as a chiller. What do you think?
Reefscape
03-08-2007, 4:26 PM
Here is a little info on DIY chillers...it may help you...
http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46941
http://themantledmonster.thereeftank.com/chiller.html
Niko
drobes
03-08-2007, 4:56 PM
I just can't get with how expensive chillers are. I don't understand it. :huh:
Some alternatives that might eliminate needing a chiller are:
-not using a cover, or use egg crate rather than a glass top
-not using a canopy or installing a fan if a canopy is in use
-T5 lighting or even power compacts are much more heat friendly than MH or VHO
-look at the wattage used in all powerheads and pumps that run in the aquarium, this can greatly contribute to rising water temp. I was shocked to find my mag 7 consumed 70watts. The newer stream type powerheads are much more energy efficient and produce less heat. Tunze 6025 move 600 gph and only consume 7 watts, hydor koralia move even more water for less energy consumption.
-keep ambient room temperature cooler
-adjust lighting schedule
Reefscape
03-08-2007, 4:59 PM
some wise words there drobes...thats good info for people to see...
Niko
gomrjoe
03-09-2007, 2:49 PM
yea you dont want it going over 83 really.
look at this link for chiller ideas
i personally like this brand though they are very dependable
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12068&cm_mmc=LiveAquaria_DFS_Links-_-Fish_Supplies-_-LiveAquaria_Gen_Page-_-Chillers&ref=3969&subref=AA&N=2004+113768
Couldn't agree more with Germanman on this one, I have the Arctica as well and it is awesome, expensive, but awesome, you never have to worry about temp. again if you have one of these! I live in Miami, FL. so I don't have to worry about a heater, but I definitely had to invest in a good chiller, and this one is great!
FYi, don't get a drop in, a buddy of mine had one and it deep sixed his tank, that was about 2 years ago though.