Chillers?

[scuba_steveo]

I have never looked at buying a chiller because I have had no need for one. I may need one for my new 215. What are the good brands? What are the ones to stay away from? Whats the best place to buy from?
Any and all help needed.
Thanks,
steve

[TAXMAN]

I keep my A/C set at 72. My 180 runs 3 400W MH and a 660 VHO 3 140W bulbs. My thermometer went bad and I found that the water was running 84 before the lights came on and got up to 89 at the end of the cycle. I use a canopy hood. I put 2 Dayton 100cfm fans on the canopy that blows in onto the water that comes on and goes off with the 1st MH. I also added a fan in the stand that blows on the fuge water. It has an internal t-stat that comes on at 80 air temp. I payed 20.00 for it at home depot. The 2 canopy fans can be bought at an HVAC supplier. Like Johnstone for about 24.00..
Now my water temp is 80 in the morning and gets up to 83 at the end of the light cycle. Of course cooling by evaperation uses more water, but it does work. I evaporate about 3-4 gallons a day. This will cost me about a dollar a month in water and lees than 5.00 per month to run the fans. And the fans are cheap. Versus a 500.00 chiller and 40.00 per month in electricity.

If you use an open hood, you may be ok on your temps so you can just use the fans on the hood. Mine needs the fuge fan due to the mechanical heat in the stand.

Hope this helps you out a little.

[kaiser]

I have a 52" ceiling fan hanging over the top of my 125. Tanks stays at 78 degrees! Takes 1 to 2 gallons a day in top-off water.

[StephenA]

I have a 52" ceiling fan hanging over the top of my 125. Tanks stays at 78 degrees! Takes 1 to 2 gallons a day in top-off water.

What temp do you keep your house at?

[kaiser]

During the day, when I am not home about 82. Goes to 78 in the afternoon when I get home. It's one of those programmable thermostats. I don't have MH and have an open top tank.

[scuba_steveo]

the fans are my plan. the tank will not even be here for about a month so I guess only time will tell

[StephenA]

I'd wait and see. I keep my house at 78 and the tank stays at 80-83. It's an open tank with MH lighting.

[brewercm]

I have 2 400 watt halides and 2 110 VHO bulbs that sit eight inches over the water in my canopy on a 75 gal. Alll I have is one Wal-Mart clip on fan and keep that house around 76-78 an have no problems. Tank ranges from 78 to 82.