Chillers

[Marlin]

I'm looking at getting a chiller for my reef tank. It's a 77 gallon Oceanic with a 30 gal refugium/sump. I need to bring the temperature down 4 to 5 degrees during the peak lighting period (about 4 hours).
I'm considering the Artica Titanium 1/10 HP or the Pacific Coast 1/10 HP. Has anyone had any experience with either of these and/or any recommendation of something better?

Rick

[Thunderkat]

My tank is close to a window so I just stuck a window AC unit in there and have it blowing on my tank. :lol

[abe77901]

I use the artica 1/10 on my 100 gallon with a 30 gallon sump/fuge and it does a good job.

[Marlin]

Unfortunately, I can not do that. The room temp is OK. It's just that I have 2 - 250 W MH and 2-100 W VHO actinics on during peak light periods. The canopy has 2- 4" fans on whenever the lights are on. Water temperature sometimes hits 85 degrees. What is more concerning in the temp swing from night to peak lighting hours- 79 to 85 degrees.

Rick

[schoeplein]

I'd simply suggest mounting a fan in your setup. A simple fan or two will help keep everything from going over 82°. You may also consider, if possible, raising your MH higher up in your canopy.

Chillers, imo, are just way to expensive for practical uses.

[Marlin]

I have 2 - 4" fans and the MH's are 12 " off the water.

Rick

[schoeplein]

Yipes! What about your VHO? Are they also elevated?

[Beckmola24]

I've heard GREAT things about the Pacific Coast Imports chiller. It has a built in controller.. I actually called PCI myself and asked a few questions and their customer service was excellent. I will be getting a 1/2 HP PC chiller for my future 227g. HTH!

[Marlin]

Yes, the VHO's are about 10" off the water.

From everything I've read and heard so far, the Pacific Coast chillers are very good. One thing I'm going to try before I buy anything is to make a larger opening in the back of the canopy to let more air in.

Rick

[mathias]

what do you keep your house temp at?

[Marlin]

I keep the house around 78 Degrees. Outside temp here in the Rio Grande valley has been hitting close to 100 every day.

Rick

[CD]

Rick - if you do get a chiller, you may want to consider doing this also...install fans in the canopy and have them kick on at the same time the chiller comes on. This really helps boost the efficiency of the chiller, keeps the temp. regulated with almost no "swings", and the chiller won't run as long (helps greatly to reduce your electricity usage).

W. :)

[alexwolf]

i have the pacific coast 1/4 hp on my 240. Works great.

[Tim Marvin]

So your canopy is enclosed? That is the problem. I run the garage temp at 80-82 degree, and the tank stays 79-82. I have 2 DE 250w halides one DE 400w halide and 8 T-5's on a 180 gallon system. There are 3 fans blowing directly on the water.

[falcondob]

There are 3 fans blowing directly on the water.

So, having the fans blow ON the water, as opposed to OUT of the hood is a more efficient setup?

[CD]

So, having the fans blow ON the water, as opposed to OUT of the hood is a more efficient setup?


Yes...there's more evaporation that way, and more evap = cooler water temps. Since heat rises, you can cut a couple of slots or holes in the top of the canopy for the heat to escape.

W.

[Beckmola24]

I've been talking with a few people that make stands and canopies, and they actually install fans on the tops of their canopies to help expell the heat out the top. On top of that you can try the fans on the water. I did that on my 20 gallon and it kept it very cool even though our house was like 90 degrees (we didn't have air in Seattle) :sick

[Marlin]

I have a 4" fan bringing in room air from one side of the canopy and another 4" fan blowing air out the opposite end of the canopy. This blows air across the water. Additionally I have 6 - 4" diameter openings on the top of the canopy to let heat go up and out. These openings do not have fans. Maybe a quick/easy solution is to put fans in a couple of the openings on the top of the canopy. I'm going to try that this weekend.
I really appreciate all the ideas and help I've gotten from you all. Maybe I'll be able to remedy this w/o buying the chiller. I'll keep you posted on how it turns out.

Rick

[gjuarez]

Hey Rick, it Jerry. Rick, one of the members of the RGV club was wanting to sell his chiller. His name is Frank and he was at the first meeting we had. I think he is asking $150.00 to $200.00, I dont really remember the price. I would go the route most people are recommending, which is install a fan that blows directly across the water, but if youre interested in the chiller I could give you his number. BTW, how are your acros doing?

[Marlin]

Hi Jerry:
I remember that someone had a Pacific Coast 1/10 HP chiller for sale, but I couldn't find it so I thought it was gone by now.
The acros are not doing well I think because of the temperature problem I have.

Rick

[MikeDeL]

N/M

[schoeplein]

Being someone who was heavily into computer modifications and cooling, you learn a lot about air flow, proper circulation, and how powerful basic fans can be. If positioned right, you can cool just about anything with basic fans.

And yes, I would definitely mount fans in every orifice of your canopy; have both side fans pushing air in, and all holes on the top with fans pushing air out. Basic laws of physics - heat goes up. :) ... and out.

[ReefOne]

i have a Pacific Coast CL-650 on my setup and it's awesome. Nothing else I can say except that I love the thing. Got a good deal, 300 bucks.