chiller help

[Viet-Tin]

Ive never used a chiller before and need help choosing the right size. I have a 100 gallon 55sump/fuge with 2x250w mh. My tank temp is over 90 and everything in my tank was fried. My tank is an in wall design so the tank sits in the garage and garage temp gets high as well. I was thinking of getting a pacific coast cl-650 1/4hp. It has a 30 degree pull down on a 100. I was wondering if I could get away with using a 1/6 that has a 10 degree pull down on a 125. PLease help need to find a chiller fast.
Thanks-Tin

[aquadoc]

I wouldn't use a 1/6 hp on a tank that size. 1/4 hp would be better because of the fact that it will not be on nearly as much as the 1/6 hp. 1/4 hp wouldn't have to work that hard, wich in turn would probably give a little longer life, and less maintanence, and deffinately a lower electric bill. I use a 1/3 hp to chill my 125g, my 75g, and my 25g. So I think that a 1/4 would work perfect for your application. Also a good temp controller can make a world of a difference too.

[aquadoc]

I also knowsome one that is selling one pretty cheap. It is used so be carefull. It seems that lately used items are not realy the way to go, well from what i have read on several forums here. A rule of thumb, always go over what ever you are going to buy, even if it is new, to find any defects so the problem can be resolved right then and there. Also that all is well before any transaction is made so no bad mouthing can occur.

[Viet-Tin]

Thanks well if the chiller is a 1/4 then its worth looking at. Im in need of a chiller fast.

[NaCl_H2O]

I had a pacific coast cl-650, sold it to Alex Wolf so you might ask him how it is working for him. I had it on a 125g + 40g, total capacity with sump was about 200g. I was running PCs so I had lots less heat than your MHs. It did fine keepng up with this load. With your MHs and Garage temp, I might even consider a 1/3hp?

Since the tank is in the garage, have you tried some BIG box fans and an auto topoff unit ... that might make a BIG difference.

[Tim Marvin]

It is much better to go larger than smaller. The chiller will run a much shorter time if it is larger.

[Viet-Tin]

I talked to alex and said he wont part out until he sells his house. I do have fans running blowing across my mhs and need to work on a auto top off system. Ill keep looking around. I do see a few on ebay but theres no guarentee that ill win them. Thanks

[Dozer]

Have you considered insulating your garage, or at least building a small fish room into your garage and insulating it and maybe diverting your central A/C to that little room, or putting a small portable A/C unit in there? I noticed you live in Cedar Park, I'm talking about something like what Tim Marvin has done, but it could be even smaller for your needs. I can't imagine having a tank in my garage (non-insulated standard garage) in this climate. I can't even work out there myself with the door open during the afternoon this time of year without feeling like I'm going to pass out. Seems like it would be a gigantic pain to get my tank cooled down if it were exposed to it at all. I know at first the idea probably seems way too hard, but some 2X4's, some roll-out insulation and some sheetrock, and a little work, might save you a lot of headaches and money in the long run. Just thought I'd throw it out there.

[Viet-Tin]

ive thought about it but no room to build a small fish room since the garage is occupied by cars as well. Im might try and insulate the garage. The garage also has its own ac unit so maybe ill find a way to have it blow into the tank or something. My garage seems very humid due to the evaporation from my tank. Will keeping my tank cool cut down on the evap rate?

[brewercm]

I have my sump in the garage that feeds from my tank in the house and a wet/dry under the cabinet. I'm using a drop in chiller either 1/3 or 1/2 HP and it works great at keeping the temp down. Here's a link to the pics of the system so you can get an idea. Oh yeah, this is a 100 gallon tank, 55 sump (probably hoding around 35 to 40), and the inside wet/dry that holds maybe 5 to 10 gallons while running.

http://www.maast.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=13686

[TexasTodd]

1. Aim your fans AT THE WATER SURFACE, not the lights.

2. Go big. Down here I'd not go smaller than a 1/3hp in line unit for the system you are using and a half would be better. Eventually you will get a larger system and the 1/3 hp will already be close to maxed out, but would also be a good backup later if you get an even larger unit.

FWIW,

TT

[Viet-Tin]

Im just waiting for this chiller on ebay, hopefully I win. I wont be upgrading at all since this is an in wall design and the area it is in wont allow me to upgrade at all. Wish I could though...thanks for your input though.