Problem with chiller

[rz1a]

i have a pacific coast chiller cl650, 1/4hp chiller. i bought this from someone in austin couple months back but didnt use it until today. im trying to see if the tank can cool up to at least 78-77 degrees. ideally, id like to keep the tank at 79 and have it fluctuate between 78-82, i say the lowest at 78 because it jumps up quickly back up to 79

this might have to do with the house being kept at 80, but when i try to cool below 79 it has a hard time. its on a 75g tank and its out in the open in the living room. any idea why it cant cool below 79? it only stays at 78 for a few seconds before it gets to 79. im more worried about the chiller being able to perform rather than whats in the tank, since there really isnt anything in there atm

[CoryDude]

What sort of heat load does the tank have. Lots of pumps, mh lights, etc? What's the tank been running at w/o the chiller? I don't think it has to do w/the house being at 80deg.

First verify that the unit's getting enough h2o flow (their web site suggests 600gph-1000gph for that model) and verify the temp probe accuracy.

Maintanence wise, you can clean the condensor coils on the unit to remove any air restrictions that could decrease efficiency. You may also want to disconnect the chiller from water loop and just run h2o w/a light bleach mixture thru it for a few hours to help clean the heat exchanger's h2o contact chamber.

[rz1a]

i talked to the previous owner and he finds it strange.

tank would run around 84-85. the pump is a mag 7. the tank has a mag drive 9.5 thats external, an MJ1200 for a phosphate reactor, and the pump for the skimmer. the powerheads are vortechs, so i dont think they contribute much heat. lights are 6x54w, but i only use 2 bulbs. even at night it cant pull down below 78 degrees

previous owner suggests i lower the flow rate to see if that would do. but i dont have a valve on it.

how much bleach per how many gallons?

[CoryDude]

I got this from wetwebmedia.com:

<About once a year I'd remove it from the system and run some weak bleach water through it for an hour or so and then and hour of rinse water... can be done with a bucket and a pump, returning the water to the bucket. Leave out in the open air for a day or so and then reconnect.>

I've personally used no more than 1 cup of bleach per few gallons of water. Just enough to where you can smell it in the water. I try to run my h2o/bleach combo in the opposite direction of the normal flow.

[CoryDude]

That mag 7 should be pumping enough water for the chiller. And you said the unit is getting fresh air? So, it's setting beside the aquarium and not in the stand?

I'd really check the condensor coils and flush the heat exchanger out. Beyond that, someone w/more experience may have a better suggestion.

[rz1a]

so i just connect the pump to the OUT and let the water flow out from the IN? i've got some Lavender Bleach, guessing its scented, would that make any difference?

[CoryDude]

Sent you a pm w/the process I use to clean mine. Let me know if I missed anything. Not sure if this will work, but it won't hurt.

[rz1a]

thanks cory! that helps a lot. im going to try this as soon as everything clears up down here

[JeffCo]

If it's old at all, it probably has built up dust in the coils. I took an air compressor and blew mine out a few weeks ago and it was caked full of dust.

[CoryDude]

No problem. Don't forget to clean those coils also. You can use just a brush, air compressor (as suggested), or I use a vacuum cleaner to suck out any dirt/debris between the aluminum fins. Hopefully, between the 2 you can get some better performance. Good luck!

[tropicana]

Do you have a Heater on the tank? Make sure your not fighting the heater. I thought i had an issue with mine when i first hooked it up, it was just fighting my heater, and the Temp guage may show 82 but still the water could be 79. check the water temp with a diff temp guage too.