Chiller??

[syncere]

I am pretty new to San Antonio and still have not gotten used to the weather mood swings. Does anyone run a chiller anytime of the year? Is it a good investment in Texas knowing the temps outside can get pretty high?

[aquasport24]

It all depends on what setup do you have (like enclosure w/ 1000w halide or open top w/ just 200w ). My last tank got as high as 84 w/ no effect on livestock. But i think it is a very good investment b/c it only runs when you needed.Having one hook up and standing at all times is not so bad.

[alton]

I have 3 - 250w MH's and 1 - 160w VHO. I run 3 fans, 2 in the canopy and 1 into the cabinet. My home stays around 74 and my tank temperature run's from 75 to 78.

[CoryDude]

My upstairs tank doesn't have one and has some hardy soft corals and a anemone. It can get to 82-83 degrees during June-Sept months, and does just fine.

But if you're doing more delicate species like sps, strawberry corals, etc, a chiller is a good investment. Especially if your tank gets above 78 degrees. My downstairs sps tank relies on a chiller during late spring through mid Sept. But, I also run a lot of pumps and lighting on that tank too.

[Big_Pun]

i dont run a chiller but on hot summer days ill get up to 82 most time im at 78-79, i have one 250w hqi and open top but ill be picing up a azoo fan to blow on the mh light to help

[kkiel02]

My tank goes from 79-81 daily. I keep a little bit of everything in there from sps to lps to softies. I have been about 50/50 with acros but all my montis have made it. It always seems to be the harder to keep ones that make it. No chiller but after Marcus' presentation I may buy one for my next tank. Oh and I have a single clipon walmart fan for my fuge/sump area.

[syncere]

Well I'll be running a 20 gallon and made sure to keep it away from the windows for the colder months, or alternating weeks it seems like, and it sits almost directly below a vent so when the AC is on it should blow right over it to keep it a little cooler. What size of chiller would be adequate for this tank and perhaps a larger tank if (more like when)?