1/2 hp chiller for a 500?

[46bfinGA]

I found a good deal on a 1/2 hp chiller,and was wondering if you guys think that it would be big enough to cool my 500 gal. system.I was planning on setting it up controlled at around 83 to come on using my AC3 to turn it on.
Im hoping to use fans to cool the tank down most of the time controlled by the AC3 also.Plan on using 2 fans to blow across the T5's which will be hanging around 16" from the top of the tank, and maybe one or two fans blowing under the stand to cool the sump down. Using my AC3 I am going to turn the sump fans on at 78 and the fans over the tank on around 80-81.Then having the 1/2 HP chiller to come on at 83.

Should work right? My basement stays pretty cool in the summer.No sun entering the basement all day.I also have a window in my fish room if I ever need to open it or install a window AC unit or something.

So I guess my main question will I be wasting my money if I buy a 1/2 HP chiller? http://www.aqua-medic.com/chiller_AT5000.shtml
It says it is good up to 500 gallons,but do you expect my tank will get over 83 enough to make this run all the time.How often do your chillers run?

 

[woz9683]

Is the system setup now or are you still in the planning stages? With just T5s and some fans for evaporative cooling, you might not need a chiller at all. Also, do you really think your tank should fluctuate 5 degrees every day? I'm not advocating that you run a 1-2 degree window as that's not really natural either, but still, 5 degrees fluctuation on a daily basis seems like a lot.

 

[46bfinGA]

Planning stages. Im not sure how the temps will fluctuate because its not setup yet,so Im really unsure at this point.Im hoping that the tank will never reach 83 and the chiller does not come on.Basically Im just trying to research and get all the equipment that I will need and happen to find a great deal on this chiller.Just trying to see if you guys thank that it will work on my system.

 

[GMFett]

I have a 600 gallon display and have a 1 horse chiller. I also have 3 400watt halided 14" above the water. It runs a decents amount. A 1/2 horse should handle that with such mild heat from the lighting. It is important to remember a smaller chiller will run MORE thus RAISING your electricity bill.

 

[Bebo77]

its best to set up your system so that you never need a chiller.. i dont use one on my 300..

if a chiller fails you will cook everything.. thats not good...

 

[woz9683]

Yeah, I tend to agree with Bebo77. With a tank that large, and only T5s (you didn't answer, will it be just T5s?) you will have a pretty large surface area to aid in cooling by evaporation. Not to mention a sump in a cool basement will help too.

You'll probably need a couple of heaters (on a controller) to keep the tank from getting to cool, but I don't really see heat being an issue for your system.

But, I guess if you wanted it for bare minimum usage on extraordinarily hot days or something like that it would be a pretty good chiller.

 

[woz9683]

Hmm, that sounds kind of negative. I don't mean in any way that there is something wrong with the performance of that specific chiller, I just mean that ideally you shouldn't need one at all.

FWIW, it looks pretty cool and that's nice that is has the controller built into it. What kind of deal would you be getting on it exactly?

 

[46bfinGA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10243825#post10243825 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by woz9683
Hmm, that sounds kind of negative. I don't mean in any way that there is something wrong with the performance of that specific chiller, I just mean that ideally you shouldn't need one at all.

FWIW, it looks pretty cool and that's nice that is has the controller built into it. What kind of deal would you be getting on it exactly?

$500 bucks and it has only been used for 3 months. I dont think I will need one either,but for 500 bucks it would be a nice insurance for the days when the tank may rise above 83.Now if it backfires and runs all the time then I will kick myself in the butt.I do realize that a 3/4 or even a 1hp would be more what I would need if I was having heat issues for extended periods of time,but I just dont think thats going to happen,being in my basement that stays so cool in the summer.

 

[46bfinGA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10243305#post10243305 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bebo77
its best to set up your system so that you never need a chiller.. i dont use one on my 300..

if a chiller fails you will cook everything.. thats not good...

Well is using the fans the way I will have them controlled with my AC3 not setup to not need a chiller.I guess im just unsure what you mean by this.
Im hoping the chiller ends up being just a redundancy and not needed except for those rare days that the heat may creep up.

 

[46bfinGA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10243811#post10243811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by woz9683
Yeah, I tend to agree with Bebo77. With a tank that large, and only T5s (you didn't answer, will it be just T5s?) you will have a pretty large surface area to aid in cooling by evaporation. Not to mention a sump in a cool basement will help too.

You'll probably need a couple of heaters (on a controller) to keep the tank from getting to cool, but I don't really see heat being an issue for your system.

But, I guess if you wanted it for bare minimum usage on extraordinarily hot days or something like that it would be a pretty good chiller.

Yes the tank will be run off just T5's. I have two 8' 6 lamp fixtures so my total wattage with 54 watt lamps should be around 600 watts. I plan on running them around 16" or so over the top of the tank..I plan to build an aluminum light rack like alot of others have done here for there luminarcs,etc... And install fans on either end that will blow thru the fixtures.

Bare minimum is exactly what Im hoping for as far as the chiller running.Would I be better off just waiting until the tank is setup or should I jump on this chiller?

FWIW, I will be using my AC3 to control my heaters(3-4 250watt stealth heaters) and not this chiller,even though it has controls in it.

 

[woz9683]

I think I would wait to buy the chiller because it really doesn't sound like you're going to need one.

But, that does seem like a really good deal for a 1/2hp chiller. I guess you could buy it, set the system up, and then if you don't need it you could easily sell it for the same amount.

 

[steve the plumb]

witch lights do you have I am wondering and I am still waiting for that skimmer from ORCA.I am also looking into T5 but I am on the list for 2x48" ATI fixtures and I don't know if I will get them

 

[46bfinGA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10248344#post10248344 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steve the plumb
witch lights do you have I am wondering and I am still waiting for that skimmer from ORCA.I am also looking into T5 but I am on the list for 2x48" ATI fixtures and I don't know if I will get them

My lights came from work. They have been using them in Home Depot's across the U.S. to replace the Metal Halide fixtures that are in the stores now.You may have noticed them at your local HD.Anyways I have two of them that were extras on the job,and I now have a perfect place to use them.Each fixture has 6-48" T5 lamps

 

[steve the plumb]

hey nothing beats free.Did you pick up a skimmer yet?

 

[Jar*Head]

I don't think you will need the chiller but it is good to have one just in case. I live in Southern Cal and it could get pretty hot in the summer. Last year, my chiller running all day long to keep my 240 Cube at 78 degrees. Earlier this year i add the refugium so my total water volume is around 550g -600g. I also add 4 9" fans from Wal-mart, fan controlled by the ACJr turn on at 79 degrees and off at 78. My chiller hasn't run yet, i try to maintain the temp at 78-80 degrees.

With 4 250w Metal halide and 4 36" VHO approx 12" off the water surface, it could get really hot. But my tank maintain at 78-79 with out any problem. It takes a lot to heat up 500g of water. You may save the money and buy yourself some strong heater

 

[GMFett]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10243305#post10243305 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bebo77
its best to set up your system so that you never need a chiller.. i dont use one on my 300..

if a chiller fails you will cook everything.. thats not good...

Bebo- I agree but sometimes thats not possible..

If you live in texas and dont have a chiller- you dont have a large reef tank. With a good controller if the chiller fails- which does happen- it will shut off the halides to lower your temp.

-Marcus

 

[46bfinGA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10251333#post10251333 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steve the plumb
hey nothing beats free.Did you pick up a skimmer yet?

Your right about that,its not very often you get anything free for this hobby! Im going to use a dart needlwheel skimmer on my tank.Im having a friend build me a body with 18" acrylic around 36" tall reaction chamber. the skimmer will be around 5' total height with bottom box,riser cone,and collection cup included..Im going to buy the dart NW conversion for one of my darts that I allready have.Should be sweet and at a 1/4th of the price of similar ones!

 

[46bfinGA]

Reefer714 your right I may not need one,I actually have never owned one as of yet,but with as much money as Im going to have invested in this tank by the time im through.I feel like 500 bucks will be good insurance just in case.
Its sounds like the fans are working well for you,thats good to hear.I really think that the fans will be a cheap way of maintaning cooler tank temps without the chiller kicking in as much.

 

[Jar*Head]

46bfinGA, it is good to have a chiller hook up "Just in case". But why Aqua Medic tho? I have seen the 1/2 HP aqua medic chiller. But doesn't look like it can handle 100g tank . If you are going buy, get a good one. Something like Pacific coast import, coralife, or aqua logic or at least JBJ.... . I just add 4 more fans today, here is some pic

2 of the double on each windown (each fan adjustable 1 in, 1 out $24)

2 on the sump

2 on the fuge

and two on the back of the tank mouted on the wall. Getting pretty hot today, my fans running all day maintain my tank at 79 degrees.

 

[46bfinGA]

Why Aquamedic? I dunno I just came across one for sale.Ive never owned a chiller before so I dont know what is good and what is not.You have seen the one that I posted a link of,looks pretty nice to me? Those black fans that you have on your fuge are the same exact ones I use. They blow really good and are easy to mount.I dont have my heart set on the chiller or anything so If you guys think that they are junk let me know,and I will gladly pass on it.