1/4HP Prime tower chiller question??????

[Reefjunkee]

I just installed my new 1/4hp prime tower about a week ago.I have it temporarily plumbed to my sump with a maxijet 1200 until I can find the time to replumb it in my return.I have the thermostat set at 75.It turns on at 77 and back off at 75.It seems like it runs all the time and never reaches 75 though.I can set it to 76 and it cuts off.My tank is a 92 corner and I have a 20 gallon sump/fuge that stays about half full.A 250w mh,150w mh and 2 actinics that run about 10 hrs a day.So I`m guessing I have approx.85 gallons total volume with the sand,rock,etc.Seems to me a 1/4 hp chiller should chill to 75 quick and easily.I have the mj1200 in the overflow end of the sump and the return in the opposite end pointing straight at the inlet of my return pump(iwaki md30rxlt).Also we keep the air in the house at about 75 degrees.Before installing the chiller the tank temp would fluctuate from 75 in the morning to 80-81 after the light run all day.Will it be more efficient when I run it inline with my return?Any one else using this chiller and size tank having better results?Just seems to me it should cool a little quicker,I could be wrong.Any input greatly appreciated.Thanks,Rick

 

[Reefjunkee]

The manufacturer says it has a 30 degree pulldown from ambient temp.If say the temp in my canopy is 90 it should be able to pull the temp down to 70 right??

 

[PJSEA]

Don't have the equipment you do but the 1/4 hp Tower minimum flow is ~540 gph. The pump is not adequate for the job if the info I found is correct.

 

[DrBDC]

At 70 you'll probably kill your corals unless you are keeping an Atlantic or northern pacific biotope. I never let mine get below 78 in the winter and 79 in the summer or the heater kicks on.

 

[Reefjunkee]

I have it set to 75 my lfs owner says he keeps his at 75 with a 2 degree off set.I was just using that number as a guide.According to the manufacturer 300 gallons per hour is the min.The mj1200 does 290 so I figured it was close enough.I guess I`ll have to make time to plumb it to my return and see if it helps.

 

[Reefjunkee]

I did notice since my tank stays at a more stable temp my corals are opening a lot better.My sun coral opens all the time now whereas before it only opened for feedings for a short period and then closed most of the time.

 

[mecold]

your mj may be 290 before headloss and back pressure. I actually almost bought the same chiller, but were sold out when I went to p/u. Has some great features for an awsome price! Keep us updated about how it works out for you.

 

[Ursus]

I also think it is an issue of the pump not moving the water fast enough. Chillers operate more better the faster the water is moving through them.

 

[yellowtruck75]

I know this is an old thread but does anyone think that this chiller will work on my 125?