Anyone with chiller experience?

[leeweber85]

The UNI aquarium has a chiller that needs servicing. The temp has been running at 84F since I have become involved with its' maintenance (at least a week).

Does anyone know what the common problems assiociated with chillers are? Can they usually be repaired? Any advice would be helpful.


Sorry I don't know the make/model yet, but it looks to be pretty old. I will try and find out more info about it tomorrow.

 

[got2lb]

I would think any type of refrigeration repair type place, or HVAC should be able to repair something like that. They're basically setup like a small refigerator or air conditioner aren't they?

 

[waverz]

It's probably low on freon or has a bad compressor. I think in most cases you are better of just buying a new one, but i could be wrong. Why is the tank running so hot? What kind of lighting does it have?

 

[davidm199]

so what does the UNI stock their tank with. What size is it? Worth the time finding a spot to park to take a look at it?

 

[bgreenlee]

Lee

First thing I would do is take it offline and use a pump to circulate clean water backwards through it. Then run a little bit of vinegar in some tap water through it for awhile in both directions to clean sediment out of it.

They will not start if they do not sense adequate water flow, I have seen a couple not work for that reason.

What kind of chiller is it? External thermostat or built in?

Billy

 

[leeweber85]

Thanks for the advice. I really haven't even looked at it for more than a couple minutes, but the person hiring me to take care of it says they tried cleaning it out today, they said the temp dropped to 83 then climbed back up to 84 again. As far as what type it is, there is a large pump that feeds into it and it empties into the sump (I think). I don't know about the thermostat, I assume it is plugged into the Ranco controller.

As far as equipment, I really need to bring a tape measure. It looks to be 8' long, 24" wide, and 24"+ tall. I believe it has 4 250w HQI's in an outer orbit or similar fixtures. It probably runs that hot because it has glass tops and there are no fans blowing across. I have requested that we remove the glass tops and run a fan...Hopefully they will be ok with this, because that is probably the majority of the temp issue.

As far as checking it out, it's at the bottom level of the science hall. There isn't a whole lot to see, but I hope to change that. IMO it has been pretty neglected. Caulerpa (grape and feather) have over run the whole tank along with LOTS of aiptasia. Maybe you would want to come see it just so you can see the difference I hope to make. Depending on what time you come, you might be able to park in the meter parking which is fairly close.

 

[Atticus]

You should smuggle a few berghia's in there...

 

[got2lb]

I believe it's a 240 gal. tank? It's 8' long I'm pretty sure. Unless they've changed the lighting over it, it used to have 2 2x250 watt geismann fixtures over it. It used to look pretty nice when Joe was running it but I haven't seen it in probably 2 years.

 

[davidm199]

lee if u ever need help with that tank jsut let me know, i would love to help.