Aquarium Chiller

[Bck2hobby]

I am looking to purchase an aquarium soon, and would like some info on a chiller. I have a 40g tank with just fish/LR/Sand and a protein skimmer. As soon as I get my lights, I will be adding corals. I am interested in knowing how much h/p will I need to handle the 40g.
Thanks in advance

 

[Ron Reefman]

A 1/10th HP will do it just fine. I had a JBJ Arctica on my 130g system in SW Florida and it didn't even work hard. BTW, the JBJ Arctica was dead quiet.

 

[jpruitt]

+1 for JBJ. I have a 1/4 horse and I don't know when it's running. Great chiller.

 

[Bck2hobby]

Thanks for the info and +1 on the noise hehe - google is my friend come on JBJ

 

[danil]

+2 to JBJ. Also get few fans and run them first (before running chiller). In most cases few fans will be enough to keep your tank cool.

 

[ReefBank]

As the first summer for my tank approaches, i'm starting to mull over this idea as well.

what kind of fans are you talking about....just some small computer fans pointing down at the sump? or something else.

thanks!

 

[HumbleFish]

In most cases few fans will be enough to keep your tank cool.

+1 to this. Unless you plan on housing your tank in a garage or something. I wouldn't even consider buying a chiller unless you can't keep the temp down below 84. Waste of money IMO (like a UV).

 

[danil]

As the first summer for my tank approaches, i'm starting to mull over this idea as well.

what kind of fans are you talking about....just some small computer fans pointing down at the sump? or something else.

thanks!

Any household fans (aka Honeywell, Lasko etc ) or computer fans or specifically design for aquarium fans - any will work. Just point it toward water surface (sump or tank) and it will cool your tank down very well. Evaporation will go up so having good ATO is a must. For my setup (sump is in garage) and location (CA) fan is sufficient up to 95-100 degrees outside. After 100 I have to run a chiller. I'm thinking of installing second fan and see if they can handle 100+.
Fans are really cheap vs chillers are expensive. Running fans put very little load on your socket vs running chiller could overload your socket. NEVER run chiller off the same breaker your tank uses. Should be another line.

 

[Phinnay]

Unless you live somewhere that hits 100 degrees in the day time, don't have air conditioning, and are running MH lights, you probably don't need a chiller.

 

[Lincutis]

+1 to this. Unless you plan on housing your tank in a garage or something. I wouldn't even consider buying a chiller unless you can't keep the temp down below 84. Waste of money IMO (like a UV).

I don't know about this. With the chiller I am not a slave to air conditioning. As one guy to broke to even be in this hobby:lolspin: I like the savings of opening some windows, turning on a fan and not worrying about the tank temp.

 

[Bck2hobby]

I guess I can go the fan way and see if works out, if not chiller it is.

 

[HumbleFish]

I don't know about this. With the chiller I am not a slave to air conditioning. As one guy to broke to even be in this hobby:lolspin: I like the savings of opening some windows, turning on a fan and not worrying about the tank temp.

Well, a chiller is not a way to save $$$. Between the cost of the chiller itself and the electricity it takes to operate it; it would be more cost effective just running the AC. :hmm5:

 

[Lincutis]

Well, a chiller is not a way to save $$$. Between the cost of the chiller itself and the electricity it takes to operate it; it would be more cost effective just running the AC. :hmm5:

Sorry I need to clear up. I like having the windows open and not having to run air. If the temp is too high in the home I don't have to worry about the tank getting warm while I'm enjoying the summer.

 

[danil]

I guess I can go the fan way and see if works out, if not chiller it is.

Sure thing. We are all do the same. Fans are first line of defense then chiller kicks in to help them out. GL!

 

[clownmama]

Thank you for this thread! Sorry I didn't see it before posting my question.