Chiller for 120g

[Riclat]

During past summers I've gotten tank temps into the low 80s and am therefore thinking of investing in a chiller. The prices of these things, however, are awfully hard to swallow.

For my 120g with 40g sump can I get by with a 1/10 hp? Any suggestions on brands or models that are relatively well-priced? Marine Depot has JPJ Artica Titaniums on sale, 1/10 for $399; 1/5 for $579. Also, I'm hoping to not to have to plumb this down to the basement, so noise is a consideration.

Thanks for any help!

 

[ultimate125]

bump, same q here...
are the Via Aqua's any good?

 

[Tylt33]

I run a 1/3 HP on my 120g + 55g sump. It takes about 30 minutes for it to drop water temp 2 degrees. What is your ambient room temperature going to be? What are you going to try and keep your tank temperature at?

The first step you should do is buy two clip on fans to use evaporative cooling...

 

[Pablo Escobar]

Same issue - I currently run cpu fans across the top of the water and sump. It helps cool but I have to top off a lot of water and it can make the house humid. Room temperature is 76-78.


I too am looking at the current sales. I've heard a lot about noise etc. As requested can someone recommend a chiller that is quite and perhaps has UV capabilities? I cannot yet search the forum but would love some recommendations, pics, etc.

 

[solitude127]

1/10th is way too small for a 120. I have 1/5 JBJ on my 90 and it's barely enough IMO. The JBJ does a good job for me. When it kicks on, it sounds like a loud refrigerator. My dad has a Teco and he likes it. It's much quieter than my JBJ. The smallest I would go for a 120 is 1/4th. A lot too has to do with the ambient temp in the house. If the ambient temp is in the mid 80's you might want to consider something stronger. If I were to do it again, I would like to have my chiller in a separate room.

 

[Tylt33]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14996959#post14996959 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pablo Escobar
Same issue - I currently run cpu fans across the top of the water and sump. It helps cool but I have to top off a lot of water and it can make the house humid. Room temperature is 76-78.


I too am looking at the current sales. I've heard a lot about noise etc. As requested can someone recommend a chiller that is quite and perhaps has UV capabilities? I cannot yet search the forum but would love some recommendations, pics, etc.

Tunze, JBJ Arctica, Aqualogic, Current USA. Those are some nicer chillers... I can't really speak to noise on anything other than the JBJ, and even then, I don't have anything to compare it with.

 

[Tylt33]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14997895#post14997895 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by solitude127
1/10th is way too small for a 120. I have 1/5 JBJ on my 90 and it's barely enough IMO. The JBJ does a good job for me. When it kicks on, it sounds like a loud refrigerator. My dad has a Teco and he likes it. It's much quieter than my JBJ. The smallest I would go for a 120 is 1/4th. A lot too has to do with the ambient temp in the house. If the ambient temp is in the mid 80's you might want to consider something stronger. If I were to do it again, I would like to have my chiller in a separate room.

He's running a 120g + 40g sump...

 

[Riclat]

My tank is in an air conditioned room. I guess the ambiant temp is about 83 during the day in the summer. I've got 2 250w MHs and two VHO actinics. Of couse, the problem is when the metal halides kick on. I now only run them 4-5 hours a day. The temp goes up into the 83 range.

My tank has a canopy. Two large IceCap fans are installed in the solid top. I also wedge the front of the canopy open to get more air circulation.

I'd like to be able to keep the water temp round 78 and my metal halides on longer.

 

[Tylt33]

What if you ran your Halides beginning at like 6 in the evening, when things have cooled off?

 

[lobstaâ„¢]

1/4 hp chiller and bigger will keep your temps down(keep in mind bigger = shorter duty cycle)
its $$$$ but worth it when everything stays alive and well :]