Chiller or Room A/C?

[Natterjak]

I'm in the midst of setting up my fish room and 180g tank, and I'm starting to think about the chiller issue. At this point, I'm not sure if it would be better to get a chiller or a room A/C. The tank is going to be in-wall, with a fish room behind it. The room is an existing room that was not built to code by the previous owner - it subsequently has no HVAC to it, but it does have a window.

I'm wondering what the costs are of operating a 1/3 hp chiller vs. running a room A/C (the room is about 100 sq ft). I was thinking about installing one of those mini-split A/C units.

If I get a chiller, I assume I would still have to get a dehumidifier for the room? Whereas the A/C would take care of that aspect, correct?

Pros/Cons and suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[RobbyG]

Chiller will cool the water faster and cheaper than an AC.

 

[blfuller123]

I have thought of that and will probabaly give it a try. My sump room is going to be around 100 square feet and I think I am going to go crazy with insulation. I think I can get a window unit ac ffor that size room for around $100 so it cant be that bad if it doesnt work.

 

[Karl K]

You'll appreciate having the reduced humidity in the 100sqft room doing your maintenance anyways

 

[smellsfishy2me]

quick note:
chillers will heat the room, so if you can install a ventilation fan as well and fresh air intake vent, and/or put your chiller outside, you will be even further ahead of the game, also excluding any possible humidity increase. Also,your lights will do the majority of the tank temp increase, so unless you can issolate them from the tank completley an air conditioner will do little, not to mention even if you use a temp controller to control the a/c there would likely be a preatty good temp swing while the a/c ties to cool the room which would likely be close to freezing, which in turn cools the tank.

 

[schwaggs]

If you use a room AC, you will have to use fans to cool the water which increases humidity in the room. When the AC is running, it will take the humidity out. When it isn't, you will have a moisture problem and will most likely need a dehumidifyer.

IMO, you are better off NOT running fans and running only a chiller. Vent it to the outside in the summer if you can.