chiller question ?

[chrisjet]

I need a chiller for about 140g total. I was wondering what type you use and how much it costs. I need an inexpensive one that would work for me. Do you have any suggestions. I dont want to go the DIY route.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[bertoni]

Moved to the current forum for more views.

I don't use chillers, so I can't help much, personally.

 

[noodles9987]

i have a prime tower chiller. I paid 525.00 for my unit last year. I had the 1/4 hp unit. The thermocouple went out las tmonth. IT was coroded. As a result, they sent me a stainless steel replacement. Putting in the new part was a snap. However, when I re-attached the hose, I broke the water in-let by torking the fitting down too much. It cracked. Prime said these should only be hand tight, and that it happens quite often.

They were really great about the whole thing. They told me to send the unit back and they would get me out a refurbished unit right away. They ended up sending out a 1/3 hp unit. I ended up with a larger unit than what I sent to them. The unit had some slight scratches, but I really can not complain. I was very happy with their customer service. And they didn't charge me anything either. The prime units are really ok in terms of beign quiet. I seem to think the Arctica units are quieter, but for the money, the Prime unit is great.

 

[30reef]

Chris, I would recommend an Arctica chiller. They are 1 of only a small handfull of chillers to be UL listed. This was my highest priority when I was chiller shopping. The Arcticas also use very high quality compressors and an internal temp controller that will read in tenths of a degree. My other choice would be an Aqua-logic. These may not be the cheepest on the market but I feel it's justified in reliability.
I would use a 1/3 hp for a 140g system to keep duty cycling to a minimum. Keep in mind that size of chiller WILL have to have it's exhaust vented outside to avoid heating the room up which will in turn cause chiller to run longer. Pulldown is directly related to ambient temp in front of condenser.
I see some really good deals in the used forums from time to time. You should be able to get one for around $500. That sounds like alot but then again you have 140 gallons of water to cool.

 

[aandon]

I have two aqualogic chillers, both of which have worked except for--and this sounds bad--one time when they caused my tank water to be electrically charged so that everytime I touched it I got a painful electric shock. The problem went away quickly by itself but understandably I have a conditioned aversion to these chillers.

 

[andydavis141]

i got tradewind in-line. its expensive($900) but it kicks ***!

 

[otterpop510]

that sounds pretty scary aandon, how did it go away by itself?..

 

[aandon]

don't know, I just unplugged everything, plugged it all back in, dried everything up so there were no unknown drips or puddles, and I no longer had any reason to fear my tank

 

[SALT WATER CRAZ]

I have a tradewind in-line it rocks

 

[hohmfree]

Check out Pacific Coast Imports chillers. My 1/2 hp unit is awesome.