Chiller questions

[AqCons]

I need to put a chiller on my 180 reef. I have 3 175 W MH bulbs but am only running 2 right now. I just put on a new BlueLine 70 HD pump and it shot my temp up to 86.6. I put some fans on but it only came down a little.

I need to know what HP you guys recommend and if you think Pacific Coast chillers are good or what one is good to use. Also, dropin or use a pump? I would definately have to use a submersible pump.

Thanks for the help. It's my first chiller (if you haven't noticed)

Forgot to mention, needs to be as quiet as possible as it will be in the stand.

 

[egdevilboy]

I run a 1/10 HP Pacific Coast Imports chiller on my 45 and it works wonders. Yet its rated for a 100 gallons...

I'd go with around 1/3 hp to ensure good conditions during the summer.

My chiller runs around 300-600 hpg and like isaid, does wonders.

 

[AqCons]

Is it quiet? Thanks!

 

[FuzzyLogic]

IMO any chiller over 1/4HP is LOUD. I use a 1/3HP Arctica on my 120 and it sounds as if you were standing outside next to a window/wall shaker AC unit. Also, if you are planning to put the chiller in the stand make sure it has plenty of ventilation. Most require at least 1ft of clearance around the air intake and exhaust sides of the units. Here is a link to help you size a chiller click here

 

[moonpod]

All chillers over 1/4 are much louder than the smaller HOWEVER there is loud and there is supersonic. Arctica's are about as good as you will find for larger units in terms of noise and the 1/3 is what I would recommend. Additionally ANY large chiller ain't gonna work well in a stand. They need to BREATHE. You're gonna want to remote it no ifs ands or buts. They generate a LOT of heat. I had one in my living room in my last setup and it made the summers unbearable in that room.

Another option is an ecochiller. They also need to ventilate as they are essentially swamp coolers, but they are quiet and electrically very effecient.

 

[Wiggawam]

More info on these ecochillers?

 

[moonpod]

deltecusa.us

It's a swampcooler essentially. Forced evaporative cooling.

 

[giantxtc]

I just recently installed my first chiller...1/4 hp Aqualogic on my 90.It only runs a couple of times a day for no more than 30 minutes at a time.Usually when the halides are on.And,it is about as loud as a window ac unit.As heavy as one too!

 

[AqCons]

The stand has a vent (similar to a home air conditioning vent) on each end. I could make that larger if need be. But I can't put the chiller outside of the stand. It's in my waiting room where there's a lot of children and sometimes parents don't keep a close eye on them. So I'm afraid the chiller could be messed with.

 

[moonpod]

Well...that's a problem....you need a way to actively vent the stand then....that or look to reduce the heat input in the tank

 

[AqCons]

How much venting are we talking about? I suppose the two vents I have aren't enough? Do I basically need more venting in the stand than I could provide? Or is it possible?

 

[jimbo045]

That is the brand I use and it is good. JD

 

[moonpod]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6674888#post6674888 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AqCons
How much venting are we talking about? I suppose the two vents I have aren't enough? Do I basically need more venting in the stand than I could provide? Or is it possible?

Well it's not that the thing doesn't work, but it doesn't work as well. It won't be venting as well as probably recommended. It's a heat exchanger and the exhaust heat is optimally exhausted away from the system. Otherwise that exhaust heat just increases the ambient temp of the air around the system, which exacerbates your problems.

 

[AqCons]

Okay. Thanks for your help. I think I need to see if I can reduce heat in another way. I know the pump I have on is turned down, so maybe I can put on a smaller pump and add more fans.

Thanks for your help!!

 

[moonpod]

OK first tip. Pressure rated pumps generate more heat than flow pumps. Second, what pumps and other heat generating devices. are in the tank already?

This is in a waiting room?

 

[AqCons]

I have a BlueLine 70HD pump. But it is too big...too much flow.

I have 2 Metal Halide Bulbs 175 watt each. I did have three but took one out because it was directly over the glass centerbrace.

Also have 2 6' URI Actinic 03.

2 moonlights

No powerheads.

I do have a titanium heater and it is working properly.

I have 2 4" computer fans - 1 on top and 1 on bottom.

I had recently put on the BlueLine pump and took off the Mag 12 (which I had inline). This took the temp from 82 to 86.6. That's when I put the fans on. With the fans on, it goes down to about 83.

I need to put a different pump on but I'm not sure which one. I have 2 overflows and there is about a 5' head on it.

I have softies, and LPS. No SPS are intended for this tank. I might do clams at a later time.

Thanks!

 

[giantxtc]

On another note,maybe you could build (or have built) a cabinet to house the chiller.I have even seen ones with fans built into them to export some of the heat,and other fans to blow into the cabinet to disperse the heat.Just thought I would throw this into the mix of things for ideas.