CHiller Questions

650-IS350

650-IS350

Active member
I've got a 100 gallon tank that I am thinking about using a chiller with.

*Its sumpless and using a MCE600 and a Large CPR aquafuge with protien skimmer.
*Using 2 seio 1500's but will replacing them in next 2 weeks with 3 Hydor Korialis #4's.. for less heat and energy consumtion.
* 8 bulb 48" Tek T5 ( 54watt x 8 ) system 5" from top of tank

The hottest this tank has gotten before was 86 and thankfully at that time I did not have corals yet.. but now have a bunch of zoo ,
SPS, LPS pieces that I am worried about cooking this summer....

I doubt I will need a 1/2 or bigger chiller and don't want to spend much $$$$. I know I will have to buy an intank pump for it tooo..

Recommendations of what brand and type would be nice and also the best place to get it at.

thanks

Charles V
DELSOL650
 
For a 100g I think all you need is a 1/4hp. I was using the Pacific Coast CL-650 1/4hp chiller when I had my 90g. This chiller is a little bit loud but it does its job fine and cheaper compared to other in line chillers.
 
I have a 1/3 Aqualogic inline on my 90 (about 135 total gallons) and it works great. Got it through Marine Depot. It is the only brand I've used so I have nothing to compare it to. I also bought a controller but many brands will come with a one stage or two stage controller built in (2 stage turns on the chiiler/heaters). You're probably going to need a decent sized pump to make the chiller run efficiently. This will obviously add heat and might be difficult to place in your tank-not to mention you'll have two fairly large lines running in and out of your tank. I would go with a drop in chiller if I didn't have a sump and couldn't run the chiller off my main pump. No lines, no extra pump. You will have a relatively small line going to the chiller coil but that's it. You would just need to make sure you could find a brand that has a long enough coil line for your set-up. The coil would need to end up in a high flow area.
 
Yup, I live in the valley part of Pacifica, the mountain blocks part of the wind/fog ( hardly get fog here )... and my house dose get WARM.... even with just T5's it does get warm... hopefully once I change out the seio's to Hydor Korialis #4's less heat immiting and power cosuming... I get those next week... which is why I am trying to get info now so that after changing the PH's out and no change is seen then I would def need a chiller..

Dang it Elite, when I am gonna get some zoo's from ya ???:lol:
 
I'd go 1/4 hp for the 100 gallon and 1/3 hp if you plan on upgrading to anything bigger than a 150 gallon within the next year.

I really like my JBJ 1/3 hp. But...

Another consideration when buying a chiller is whether or not you have a controller or not. I have an AC3 and use it to control the chiller. I probably wouldn't have gotten the jbj because it has it's own temp controller it's not good for the controller to be turned on and off frequenlty.
 
I'm not sure if you will see anything different by replacing couple PHs.

When my tank has no more AEFW and the weather get better for fishing :D ..
 
Hell we can both go fishing here in Pacifica...

As for chiller wise, I'm seeing them with controllers built in and some has an extra controller for the heater...

and most important that damm thing SHOULDN'T be loud....
 
Hell we can both go fishing here in Pacifica...

As for chiller wise, I'm seeing them with controllers built in and some has an extra controller for the heater...

and most important that damm thing SHOULDN'T be loud.... heard some are about 42db
 
I haven't heard anything bad about drop-ins... but that doesn't mean much. They are limited in where you can place them and you might have to raise it to get the coil in your tank. My Aqualogic seems quiet to me but it is outside and I'm not sitting next to it all the time. You're welcomed to hear it if you're ever in south san jose. The extra controllers (dual stage) are nice as the chiller and heaters will never compete against each other. They are also a safety device in case your heater sticks on. I'd bet the new pumps bring down your average temp. Does it hover around 86 in the summer or was that a peak when it was super hot? If it stays at 86, I'd get a chiller. If that was just a spike I'd try to get by without one. My chiller doesn't come on until the tank hits 82. Your house will get warmer with a chiller as they blow out warm exhaust-kind of like having a window A/C except the hot air isn't going outside.
 
right now, at peak day heat.. the tank is hitting 82.xx
then I turn on a small fan which drops it to about 79.xx but I just don't like the added amount of evap which means more adding of water... at least with a chiller I could lower the temps and with no evap.
 
wouldn't be a lot cheaper to get an auto top off to deal with the evaporation? Or if you already have a topoff, just get a bigger fresh water reservoir.
 
I'd probably go without one-but, then again, I've bought a lot of things I probably don't "need". If you have the room for a larger resevoir, I'd also go with the top-off system. If not, I agree it would be more of a hassle to top it off yourself daily. IMO, there is plenty to do in this hobby and anything that makes it easier is worth serious consideration. It's hot down here today!
 
Just got back home with atinics only on and temps at 82.1 and its about 74.5 outside.....

Besides Delta TrimLine 1/4HP In-Line Chiller W/ Controller
what do you guys think of these other ones..

TradeWind 1/4HP Drop-In Chiller w/ Controller #17425
Current USA Prime Tower 1/4 HP Chiller
Pacific Coast Cl-650 1/4HP In-Line Chiller W/ Controller
Artica Titanium chiller 1/4
Aqua Euro USA Mighty Pro Chiller 1/4
1/4 HP Coralife AQUA-CHILL
Sea Line SL-300A 1/4HP Aquarium Chiller

If I forgot any more please feel free to add more choices here and what you think of em', I want a chiller with controllers already and can if possible can control a heater as well.
 
Last edited:
I'd stay away from Coralife. The others, I don't know. Might want to try in the main equipment forum.
 
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