Chiller Selection

[Ricardo Jaber]

I just set up a RSM 130D but the weather here in Monterrey Mexico is very hot.. with the lights and pumps the water temperature stabilized at around 93ºF.. (the tank has only saltwater, not even rocks) so I obviously need a chiller.. the question is the size of it.. do you think that a 1/10 HP would be enough (34 gallons)?
Are the AquaEuroUSA chillers good and reliable? they are the least expensive ones.. followed by the Coralife.. what brand would you recommend..?
Thanks for the help

 

[Ron Reefman]

I'm in SW Florida and we keep our house warm (80-84F) in the summer. I had a 75g & 35g tank tied together with a JBJ 1/10th HP and it worked fine. It was the quietest chiller I've ever had.

Now I have a 180g DT, 70g nem tank and a 120g sump all tied together and I have a AquaEuro 1HP chiller. It's big and it does make noise, but that isn't a surprise is it? I have it in a plastic storage unit out behind the house on the north side in the shade. It works well and has been in use for 2 years now.

 

[dan-in-gr]

Hi, If your high temps were more of a summer thing around 93 degrees on a few days a 1/10hp chiller would be fine. You are in a hot state and expect these and even higher ambient temps for long periods of time, you will find that a 1/10hp chiller will run a lot. I would go with a 1/5hp chiller. Also note that when a chiller runs it is pulling heat out of the aquarium, but it is exausted into the room. You will be much happier with the larger & quicker pull-down of the 1/5 chiller. Currently you are looking at 15 degrees pull down and 93 is not even the hottest part of your year, asking a very small chiller to do it on a continue basis is very hard.

 

[jeffberg]

Tradewinds good chiller good customer service.

 

[eco37]

I did custom set ups and aquarium maintenance for close to 6 years. We used Aqua Euro chillers a lot. Very dependable and priced well. 1/10th will cool a RSM no problem. I think they are rated for like 70 gal or so ...