Chiller?
- Thread starter kjonulak
- Start date
AZBigJohn
Usually confused...
Many do, I personally don't use a chiller.
I have clip on fans over my tank, and while it increases evaporation, I have no trouble keeping my tank less than 80 degrees.
Of course I live with a hormonally challenged individual, and our inside AC is kept fairly cool as well.
I have clip on fans over my tank, and while it increases evaporation, I have no trouble keeping my tank less than 80 degrees.
Of course I live with a hormonally challenged individual, and our inside AC is kept fairly cool as well.
jener8tionx
New member
I'm probably in the minority, but I have a chiller hooked up even though my tank is never over 80 degrees just in case something goes haywire with the AC.
Rippinfrags
Active member
No need for a chiller in my opinion, unless you keep your house really warm 85+ degrees. Fans aren't really needed unless you use MH lighting. In the spring and fall your house will stay cool throughout the day because of the cool nights. Also your ac should only run if it gets to a certain temperature. So I always have my ac on in case the house heats up from a random hot day in the spring or fall.
kjonulak
New member
Good idea about setting the ac as a fail safe.
I am using LED lights, so no extra heat from the lights.
evolved
Wrasse Nut
Most of us do everything we can to avoid one.
If Ext. Temp > 75F Then AC = ON
Dec-Feb is the only time AC isn't on.
But that is a good reason to have one.
Does not compute...
If Ext. Temp > 75F Then AC = ON
Dec-Feb is the only time AC isn't on.
CoralReefBoffin
New member
Whats the ambient room temperature inside the house, and does it fluctuate based on any family members personal preferences ?
kjonulak
New member
My tank has been running about 5 weeks, so I don't have a full year to know how the house temp will affect the tank temp. We also moved to AZ in December last year. We lived in Phoenix back in the early 80's so we know how the weather varies throughout the year.
Currently the house temp changes 3 degrees per day. 74 at night and 77 during the day. We are home most days so I keep the house cooler for my wife. On the 110 degree days the house will get to 78 during the day. So right now with the ac set 24/7 no issues. In fact I have a heater in the tank to keep it at 79 degrees.
My concern is during the months where the temperature could fluctuate. That's where the suggestion of another reefer said to keep the ac set to come on if that happens.
I have a 45 gallon marineland cube and a modified Eshopps sump as a fuge. Total water volume is 34 gallons. I measured it when I setup the tank. LED lights, an Aquaticlife 115 skimmer, a Rio 1400 as my return pump and 2 Jebao RW-4 wave pumps. So my equipment is not overheating tank. Without the heater the tank was running 75-76 over a 24 hour period.
I should also add we are currently in a rental. We are in the process of building a new house. I also have a modified RSM250 sitting in the garage waiting to be installed when the house is finished. I am also planning for a 3'x3'x2' cube in the new house. Will be about a year before the new house is ready.
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I really don't see much of an issue with your set-up and why you would even think of needing a chiller, especially if you are running a heater. I have never had much of an issue with 1 degree swing. Before I got a fan, my tank fluctuated 2-3 degrees in a day without issues. Wouldn't suggest risking it though.
I keep my tank at 81 - house temp is 79 at night and 80 in the day. I've lived in AZ for most of my life and this is cool enough for me.
I have halides, and it heats up the tank, and I have one fan so my tank hovers between 81.0 and 81.3. No issues and everything is growing nicely. Fan turns on at 81.3 and turns off at 81.0. I know that this is warmer than most people's tank but it works for me.
I keep my tank at 81 - house temp is 79 at night and 80 in the day. I've lived in AZ for most of my life and this is cool enough for me.
I have halides, and it heats up the tank, and I have one fan so my tank hovers between 81.0 and 81.3. No issues and everything is growing nicely. Fan turns on at 81.3 and turns off at 81.0. I know that this is warmer than most people's tank but it works for me.
Monchompa
New member
That's right! What's your temp at now? I find naturally the water temp in AZ will rise too high. And to bring it back dowin I'd recommend you put a fan in your hood or in your sump area. I have mine on a timer and it comes on as the lights do. The fan is in my hood and keeps the temp about 4-6 degrees cooler than without it.
Funny, I remember seeing your posts when I lived in Chicago as well! Good to see you moved to the same state I did! Lol!
NaClH20NMYVEIN
Red Dragons!
They are not needed if you run fans but they are a nice insurance policy. Your lighting and canopy also may play a role on how hard it is to run a tank without a chiller.
kjonulak
New member
My led light system is sitting on a set of AI rails about 8" above the water's surface. No hood or canopy. Tank will actually cool down at night and I need a heater to keep it at 79 degrees.
