Chiller

[grahammcb]

I am in the process of looking for a chiller for my 125. The temp is already getting to 83 during the day and I imagine it is only going to get higher during the summer. I do not know very much about the different manufacturers. Does anyone have any recommendations? Also how loud do these things get? My tank is in my living room so if you could let me know how loud your chillers are that would be great too. Thanks for the help.

graham

 

[The Reef Down Under]

I like the Pacific Coast chiller, i have 7 running with no problems. I just set a cl 650 up on a 125 it brought the temp down very well. They are very quite too..

 

[just dave]

I've used Aqua Logic , Tradewinds, and PCI Chillers and while none of them were loud you can hear them. I have a Current-USA Prime chiller (they have options to add heaters and/or U.V. sterilizers ) coming in for Dustin and I'm sure he'll report on the noise level for us. From experience I'll tell you that as the summer gets hotter chiller availability diminishes.

 

[boofer]

Dave, Glad to hear you were able to snag one
Tank hit 85 yesterday for some unknown reason...Maybe the high humidity.
Graham, Im concerned about noise also, so Ill update once I get it installed.

 

[just dave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7345633#post7345633 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by boofer
Dave, Glad to hear you were able to snag one
Tank hit 85 yesterday for some unknown reason...Maybe the high humidity.
Graham, Im concerned about noise also, so Ill update once I get it installed.

You were lucky. It was the last one they had.
It'll be in Friday.

 

[cateyes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7342181#post7342181 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by just dave
From experience I'll tell you that as the summer gets hotter chiller availability diminishes.

you mean new ones from the manufacturers? why is that?
don't they have a stockpile?

 

[neuroslicer]

I've got a PCI chiller, model CL 280 on a 65 gal tank. It's only 1/10 HP, but it brings the tank down from 82 to 75 with no problem (and it's hardly ever on, and I have 4 46 inch VHO's). When it does go on I can barely hear it. If you add a second powerhead to circulate water from your sump to your chiller to your tank, you can add a SCWD for more wave action. Just make sure your overflow can handle the added volume.

 

[just dave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7346093#post7346093 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cateyes
you mean new ones from the manufacturers? why is that?
don't they have a stockpile?

New ones.


Because everyone that tried to hold out but could not are suddenly ordering them.


The ones that become the hardest to find first will be the cheaper imported models in the smaller sizes.


American units seem to be available in most sizes for the duration but they cost quite a bit more.


Let me say this: It sucks to have to buy a chiller and in many ways you can equate its purchase to that of a generator.
If you have the need it can be a life saver (cherry one) and you'll wonder how you ever did without one.

 

[grahammcb]

Thanks for the replies.

Dustin-if you dont mind let me know what you think about the noise level when you get it hooked up. I guess it may not make a difference anyways if you got the last one.

Neuroslicer - It never occured to me that I would be adding more flow through my drains if I go from the sump to the chiller to the tank. (it seems like I always overlook something) I might be able to get away with it but I think I am close to maxed out on that since my overflows already have a slight gurgle. Can you go back into the sump or does the chiller not work as efficient that way?

Also has anyone used the Arctica chillers before? They claim to be the quitest, but I would assume they all make close to the same amount of noise.

 

[neuroslicer]

You CAN go from your sump to your chiller and back... heat will be removed either way. But the more you can pump into your tank, the more opportunity you have for wave action. And having the water flow down to your sump, in my case, gives me an opportunity for filtration (I've got a sheet of blue filter media at the top of my sump which I change out often, just to remove course detritus). But as you say, this becomes a problem if your overflow is already taxed to its limit.

 

[boofer]

Graham, This chiller is alot quieter than the fan I was using in the sump area and the fan stayed on all the time. Ive only heard the chiller come on once, and that was for 2 minutes when I first turned it on. The initial start-up is the loudest, but it settles down after that. I wouldnt call it loud, but you can hear it if your in the same room...HTH

 

[just dave]

I could hear everyone I've ever used.

 

[grahammcb]

Boofer - What size chiller did you get?

 

[boofer]

1/4 hp prime chiller...but I should have gotten the 1/3...right Dave?

 

[grahammcb]

I am looking at the 1/4 hp also because it says it rated up to 200 gallons. Did you get the UV add on?

 

[boofer]

Yes, but there back-ordered....Ill have 2 15 watt UV's to add-on when they arrive. The chiller is actually smaller than I though it would be, which is good. Its a nice thing to have and its not that loud IMO.

 

[just dave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7383712#post7383712 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by boofer
Yes, but there back-ordered....Ill have 2 15 watt UV's to add-on when they arrive. The chiller is actually smaller than I though it would be, which is good. Its a nice thing to have and its not that loud IMO.

They arrive the 19th.
Got three coming. One extra to go with the 1/3 if someone wants or as a spare when you break one of your.

 

[just dave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7383667#post7383667 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by grahammcb
I am looking at the 1/4 hp also because it says it rated up to 200 gallons. Did you get the UV add on?

The 1/3 is the same size and is only a little bit more. You-know-who should have gotten it instead.