Chillers for 30 gallon Nano setup

[Jim Z.]

Any recommendations for controlling high temps in smaller reef aquaria. Thermo-electrical vs chiller? My house is not air conditioned which will affect the efficiency of a thermo-electric type of unit. My total volume of water is around 32 gallons (Volume of water in tank + sump-live rock substrate and appliances). i was hoping to find a smaller drop in chiller, but most of those are too powerful for a smaller reef tank setup. My heat generating appliances include 4 t5 bulbs, mag 5 pump and skimmer pump, plus 2 powerheads in the tank. The only cooling provided on the tank is a muffin fan in the hood which cools the lighting system. Thank you for any ideas....Jim Z.

 

[Victoria]

I too have a 30 gal. My house is not air conditioned either. I looked for different way to cool my tank in the summer months. I found that a clip on fan did the trick. It brought my temp from 82 down to 80. both of which are still in range. How do you measure your temp. The reason I ask is I have a probe, I keep it at just under the surface, as I believe it is slightly warmer right under the lights. If I put the probe at the bottom of the tank it reads slightly lower.

 

[Paladin]

I use a Pacific Coast 1/10 HP inline chiller for my 29g. If you don't want to go the chiller route, then get some fans to blow across the surface of the water in the main tank and also in the sump.

And Jim Z, how long you've been an entomologist?

 

[Jim Z.]

Evaporative cooling is a possibility. I may have to look into that for now until I can order a small chiller. I do like the fact that a chiller and controller can provide fairly accurate temperature regulation. One thing that worries me is that a 30 gallon is less of a heat sink than larger tanks and might be more difficult to maintain a steady temp. How quiet is your PC 1/10 HP chiller? I do not own a temperature probe and may have to save up for one as well.

I've been an entomologist for over 10 years and now identify bugs for a living. The reef tank provides an excellent escape from work.

Thank you for the ideas.

As Always,

Jim Z.

 

[Paladin]

The chiller is very quiet. My closed-loop pump is louder than the chiller, so I hardly hear it. The chiller is adjustable, but I decided to set it at its maximum swing of 4 degrees, such that once it hits 4 degrees above my target temperature, it kicks in.
I was asking about entomology because that field is what my son wants to get into as a career (he's entering high school in Fall). Any online (or other) resources you'd recommend? Thanks!