Chillers

[SFish]

I have a 55 with a 30 gallon sump. My tank seems to top out around 80F in the summer. I was looking for something not all that pricy. Any brands you guys use? I was checking out ice probes but I'm thinking for the amount of water I have that's not going to keep up let me know if I'm wrong on that.

Thanks

 

[James77]

There is nothing wrong with 80 degrees on a tank. Actually it is ideal. Tanks can easily be in the 82-84 area with no problems. The most dangerous part of temps is large swings that the animals are not acclimated to.

If a tank is kept at a rock solid 78, then experiences a 4 degrees jump or fall for whatever reason, that will stress everything. I have had tanks in the summer that swung from a low of 80 to a high pushing 86 everyday.

Not saying to do that , just that 80 degrees is not something I would get a chiller for. If you were going to 83-84 or so and had to turn off lights, then I would look into it. Even then, simple fans may help.

 

[Kearnel]

Could always try and find a used one, much easier on the wallet. I scored a JBJ, not sure on the size but it's the largest of the bunch for a cheap $125, bit of a noisy thing though.

 

[gbru316]

Try using fans to facilitate evaporation first. Much cheaper than a chiller.

 

[r_g]

i am at 80-81 always with no problem.

 

[SFish]

Thanks guys

 

[E46Twist]

Same, i run at 80 with no problems.

 

[SFish]

In winter I've been setting it at 78 that's why I was wondering

 

[SFish]

Try using fans to facilitate evaporation first. Much cheaper than a chiller.

That's why I was looking at ice probes. I was wondering if I would be able to lower the temp by 2* or so. Maybe I should just run in the 80's during winter then. I thought 80* was on the high end. I guess not.

 

[gbru316]

That's why I was looking at ice probes. I was wondering if I would be able to lower the temp by 2* or so. Maybe I should just run in the 80's during winter then. I thought 80* was on the high end. I guess not.

You'd need 3-4 ice probes costing close to $500 plus the hassle of modifying the tank to use them. Fans are like $5.

Besides, as mentioned before 80 isn't bad. My tank sits at about 81.5.