cooling just a couple degrees on 140g

[tdsounds]

As of right now my temperature for my 140g with a 30g sump is typically at 82 after a photoperiod of 8hours with 2x250 halides. I need to run a longer period. I have a fan in the sump and two fans pulling out of the canopy. I want to add two 110watt vho's but I'm worried about the summer heat in the months coming soon so I'm researching on chillers if that is my last resort. What would you recommend in pulling a couple degrees of my tank? Also, would I have to get another pump to run the chiller?

140 oceanic 48x24x28
30g sump tunze skimmer
panworld 50PXX-MD30X

 

[jasonfrey]

Hi,

For just a couple degrees, you could use a Pacific Coast CL280 1/10HP chiller, save quite a few dollars. The only thing that would worry me is summer time for you, or if you add the VHO's and need more then a few degrees. I imagine you could get 3-5 degrees out of the 280 on your size tank.

If you want to be safer in the summer though, you might consider the Pacific Coast CL650 1/4hp. It would give you a good 10 degree cushion of cooling power.

All the Pacific Coast chillers are inline, so this means you have to feed water to them, so you'l need another pump, or T off your main pump, but you need around 500-600gph of flow, so usually it's a 2nd pump.

Your other alternative is the TradeWinds 1/4HP Drop-in chiller. Has a coil you put in your sump to cool the tank, so no extra pump needed. TradeWind is high quality USA made brand, but also quite a bit more expensive then Pacific Coast inline chillers.

thanks

 

[tdsounds]

Thanks for the info. Definitely I would be saving a lot with the pc 280 chiller, but how about electricity wise? Electricity isn't that bad for me since I live in Louisiana which has about 9cents per kwh, but if the chiller runs all day long I could imagine a good bit of heat going into the living room and cost to run it. If it doesn't really cost that much, that would be really awesome! I'm worried about cost in the long run. If the 1/4 could be more beneficial than I would rather consider that one. One more question, would a mag 7 be enough on a closed loop running to the chiller be more than adequate? Thanks for the quick reply!

 

[jasonfrey]

Hi,

Chillers do add some electric cost, really similar to running a small window air-conditioner. As to 1/10 compared to 1/4. I'm not sure how they would compare. The 1/10 would run more often. Many people feel smaller overworked, is better then larger underworked. Not sure who is right, i know they always debate about this on home AC etc.

On the pump, i think mag7 for the 280 is fine, for 650 should be ok or go with mag9.

thanks

 

[GoldStripe]

tdsounds,

Try flipping the fans to blow in. I had the same problem with mine. I thought it made sense to pull the hot air out but this wouldn't keep my temps down. Flipped the fans, and poof, 76-78 degrees constant.....

 

[tdsounds]

thanks for the inpu. Sure did pull the temps down a lot better, but I did evap which was good for dosing kalk!:rollface: