Nano chiller; summer is around the corner...

M

mikeguerrero

New member
Reefers,

My 6 gallon is cycled and ready for play, but one important element is not installed, the chiller...

I was waiting for JBJ to launch their nano chiller but after I got off the phone with them, they will not release it until the end of July so that plan is scratched...

There are three nano chillers that have been on my mind and I have narrowed it down to only two...

The ICE probe didn't make the cut because you have to drill into the tank and even if you do that, it can only bring down the tank 6-8 degrees on a 20 gallon tank and from reviews is not that adequate at that.

Teclima Micro Chiller is a cute nano size chiller that I have wanted for quite some time. It's only 8 x 6 x 8.4 footprint and even has a nice design where it could fit into any decor; only draw back is that Tongs in Fountain Valley wants $369.00 big ones for it, that's the sale price, regular price is $399.

The runner up is made by Pacific coast chillers which has a good reputation on chillers. This nano sized chiller is 8.5 x 10 x 8.4 only slighty larger than the teclima and has a decent design to it; best part is the price only $233 shipping would be an additional $12 dollars no tax since it's from Arizona.

Here are the links to both:

http://www.fritzpet.com/chillermicro.html

http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/chillers.html

Thanks

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VS

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If I was buying a chiller based on aesthetics I would probably go for the Teclima. I bet if you were to pay cash, you could probably persuade them to not charge you tax, usually works for big purchases. But I'm not sure about that.
 
Is the pacific coast thermal electric or compressor? yah if it is compressor. nah, if it's thermal electric.

teclima for $369 on sale, $399 regular. yeah right, I bought a 1/10hp Acrtica for $400.

just my 2 cents.
 
Just buy a small portable ice box for about $25.00 shipped to you. drill 2 holes in the top and run as much clear PVC tubbing($5) in the frige you can and you now have a chiller for a nano for under $35.00
Search for portable ice box on google. They are designed to hold one 6 pack of beer.
 
No air conditioning in SF ? I'd recommend a window air con unit.

Our house is kept at 78 and there's no overheating problem with the tanks.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7347507#post7347507 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Agu
No air conditioning in SF ? I'd recommend a window air con unit.

Our house is kept at 78 and there's no overheating problem with the tanks.
Click to expand...

I second this

I don't see how with AC A tank temp can't be controled. I had my 55g at 73* having the AC at 78*. I bring down the temp to 73* with a couple of computer fans, 2 in teh display and 1 in the sump. Never had a temp problem.

Now if you live in PR like I do now it is almost imposible unless you have AC on the house, wich I don't have. Well I do but electricity here is ridiculous expencive.
 
Hmm we went without AC on my dad's tank for about 3-4 years since it never really gets all that hot in Oakland. But last year he got AC installed and even though it only gets used maybe a couple weeks of the year, it seems to be worth it.

I think you should be ok with just fans on a smaller tank though. However if you have the cash to burn, I say go for the pacific one, especially if the teclima one cannot do dual duty as a heater.
 
Thanks for all the responses...

I do need a chiller, I run a massive 150 watt MH over my tank; it gets really hot in just 3 hours of usage we are talking about 83 to 84 degrees and I haven't gone beyond 3 hours...

I just need to see which one will work best, check out my setup:

xpzbd0.jpg


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Hey Reefers,

I got off the phone with JBJ about one hour ago and I have cool news. JBJ will be launching two nano chillers for all of us, yes two chillers...

One will be targeted for 40 gallon tanks and the other smaller one will be for 25 gallon and below. Yes you heard me right, I said one is going to be targeted for the small nano users like me...

HERE IS THE BEST PART, BOTH WILL BE COMPRESSOR BASED!!!

They are scheduled to hit our LFS stores by the end of June and he also mentioned nanoturners will get them as well, I hope to see Chris starting the pre-orders soon...

I told him I will definitely wait for this one and I'll be one of the first to jump on board; so who else is with me???

Lets start the list here so I can forward it to JBJ.....

Mike Guerrero = 1 order 25 gallon JBJ chiller
 
mike that a nice nano. The light that you have is the same on I want for my nano.

ITs nice to know JBJ is launching a chiller for nano tank. did they menstion price range? and launching date?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7350664#post7350664 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kenny77
mike that a nice nano. The light that you have is the same on I want for my nano.

ITs nice to know JBJ is launching a chiller for nano tank. did they menstion price range? and launching date?
Click to expand...

He said price will be very reasonable, nothing like the Teclima Micro chiller that goes for $400...

He said the price range will be a lot lower than that and in fact very comparable to the Pacific coast nano chiller that is at $233...

MG
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7350849#post7350849 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Econ
Hey Mike:

Great tank! What kind of tank and lamp do you have in that system?
Click to expand...

I have the Coralife HOT 150 watt MH, 14,000 K bulb....
 
Mike,

Thats great to hear! I live in Sacramento, Ca and have already had to float ice bags a few times. My 12 gallon would love to get the smaller chiller. I will purchase one.

-Jared
 
Wow, i'll be looking for this new JBJ chiller for sure!

Quick question, why is _compressor based_ better than _Thermal Electric_?

Wouldn't the latter be quieter? I want to get something very efficient and *Quiet* for roughly 40g of water.

Thanks:)
Angela
 
Thermal electric is a lot quieter than the compressor based but for really small tanks 10 gallons and below...

For a 40 gallon tank you will need a compressor based chiller to keep up with the heat; I would recommend any JBJ chiller they are really quiet...
 
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