Chiller use a good deal of energy. A good 1/3 hp chiller for example could pull around 7 amps when running.
If you need one you need one but I wouldnt stop running the fans. I would use them in conjunction with the chiller. The fans use alot less energy than a chiller does.
You need to size the chiller according to not only the tank size but the number of degrees you need to pull the temp. down in the tank as well as the ambient temperature of the room or space that the chiller will be operating in.
You DONT want to undersize the chiller. It will run for long periods of time and often will end up using more energy than a properly sized chiller because of it. You dont want to oversize the chiller because the chiller will pull the tank temp down too quickly which can be stessful to the animals. Plus, very short run cycles arent good for the chiller.
I personally feel that the best chiller on the market it the Tradewinds chiller. The are made in the USA and Hal, the owner, is an absolute professional with an impressive background in the commercial/industrial side of the industry. He is also great to deal with.
Not all chillers are the same even for the same HP and/or BTU ratings. I have used several different chillers over the past 20 years. I had a well regarded name brand 1/3 HP before I bought a 1/3 hp Tradewinds chiller. The Tradewinds pulls the tank down 2 degrees in about 30% less time than the Brand name chiller pulled it down by 1 degree. The less efficient chiller was operating correctly. The Tradewinds is just a better, more efficient design. I wouldnt but anything but a tradwinds now with the possible exception of a Universal Marine .... but they are ridiculously expensive.
A chiller is an investment. I personally dont feel that saving a couple hundred bucks up front for a cheap unit ever pays for itself in the long run.
There is a good, detailed chiller sizing calculator located at this link. It will give you a general idea about what size is suited for your system ...
http://www.jbjlighting.com/prod_chiller_size.asp
Visit
www.Tradewindchillers.com and contact Hal, the owner by email with any questions you have. He can tell you what size chiller is best for your system when you give him the details.
The Aqualogic chillers also have a very good rep.
Gonna send you a short PM with some details I dont want to post here.
