Need a new chiller...

[coralfish]

Well, my Aqua-Medic 1500 is leaking and must be replaced. Of course it is out of warranty so there's nothing that the guys at Aqua-Medic can do.

I will use either a 1/3 or 1/2 hp model. My tank is a 220 w/55gal sump. Lighting: 4 250w MH, 3 110w VHO; Pumps: Mag 24, Mag 18, Sen 9000, & 5 powerheads.

The chiller will be placed under the floor, in the homes' crawl space. Temp will be controlled by an AquaController II at about 78*.

My choices are:

TradeWinds, JBJ, AquaLogic, & Current USA.

I'm interested in recommendations based on personal experience. Let me know why you like your chiller and what you dislike about it.

Oh yea, I need advise fast as I need to order it tomorrow or Wednesday. Thanks

 

[ronhjr]

Ive had my JBJ 1/3hp running my 180 fowlr for about 3 years now. and its great, Since my tank is in the living room, I needed something quiet, and this sure is. The only problem Ive had w/ this unit is that the fuse has blown twice on it. JBJ, supplies you w/ 2 fuses so thats a good thing. Once the 2nd one blown, I called JBj and for like $20.00 that mailed me a packet of 10 of them.
But overall thrilled to death w/ this chiller.

 

[coralfish]

You think it would work with no problems on my 220 with all my lights and pumps? How long does your's run on your 180 at a time and what is your temp pull down?

 

[moonpod]

If you can sport for it, the JBJ commercial 1/2hp is amazing. Draws very little juice. works really well. Not as quiet as the 1/3--has a REALLY big fan, which is I think part of how it actually draws less juice than the 1/3. Good unit. If I was to go back to conventional chillers, it's what I would use.

 

[coralfish]

Moonpod,

What do you use now?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

i would like to know as well?

 

[moonpod]

Well, I mostly don't even need one, but otherwise, I have an ecochiller.

 

[coralfish]

Why do you prefer the eco chiller? From what I found out they have Japanese made compressors. What makes this un-named compressor better than a Copeland compressor or other brand?

 

[moonpod]

the eco chiller from deltec. Not the one marketed by sls. It's a swamp cooler. Uses fans and evaporation. no compressor. Less than 1 amp draw cools my entire system no problem.s

 

[powdertang05]

ive had good luck with the pacific coast chillers they are good and cheap when it comes to price

 

[coralfish]

powdertang05,

What size do you have and what size tank is it on?

 

[coralfish]

I think I'm gonna go with the Tradewind 1/2 hp compact.