New Climate and Chillers

USAF427

USAF427

New member
Hey all,

Another question for you...
So again I am moving down in July from the Frozen Expanses (Cleveland) and am in the process of planning my new aquarium, my question is, how many of you guys run a chiller? I've never had to run one before, but I know it will be hot in Nashville, especially in July. I typically have to run a heater all year to keep my aquarium stable. I dont know what set up I will be using (lighting, pumps, etc) I am just trying to plan my budget, and need to know if I will be buying a chiller or not.
Thanks
 
I personally don't, but that's because I have a small tank with only 150w MH above it. There have been times that I wanted to, though, for sure, and I know there are many people in the club who have to. Most of them have 2 - 250w MHs for lighting. Personally I'd think you could just about plan on having to use a chiller if you're using MH lighting.

Brandon
 
you could do like we do and keep the house 68 year around:) cost a bit more in the summer, but with good insulation it is not that bad. I run 3x400w MHs with no skimmer

-bart
 
I don't run a chiller either - but do keep a cieling fan near the tank running and angle the air vent toward the top of my tank. I am only using T5s though. My tank runs 1 degree warmmer in summer.
 
It's good to hear, being the expense in buying a chiller. does anyone have recommendations on "inexpensive" chillers (I know, I know inexpensive is an oxymoron with chillers)
 
Just like almost everything except corals in reefing, I think going used would be your best bet.

What kind of lights are you thinking about using? I never needed a chiller when I ran T5HOs, much like Jennie. Or you can live in a refrigerator like Bart. :D I can't say too much, we keep our apartment at 65 to 68 in the winter... can't afford to in the summer, though!

Brandon
 
I do run a chiller in the summer with three 250's in my 180 and a garage sump. I have a 1/4hp that is undersized. I need to recharge the refrigerant in it this spring. I keep the tank at 80 in the summer and 78 in the winter.

Please excuse my brevity. This was sent from my Android via Tapatalk
 
I ran my 185 w/100gal sump and 3x250W MH with no Chiller ever and that tank ran at 78-80 in the middle of the summer. The best way is Fans blowing across the water surface where you can and that worked for me. It had a lot of evaporation but water is cheaper that Power down here, Buy a little any way!
Orthokardia is setting that exact tank up right now FYI
Bill
 
Good point bill. I plan to add a fan this spring. I have a really nice squirrel cage one ready to go

Please excuse my brevity. This was sent from my Android via Tapatalk
 
It depends, smaller open top tank with maybe only one halide maybe not...larger closed top tank with 2 or more halides, definately...assuming you run you air like most do that is (72 F).
 
I kept mine at 74 degrees and it was fine like that, But i had the 100 gal rubbermaid sump that IMO helped keep it stable at those numbers.
Bill
 
What I'm thinking is a 50-70g tank, and for the first time I'm going to put a canopy on a tank (make it look a little neater). I will probably use a 4-6 bulb T-5 setup, and I'm just worried about the extra heat from having a canopy and hindering evaporation cooling. again, this is all preliminary planning... I still need to sell all my stuff in Cleveland, get married, move to TN... but I figured I could buy/swap for a chiller here with some of the things I am selling off and it wouldn't be a huge pain to move... unlike a tank :spin3:
 
Power Cost

Power Cost

USAF427 said:
What I'm thinking is a 50-70g tank, and for the first time I'm going to put a canopy on a tank (make it look a little neater). I will probably use a 4-6 bulb T-5 setup, and I'm just worried about the extra heat from having a canopy and hindering evaporation cooling. again, this is all preliminary planning... I still need to sell all my stuff in Cleveland, get married, move to TN... but I figured I could buy/swap for a chiller here with some of the things I am selling off and it wouldn't be a huge pain to move... unlike a tank :spin3:
Click to expand...

For my money the less power you use on a tank the better, A few 12V fans verses a Chiller is a big Power Factor you can avoid if the tank is designed correctly JMO
Bill
 
On my old 75 I just used 4 CPU fans and it kept it well with 440watts VHO lights

Please excuse my brevity. This was sent from my Android via Tapatalk
 
all good points. I think the fans are a better, and more cost effective plan for both start up and running costs, A chiller would be a 'new toy' to play with, but then again, the whole tank will be too
 
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