Summer Heat Poll...

[nwrogers]

We itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s that time of year to start keeping an eye on temperatures rising in our tanks. I was wondering how many of you are using or going to be using chillers to cool your tanks this summer. Please also post your experiences with the summer heat.

Do you use a chiller? What brand and size? What was your temp before adding it? What finally broke you down to spend the big bucks on it? Are you glad you did?

Or

If you opted for another method please post what that method is. How well has it worked for you? Would you recommend it to others? Would you rather have a chiller but can't justify the amount?

How is everyone planning to keep their temperatures in check? I just have to know...

Nate

 

[gary greguire]

I think before I buy a chiller for my tank I would buy central air that the whole family could enjoy.....

 

[crp]

I don't have a chiller but I have central air. I ran the central air more last summer than normal because of the tank.

Carrie

 

[nwrogers]

Up until now I have cooled my tank with fans and room AC. I have been able to keep the temp under 86 even on the hot days. I am really worried since adding the 2 400w MHs I will not have as much success keeping the tank at acceptable levels, not that I think 86 is acceptable. I have been collecting a lot of nice SPS corals lately and my goal has been to keep all levels including temp as stable as possible. I have got away with large temperature swings, from 79 to 85 degrees in the past, but I am not willing to risk that with the new setup. How many SPS guys out there are not running a chiller? I considered buying a temperature controller but it looks like for $100 bucks more I can get a chiller with built in temp controller. The built in temp controller can also control a heaterââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦

 

[nwrogers]

My only worry about using central air is when I am on vacation or out for the whole day I have to run ac just for the fish tank. That seems like a lot of energy to be using just to keep the tank cool. Chillers are down to about the same cost as a nice window AC unit, about $450.00. I wonder what the break even point would be. Any guesses?

 

[Marcs4020]

i cool my tank with central air throughout the house on average days and then kick on the window ac during the day in that room along with the central air on the scorchers. Keeps the tank between 80 and 82, just the way i like it, and probably still cheaper then a chiller.

 

[nwrogers]

Running a central air conditioner that is three ton (and of average efficiency) for 8 hours per day for 15 days per month, with the average rate per kWh being 0.17, the average cost per month for the air conditioner alone will be $97.92. What if you could cut that usage in half because you were at work all day? Then you would be saving $50.00 a month all summer long. The break even point for the chiller would be less than two years. Just a thoughtââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦

 

[nwrogers]

Anybody out there with a chiller?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7274593#post7274593 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nwrogers
Anybody out there with a chiller?

I sold mine.

 

[Sk8r]

This is my first summer with a Berliner method tank and no central air. The tank is in the room with the airconditioner, and I hope that will suffice. I also have a pillar fan in the stand, so I can use that at need. And failing that I'll make a screaming rush toward the nearest chiller source.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Sk8r- got any $10 box fans?

 

[nwrogers]

Oh by the way I have radiator heat. I can't have central air

Gary:

I know you have your sump in the basement and that helps with keeping the water in your tank cool during the summer. I donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t really have the option of putting my sump in the basement at this time and I really donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t want to have a million fans blowing in my dining room. Did you find that you really didnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t need the chiller because of your sump placement? What would you do if you were in a similar situation as me? Are chillers a waste of money in your opinion? Are there any other downfalls I donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t know about with them?

 

[nwrogers]

Am I better off getting a temp controller and some box fans? I wonderââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

A chiller needs to be located well away from the aquarium it's cooling in order to be effective.
You won't need a million fans to keep your aquarium cool-
one or two box fans usually does the trick. Remove the lid on your sump or program a shorter photoperiod (if necessary).

Can you imagine if Tropicorium (in Detroit) tried to keep their corals vats cool by using chillers? Their electric bill would be mind boggling!
They designed their systems to be cooled by evaporation.
Of course, AC works wonders- even a window AC unit.
AC not only cools the air, but dries it out. This increases evaporation.
AC and fans are better options than a chiller IME.

 

[vitaldefect001]

where's the air conditioner vote button?

 

[gary greguire]

the other problem with a chiller that Gary mentioned is that any heat they pull from the tank they pump back into the room so if you have to put the chiller in the same room it is very inefficient. It is kind of the same reason that stores run huge ac units its not to keep the customers cool it is to stop there freezers & refrigerators from running non stop..

 

[chrisguy]

This will be my first summer with MH lighting. Time will tell. Last summer I had PC lighting and would use a fan to keep the tank cool.

 

[Namyar]

Central air in a split leavel and the tnk is down stairs even with the air off its always cool down there

 

[Guy]

Where's the "I need more heaters" option? I have a lot of trouble keeping my lagoon above 80F.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7276660#post7276660 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Guy
Where's the "I need more heaters" option? I have a lot of trouble keeping my lagoon above 80F.

... but your lagoon is below ground level!
How many heater/watts are you burning over there?