Thoughts on 1/10hp Chillers?

[TheGriffin]

One of the things I've been needing for my 46gal office tank is a chiller. This is my SPS tank with 2 175w Mh's. Heat is always an issue with this tank as it can get up to 82-84 degrees during the day. Also, with our hurricane luck I've wanted something that could keep the tank cool using a generator if the AC goes out (we lost power for 4 days during Opal and 3 days during Ivan).

Who is running chillers, what size and brand, and are you happy with them and the noise? Noise is a BIG issue and will be the main deciding factor when it comes to brand purchse

So far I’m leaning toward the either the Pacific Coast or Current Prime as they are about $335. The PC has a noise rating of 38db while the Primes just says very quite.

More fans are not an option because I'm at my evaporation limit (ie tank can barely make 2 days without a top off before blowing bubbles)

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Big Goose]

Fan

Fan

I use a fan on my refugem. Right now it is on a timer but plan to add a temp switch.
Works great.

 

[8BALL_99]

Griffin a chiller is going to be pretty loud. I've never seen one that wasn't.. Now whats loud to me might not be loud to you. But I'd try to find one at a local store or even a reefers house and see if you can stand it.. They are about as loud as a window AC.

You might want to look into a autotopoff setup and just another fan. The ATO would be alot cheaper quieter and not use anywhere near the electricty. Another problem with chillers is they pump alot of heat out into the room. So if this is in a small office that could cause a problem as well.

I run Aqua Contollers on my Tanks you can set them up to turn fans on and off to control the tank temp. You can also set them to cut your lights off if the temp keeps going up. IE Tank temp 79 fan1 on, Tank temp 80 Fan2 on,, Tank temp 83 light one off , ect ect. Might be something worth looking into for you.

Will

 

[DrHank]

Grif the earplugs I get from Winn Dixie filter out 50 DB so if you start using them you won't know the chiiler is even running!

 

[8BALL_99]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8888154#post8888154 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DrHank
Grif the earplugs I get from Winn Dixie filter out 50 DB so if you start using them you won't know the chiiler is even running!

 

[CMcNeil]

i have a pacific coast 1/10 hp chiller and its quiet.i get more noise from the overflow and pumps.the tank is in my bedroom,so i sleep next to it every night.BTW this chiller is no where near as loud as a wall unit ac.

 

[8BALL_99]

lol like I said whats loud to me might not be loud to others.. I couldn't sleep with a Sedra3500 and a little giant return pump in my bedroom

I still say if Noise is a Big issue like you said above. I would try to see one in person before you fork over the cash. 38 DB isn't bad, average room is around 28-30.

Will

 

[TheGriffin]

After looking a spec sheets and also emailing the manufactures, here is the results

Pacific Coast 1/10 hp = 38db

JBJ Arctica 1/10 hp = 40db

Current Prime 1/10 hp = 35db

Looks like I'll go with the Prime

 

[Rollin]

I have the JBJ Arctica on my 90 and it does an excellent job. Our tank sits in the kitchen area and it basically sounds like a refrigerator coming on. If that's 40dB then 35dB ought to be really barely noticeable.

 

[TheGriffin]

Thanks Rollin! I finally decided and ordered the Prime this morning. It should be here Monday or Tues