To Chill or not to chill?

[TChristman]

I am in the process of setting up a 210 gallon tank that will be SPS dominated. In my last tank (150) I did not run a chiller and temperature stayed between 78-82. That was the most fluctuation and hottest points that it ever recorded. I had fans on the canopy and blowing on the sump. That tank had 3 x 250 MHS and this one will have 3 x 400 SE MHS. I just wanted to get people'e feedback on whether to chill or not. Is it worth it? What are your tank temps and fluctuations? Has a chiller helped you with quality of growth and color?

Thanks,

Tim Christman

 

[jjjimmy]

Personally I just cannot see the logic with skimping on equiptment to take care of $$$$$ of livestock. Why take a chance? I have a 1/2 HP chiller on my 180 and going to be adding a second redundant chiller behind it set 1/2 degree cooler than the first. Right now my tank stays from 77.5 - 78.5 degrees.

 

[ricks]

SPS success=chiller......

 

[TChristman]

Looks like a chiller for me. At least I can rid myself of the fans in the canopy if I go with a chiller. Thanks for your comments.

Tim

 

[Kip]

i'd still use the fans

but yeah... a chiller is the way to go... always good to know if temps start creeping up you have a failsafe

 

[RichConley]

I've never needed a chiller. If you design your tank correctly, and you keep your house at reasonable temperatures, you shouldnt either.

Remote sumps (basement) help a lot.


FWIW, lights usually aren't the issue, its usually large pumps keeping the tank warm to start with, and then the lights knocking it over the edge.

 

[ReeferMac]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7109254#post7109254 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
I've never needed a chiller. If you design your tank correctly, and you keep your house at reasonable temperatures, you shouldnt either.

:thumbsup: With 4 MH's over the tank, and crappy NE summers (hot, muggy, humid), Central Air's the only chiller I ever needed. Have one worth several thousand sitting in the basement collecting dust as a matter of fact.
I'll cut 'ricks' a break for that blanket statement because I know how Type-wash fume's affect one over the years.

- Mac

 

[ClownReef®]

The Texas heat can kiss my....lol.. With 3 MH over my tank i only need my central air and 2 radio shack computer fans..hehehe

 

[RichConley]

OP, you're in florida. Everyone in florida has central AC. In most cases its cheaper to maintain the temperature of the room than the temp of the tank.

 

[ricks]

Hey Reefermac,

The fumes have never effected me. hmmmm, buzzz, clickkkk... Myself, A chiller is a must, have a back up just in case. I agree everybody runs there tanks different. My 1 Hp chiller is under the house along with 5 pumps. On my system I run (6) 400 halides, (4) 160 VHO's and (4) 96 PC's. Along with (2) 100 (3) 70 (2) 55 Iwaki's and a hammerhead on a CL. Temp is always 78.5 - 79.0 never moves. I myself an for stability in my reef.....

But than again, I'm always broke... heheheh.