What chiller do you use in your LARGE reef tank

[Jar*Head]

I have a few in mind but not sure which one to go with. I need your recommendation on which one is better base on your experience. I am looking at something that will run 110v, quiet and energy efficient. Here is the list of chiller

1. Aqualogic 1HP (well build, great reputation but a bit loud)
2. Trade wind 1HP (pretty much the same with Aqualogic)
3. Pacific Coast import CW-1000 1HP heating and cooling (I like this one but don't know much about it)
4. JBJ Commercial chiller 1HP very nice chiller, quiet operation, energy efficient (Have anyone use this?)

I really like the PCI because of it ability to do heating and Cooling but i don't know how efficient and how accurate is their temp sensor. Any feed back on the PCI and JBJ is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Steve

 

[Jar*Head]

Forgot to add some information about my tank

480g 96x48x24 with 150g sump, 6 x 400w MH, 8 x 54w T-5 the tank will be in Colorado. The house has AC. Do i still need Chiller if i use enough fan control by ACIII pro ?

 

[Los]

I'm in the process of researching chillers too for my 96x36x25 (360 gallon) with 100 gallon sump.
I'd add the following to the list of possibilities:
- Teclima CA2000 (1hp equivalent) also known as a Teco
BTW, as Mako has pointed out - there are really good deals on Tradewinds to be had at CustomAquatic.com

Cheers,

Los

 

[Jar*Head]

Thanks Los, i will check out Customaquatic...

 

[danskim]

JBJ! Luckily their chillers are better than other stuff they make. It is a rebranded Daeil from Korea, and it's reliable.

 

[ricks]

If your going 1HP, I would go 220v instead of 110v.

 

[Jar*Head]

Ricks, i agree. I'll make sure my electrician will get me at least 1 220v. wish i could do 220v on lighting as well

 

[cbui2]

220v will be the best route on electricity. PFO makes 220v ballast so your wish can come true.

you only have 2 choices aqualogic and tradewind made in usa, but i prefer tradewind since they use central a/c unit as if something goes wrong you can call your AC man to come fix it as the aqua unit will need to be sent back to manufacture for repairs. JMO when i purchased my chiller, i wanted to choose a company that designs chiller only, and not everything they can copy and sell just to make profit .

Tradewind 18,000BTU 1.5HP special request to match my current home unit

 

[Los]

Bart-

How much did that cost??? Also, and please forgive my ignorance, why is it important to go with 220v instead of 110?

Tks in advance,

Los

 

[Jar*Head]

It uses half of the amps

 

[Los]

And that matters... why?

This might be one of those times where you have to explain things as if I was a 5 year old...

Los

 

[ricks]

The way I remember, and take into account my memory is not what it used to be...

Draws half the amps, basically will run the same for power consumption. Where 220 will draw 8 amps under load and 16 amp startup draw.

The 110 will draw 16 amps under load and peak at 32 amp startup draw.

You will need a larger breaker in your service..

I could be mistaken... Actual results may vary...

 

[Los]

Ricks-

OK, I could see how you would need an appropriate breaker - but that's true either way. Is there anything else? As far as energy consumption, it's watts = volts x amps. So, 220v @ 8 amps uses the same amount of juice as 110v @ 16 amps. In my simple mind, I don't see the difference. That said, I have heard people say that sometimes 220v is better, so there has to be something I'm not getting.
Los

 

[Znut Reefer]

I have a PCI 1HP 220 volts on a 550. Been very happy with this unit. Very accurate, and dependable.

 

[Mako]

Thats a sweet looking chiller cbiu2!

Power is what you pay for though so 115 vs 220 consumption difference is minimal. Although, when you get up to 1hp and larger I believe there are some compresser efficiencies you might make note of. One good thing going for 220 and the lower amp consumption is the wiring cost. Copper is getting pretty expensive these days.

If you look at Custom Aquatic for a chiller you have till the end of the month to use the 15% discount. TIGERSHARK is the code. They carry full line of Tradewind, all with 5 year warranty.

I just got a new 3/4 from them today. Construction is excellent and the noise is no worse, or better, than any other chiller I have seen this size.

Los - I saw that F&S carries the 1hp Prime. Believe it was like 1200 and with their flat rate shipping of $18 not a bad deal. Alas, I can't say much about them as I have never seen one.

 

[tbittner]

I have a small 1/3 hp Teco chiller and it has a heater and UV built into it too. My current system has 570g in it. But since I moved the sump to my basement, the chiller rarely runs. My water temp, on a bad day, will swing about .5 degrees.

Another thing that I read about was digging some ditches, laying pipe in them, and pumping the water through them. Let the earth cool the water. It's really inexpensive.

 

[Jar*Head]

I also look into the Profilux and Ocean Geotronic heating and cooling unit. I don't think my tank going to be that hot consider the location and home AC. But i rather get one for safety purpose...

 

[cbui2]

your tank might not be hot, but the MH's will make it hot along with 2 skimmers . all pumps will add some type of heat. its how fast you can cool and heat your system keeping your water parameters stable. i believed the chiller was $2399 Hal @Tradewind Chiller plus freight

http://tradewindchillers.com/index.html

 

[Jar*Head]

If i can drill two holes on my wall without getting beat down by the wife i would get the tradewind just like the one Bart has... But i promised no hole on the wall or ceiling so i have to keep my word or else myself and the tank will be in the Garage

 

[cbui2]

no holes on wall or ceiling, you will need a nano then