What size chiller?

[Fuegofish777]

Trying to figure out an appropriately sized/priced chiller for a tank in planning. it will be a cooler water tank. Will be 1/2" acrylic and want to keep the temp somewhere between upper 60's to <73 degrees. the total system will have a volume of ~50g give or take a few. The ambient shouldnt get above 85 (worst case) average temp will be under 80 degrees. Im even though the tanks are small I'm going with 1/2" to help with insulation. I would like to go 3/8" it would save me a good amount of money, what size chiller do you think I should get? links or names of brands/models would be great.
Thanks,
Sam

 

[DarG]

Much colder than that and you were getting close to being best off with a colder water chiller like the Aqua Logic delta Star research chillers. They arent necessarily higher HP but they are definitely more expensive made for colder water conditions.

Most chillers are designed for 60 - 80 degrees. So you will be right near the middle of that range.

Use the Chiller calculator here :

http://www.jbjlighting.com/prod_chiller_size.asp

That will get you the right size. Brands? you'll get 5 different recommendations from 10 different people. Universal Marine, Aqualogic, Tradewinds are among the best (UM is absurdly expensive).

 

[Fuegofish777]

Thanks that calculator helps alot. I know I'd get several recommendations, i just wanted to see which ones were popular. I've never had to you a chiller before. Looks like I can get away with a 1/10 hp, which is good.