RichardReef
New member
Problem here in Florida, not sure it would apply to you is lines are 15 amps max. Not sure I could even run that 18amp on a reg outlet.
Rich
Which large chiller do you recommend?
- Thread starter TriMax
- Start date
Problem here in Florida, not sure it would apply to you is lines are 15 amps max. Not sure I could even run that 18amp on a reg outlet.
Rich
I could be wrong but I think the 18amp-10amp is a start surge to fire the compressor. The running amp load is much less... So a 20 amp circuit would handle the 18 amp surge. if it was a dedicated circuit. I have the 220 volt and I think most electricians would recommend for lower power consumption.
"I could be wrong but I think the 18amp-10amp is a start surge to fire the compressor. The running amp load is much less... So a 20 amp circuit would handle the 18 amp surge."
Rick, you might be right, but I ask an electrician, at work, and was told that if the specs said 18 amps or 10 amps to count on that being the operating amperage. I was also told that the 220v chiller would be better. So now I have to decide which 1 hp 220v chiller to buy. I am leaning toward the Pacific Coast Imports. I just have not been convinced that spending the additional money on the others brands is justified.
Of course, now I have to decide how to get power to the two tanks, MH lighting, the overflow pump, and the closed loop pumps, and all the lesser loads, and, of course, the 220v chiller. This hobby/obsession can be complicated and expensive. News to all of you who have large tanks, I know.
More thoughts or considerations for me are/would be appreciated.
Thanks
Rick, you might be right, but I ask an electrician, at work, and was told that if the specs said 18 amps or 10 amps to count on that being the operating amperage. I was also told that the 220v chiller would be better. So now I have to decide which 1 hp 220v chiller to buy. I am leaning toward the Pacific Coast Imports. I just have not been convinced that spending the additional money on the others brands is justified.
Of course, now I have to decide how to get power to the two tanks, MH lighting, the overflow pump, and the closed loop pumps, and all the lesser loads, and, of course, the 220v chiller. This hobby/obsession can be complicated and expensive. News to all of you who have large tanks, I know.
More thoughts or considerations for me are/would be appreciated.
Thanks
reef / aholic
New member
Try a Aqualogic or TradeWinds.
juststartingout
New member
TriMax,
Are you sure you will need a chiller? With that system located in a cool basement, and I think you said your house is kept @ approx70 degree's, you may be pleasantly surprised.
I read that you are going to run 8 400wt lights, that may push you over the edge, as far as temps go.
Something to just consider... running 250watters
I have our 450 w/150 gallon sump running in our basement , our temps are consistanly 78-79, 4x250wts and no chiller. There are many people using 250's and having great success with their tanks.
Plug the current usage into the calculator located here @ RC and look at the electrical savings, just some food for thought.
Are you sure you will need a chiller? With that system located in a cool basement, and I think you said your house is kept @ approx70 degree's, you may be pleasantly surprised.
I read that you are going to run 8 400wt lights, that may push you over the edge, as far as temps go.
Something to just consider... running 250watters
I have our 450 w/150 gallon sump running in our basement , our temps are consistanly 78-79, 4x250wts and no chiller. There are many people using 250's and having great success with their tanks.
Plug the current usage into the calculator located here @ RC and look at the electrical savings, just some food for thought.
yaktop
New member
I would say that is an exxageration.
a chiller for a 250 gallon tank isnt $25,000 - figure $10 or on the high side $2,500. It shouldnt run $250 extra either unless you have zero planning skills and really heat up your tank badly. I'd say $100 a month. Probaby better off installing central air and downsize the chiller.
Yaktop, You misunderstood what I said. The 100.00 per gallon was for the fully stocked large tank.. As in a 500 gallon fully stocked SPS, full blown reef with the proper backup equipment. For smooth, less hassle operation. We run somewhere around 50,000. I know people say they can run for a lot less. But do they end up giving up after chasing their tails to keep up. As the 1.00 per gallon, is the average large SPS monthly costs. A 500 gallon SPS tank will run around 500.00 a month to operate.. Hope this clears up my statement....
Happy Reefing
Happy Reefing
Znut Reefer
Premium Member
Another vote here for the Pacific Coast chiller 1 hp. I have had it for almost 2 yrs. I have been very pleased with it. Also, be sure you take an air compressor and clean the dust out of the unit every 6 mos.
yaktop
New member
I respectfully disagree, with proper planning and conservation it doesnt need to be that much for monthly operation. I'd be curious to see your detail, possibly using the electrical calculator here on RC.
As far as initial set up, well, pretty much the sky is the limit but again it can be done for less but still alot of money regardless.
I had a 250 system going to 450 and I dont see my expenses driving up another 200 to do it. or at least I hope not
enjoy.
juststartingout
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10482645#post10482645 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yaktop
I respectfully disagree, with proper planning and conservation it doesnt need to be that much for monthly operation. I'd be curious to see your detail, possibly using the electrical calculator here on RC.
As far as initial set up, well, pretty much the sky is the limit but again it can be done for less but still alot of money regardless.
I had a 250 system going to 450 and I dont see my expenses driving up another 200 to do it. or at least I hope not
enjoy.
I also disagree. My 160 consumed more electricity than my 450. This time around for the 450, I researched things alot more.
I think RickS was referring to monthly maintenance including electricity, food, replacement items, addititives, chemicals, test kits, etc. I could see it adding up to that much if you spread the mothly expenses out, some months will obviously be more than others. When I took my tanks down last time, the electricty bill alone went down well over $100/mo and I only had 300 gal total volume. If one were to figure food & additives at $50/mo or more including kalk, calcium, misc filter pads, carbon, test kits, etc., then you have a reserve of ~$100-150/mo for replacement items (pumps going bad, etc), then I think $1/gal is relatively fair assessment of costs. Perhaps with a little buffer but relatively fair.
If it means anything, I was at a show yesterday with the owner of PCI and he said many of his chillers can work as heat pumps as well should it be necessary. I didn't read this thread until today so didn't ask about the titanium HXs. May want to call them up and find out, definitely worth the phone call if it's important to ya.
James
If it means anything, I was at a show yesterday with the owner of PCI and he said many of his chillers can work as heat pumps as well should it be necessary. I didn't read this thread until today so didn't ask about the titanium HXs. May want to call them up and find out, definitely worth the phone call if it's important to ya.
James
First off, these amounts for the system and the operating cost. Are for MY SPS reef only. I was trying to state the cost of large reefs. No I don't think you can cool a large reef with central air. Unless you are keeping softies. Running 1 watt per gallon and (2) small powerheads for flow...
You can use your RC calculator on my equipment. 24/7 running (1) 100 iwaki for my 1HP PCI chiller. Also (4) 70 iwaki for flow thur 1" sea swirls. Skimmer (1) 70 iwaki, one Hammerhead on CL. Calicum reactor (1) 20 iwaki and (2) small powerheads. Rowphos reactor (1) mag 7. Also just had to add (4) 6200 tunzes on multicontroller. Due to the fact that the corals are growing out of the water in size and creating dead spots.
During the day my lighting is (6) 400 watt Radiums driven on PFO HQI ballasts (4) 160 watt atenics, and (4) 96 watt PC. Around 8-9 hours, also have large dryer vent fan, to remove heat from lighting..
At night my fuge is lite with (2) 175 watt halides. And my dosing pump for Kalk. along with 2 fans to keep moisture out of the room.
Last month I just replaced my lighting at a cost of 800.00, Also had to replace the media in my dual 30" calcium reactors (7) ARM media at a cost of 175.00. And we also had 3 day we had to run the air conditioning. I just got the power bill at a cost of 505.00. That is for one month.. 1,480.00
Now This is not a normal month but some of these cost can jump up and bite you. Granted you can buy used equipment, run very little lighting, very low flow. And cool your tank with blocks of ice. I find the less I have to do the easier it's to stay in this hobby. Also help to sleep at night.....
Heya James, still need that work done???
Happy Reefing Everyone..
You can use your RC calculator on my equipment. 24/7 running (1) 100 iwaki for my 1HP PCI chiller. Also (4) 70 iwaki for flow thur 1" sea swirls. Skimmer (1) 70 iwaki, one Hammerhead on CL. Calicum reactor (1) 20 iwaki and (2) small powerheads. Rowphos reactor (1) mag 7. Also just had to add (4) 6200 tunzes on multicontroller. Due to the fact that the corals are growing out of the water in size and creating dead spots.
During the day my lighting is (6) 400 watt Radiums driven on PFO HQI ballasts (4) 160 watt atenics, and (4) 96 watt PC. Around 8-9 hours, also have large dryer vent fan, to remove heat from lighting..
At night my fuge is lite with (2) 175 watt halides. And my dosing pump for Kalk. along with 2 fans to keep moisture out of the room.
Last month I just replaced my lighting at a cost of 800.00, Also had to replace the media in my dual 30" calcium reactors (7) ARM media at a cost of 175.00. And we also had 3 day we had to run the air conditioning. I just got the power bill at a cost of 505.00. That is for one month.. 1,480.00
Now This is not a normal month but some of these cost can jump up and bite you. Granted you can buy used equipment, run very little lighting, very low flow. And cool your tank with blocks of ice. I find the less I have to do the easier it's to stay in this hobby. Also help to sleep at night.....
Heya James, still need that work done???
Happy Reefing Everyone..
WELLLLL, I did not intend to cause any hard feelings. Of course, when you ask for folk's opinions, you generally get ones that differ.
I have considered the idea that I may not need a chiller at all. Many of the reefers in our club have said that I will need one. So, I have given in to the pressure.
I am not looking forward, at least not with positive anticipation, to spending the extra $$$ on my electricity bill. Of course, no matter how much it turns out to be, it will be what-it-is.
I have already purchased the 400w bulbs, ballasts and large lumenarc III reflectors. So, although the 250w MHs idea would save money on the electricity bill, I have already spent money on the 400wers.
I have dug a trench along the front of my house from the garage (power box/panel) to the back of my house (fish room). I still have to go through the outside wall twice.
In the trench I will put:
More electricity to run the pumps, lights, and etc
Electrical line for emergency power (generator)
Two pvc pipes for flow to and from the chiller located in the garage
Pvc pipe for top-off (reservoir located in garage)
Pvc pipe for water change (reservoir located in garage), although I am not sure if I should use the same pipe for draining and filling.
I there anything else I should put in the trench -- Something that I can put in garage and not in the fish room.? Once I fill-in the trench, I do not want to think of something else.
Thanks for all the comments and help.
Eddie
I have considered the idea that I may not need a chiller at all. Many of the reefers in our club have said that I will need one. So, I have given in to the pressure.
I am not looking forward, at least not with positive anticipation, to spending the extra $$$ on my electricity bill. Of course, no matter how much it turns out to be, it will be what-it-is.
I have already purchased the 400w bulbs, ballasts and large lumenarc III reflectors. So, although the 250w MHs idea would save money on the electricity bill, I have already spent money on the 400wers.
I have dug a trench along the front of my house from the garage (power box/panel) to the back of my house (fish room). I still have to go through the outside wall twice.
In the trench I will put:
More electricity to run the pumps, lights, and etc
Electrical line for emergency power (generator)
Two pvc pipes for flow to and from the chiller located in the garage
Pvc pipe for top-off (reservoir located in garage)
Pvc pipe for water change (reservoir located in garage), although I am not sure if I should use the same pipe for draining and filling.
I there anything else I should put in the trench -- Something that I can put in garage and not in the fish room.? Once I fill-in the trench, I do not want to think of something else.
Thanks for all the comments and help.
Eddie
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