WTB: Chiller

[Gondore]

If anyone local has a nice chiller for sale please let me know.

 

[frank1of7]

I think freed has one or at least he did. Try him!

 

[Fireworm]

Why do you need a chiller for your system?

 

[Gondore]

I am not sure if I am going to go with one or not. I get some temp. variation in my tank due to the heat from my MHs. Even with three fans the temp swing is still usually 3-4 degrees. As long as it's not more than 3 degrees things should be fine but 4 degree or more is pushing it. Plus, the three fans cause a lot of evaporation.

 

[Fireworm]

Don't run your tank so cool then. Bump you heater up to only give you a 2 degree variation then. I ran my 29g with the 250 MH over it at 82 with no problem at all. I had no sump or anything fancy like that.

The chiller is going to be a huge cost burden. They are so expensive to buy and then expensive to run.

The 4 degree variation shouldn't mess with things that bad. If you got up to 6 then maybe. But I wouldn't worry about 4.

 

[Gondore]

Yeah, we will see. The chiller actually wouldn't need to run all that often so I am thinking the cost would be minimal.

 

[mojo~]

I dont think turning your heater up is the answer.your heater set point is the starting point and your temp will rise 3 to 4 degrees from there. If you set it at 78 your max would be 82. That wouldnt be that bad. Or if you really have your mind set on a chiller set your temp at 78 and have the chiller come on at 80.

 

[Gondore]

Yeah, I was thinking I would have the chiller come on around 79 and if the temp continues to rise I would have the fans kick in at 81. I want to the range to stay between 78-81

 

[xXch0dyXx]

i keep turning my heater down, and my temp stays 79.5-80.5

i wanted it around 78 but it isnt wanting to cooperate

 

[Fireworm]

Check your therm. The digital ones are not good forever. Check it with an old fashioned merc one. Ask mojo about this. I suggested the same thing to him as well, and he found out that his temp was almost at 90.

 

[Gondore]

I actually purchased a good old glass therm around the same time Jesse had the heat issues in his tank. My junk digital was off. That was when I purchased my Ranco which was dead on. The temp probe on the ACIII was 0.5 different than the Ranco so I am pretty sure it's reading accurate.

 

[tazman71]

I like having the chiller to cover any issues. If I had the controller you have, I would have the fans come on at 79-80 and the chiller on at 81. No reason to use that much electricity if it is not needed.

Also remember that a chiller is like a small air conditioner. It is going to put a fair amount if heat in the air from the back of it. So it will cause the room temp to rise as well.

 

[Gondore]

What size of chiller would you recommend Chad?

 

[tazman71]

No more than you seem to need to cool, you could probably get away with a 1/10th horse, but if you were willing to spend the extra a 1/5th would be ok as well.
The larger will cool the tank down quicker, but is going to use more electricity as wel.
I have a 1/3rd on my tank now, but would like to downsize to the 1/5th.

 

[Gondore]

From what I have read it can save you a bit more money going with one a little bit bigger than what you need because it doesn't have to run as long. Have you found this to be the case?

 

[tazman71]

I am not sure that would be true. The larger ones will run longer, but the larger pull more amps.
I have replumbed my tank and have taken out the Sequence return pump for a pair of Quiet one pumps. Looking to see how much difference it will be. Now instead of needing the chiller, I will need to put in a heater. My tank temps have falled almost 4 degrees with the pump change.