I'm planning on adding a drop in chiller but space is extremely limited. Chiller exhaust will be facing the side wall of sump; is the hot air blowing on acrylic going to be an issue long term? I wish I could place it outside or away from the sump but space is just not possible.
Chiller exhaust hot air
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mfinn
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The chiller is removing heat from the water plus adding it's own heat, and then you have it positioned to blow that heat right back at the sump.
Sounds like a no win situation.
Yeah, if you are not able to mount your chiller in a separate area you will likely be disappointed. The heat, noise, and electric bill will bum you out. I don't know your specific setup, but many times fans connected to a controller operates excellently. I get as much as a 7 degree drop from ambient temp running fans. Venting and running the fans in your sump area can be a clean choice as well.
mtraylor
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totally agree with all above. Its not a good idea to put a chiller under the stand and have exhaust backed up to the sump. It will always be stressed and on. If you want to place in the stand then have the front like stereo speaker, so it can get fresh air from the front. Then run the exhaust out of house to say a dryer vent.
skr791346
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Thank you everyone, you guys are absolutely right. I'll think of another placement to allow for better ventilation.
Regarding the coil; does it matter if parts of the coil are making direct contact with walls of the sump? Also, is it ok if just the coil is submerged but not the exposed "arm" portion before insulation?
Regarding the coil; does it matter if parts of the coil are making direct contact with walls of the sump? Also, is it ok if just the coil is submerged but not the exposed "arm" portion before insulation?
mfinn
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I would go to the chiller manufacturers website and see what the requirements are. If nothing is listed specific to your situation, look for a customer service phone number or email address.
mtraylor
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Is this a new chiller that you are setting up or is it a used one. The reason I ask is that if its a new one, then I would trade it for an inline chiller. It will give you more options for placement and you don't have to worry about coil placement. Also if I may ask. What is your setup that requires the chiller? Are you running MH's or out of town allot and don't want to run the house AC? This will help you with placement etc.
skr791346
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Can you elaborate on why an inline would give me more options for placement? I'm running LEDs but with recent warmer weather, I was seeing a fluctuation from 76 to 79 degrees. Sump space is extremely limited to add another pump and I can't split the return so I was thinking a drop in coil in the return chamber would be the easiest solution. I'm out of town frequently as well and wanted something a bit more stable with specific control than using a fan.
mtraylor
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Sure. An inline skimmer has all the cooling coils inside the unit. So the unit itself is self contained. It has an in valve and an out valve. You can place the chiller in the basement, outside the house, in the attic or where ever you want to pump the water to and from the unit. With the unit you have. It has to be within (x)amount of feet from aquarium water in order for you to put the coil in the sump or where ever you have accessibility. You are extremely limited with what you have.
Well lets go over your tank temperature. The tank temperature is fluctuating from 76 to 79. That's not bad. I did that in the past for years with minimal issues, but some corals didn't like it, so I agree toning it in is a better solution. Lets jus work with what you have for starters. Lets say you keep the ambient temp in the house at 78 or 79 during the day and 74 at night. If you set your heating temp at 78. Then you tank will only swing from 78 to 79. More stable than what you have and you don't need the chiller. I don't think you need the chiller, especially if you keep the house temp regulated.
Now if you are out of town allot, and you don't want to run the ac while you are gone, then yes you will need a chiller if you live in extremely hot environment as a house can get upward 90 to 100 degress and over. what are you plans on this, as this is cruitial decision on weather you need a chiller or not.
Currently if you keep your house temp steady with AC etc. you don't need one.
Also a couple of questions. What kind of return pumps to you run on your aquarium? How many? brand etc.
mtraylor
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Just for reference. This where I keep tank temp with just a heater and no chiller. With LED"s its really not needed. Now today we had a really warm day almost 80 so it creeped up a bit but no issues.
skr791346
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Ah - I see your point about the inline vs drop-in. Sump space is so limited after skimmer, return pump, 2 media reactors and UV pump, I ended up going with a drop-in to reduce more tubing and an extra pump. I get nervous with wide fluctuations and thought 3 degrees swing was too much. I'm currently using a single Vectra L1 & system monitored by apex. I'll try lowering the temp control for the house.
mtraylor
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OH ok. So your pump shouldn't be creating that much heat, but I have heard of some that did and had to be replaced. Where do you keep the ambient temp in the house for day and night right now? WE can work around where you are comfortable. Your aquarium shouldn't be too far off from that. If it is, then we need to start searching to see which device is producing allot of heat. The secondary pump for UV. What are you using?
Jeepguy242
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You have a controller. And led’s.
Have your controller start turning stuff off when he temp gets high.
I have 3 250watt radium mh. When my temp gets to 80 my controller turns on a fan on my sump and in my hood. At 81 it shuts off the center mh. At 82 it turns off my other 2. And at 83 it is supposed to turn off my reefbrite and skimmer. It has only turned off my end lights once on a real hot day and never have turned off the skimmer and reefbrites
I normally keep my ac set to 76 and my tanks lowest temp runs 78 all the time and fluctuate to 80.9 almost at the end of my halide cycle
Have your controller start turning stuff off when he temp gets high.
I have 3 250watt radium mh. When my temp gets to 80 my controller turns on a fan on my sump and in my hood. At 81 it shuts off the center mh. At 82 it turns off my other 2. And at 83 it is supposed to turn off my reefbrite and skimmer. It has only turned off my end lights once on a real hot day and never have turned off the skimmer and reefbrites
I normally keep my ac set to 76 and my tanks lowest temp runs 78 all the time and fluctuate to 80.9 almost at the end of my halide cycle
