Chillers, why so expensive?

[uhgster1]

I’m looking into upgrading to a 120 gallon, but the better half says only if I put it in the garage. I know it can get into the 90’s on an average summer day in the garage here in TN so I know I have to keep the temperature in check. But I was not expecting to see the prices for chillers that I did. I think it would be cheaper to buy a window unit or some other portable type hvac system and just cool the whole garage. Has anyone done this?

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Check offer up. There’s usually good deals there. just type in Chiller in search, that way you cover the Aquaponics crowd. If you were going to do an AC unit. You might spend more in electricity because you would have to keep the air temp constantly BELOW your tank temp. And also your garage may not be totally insulated?

 

[exnisstech]

You may want to put a thermometer in your garage and check temps. Your in TN and I'm in Ohio and my garage gets well over 100 degrees in the summer. Unless your able to leave the garage open with some circulation?

 

[HuduVudu]

I’m looking into upgrading to a 120 gallon, but the better half says only if I put it in the garage. I know it can get into the 90’s on an average summer day in the garage here in TN so I know I have to keep the temperature in check. But I was not expecting to see the prices for chillers that I did. I think it would be cheaper to buy a window unit or some other portable type hvac system and just cool the whole garage. Has anyone done this?

Titanium to deal with the salt water that is passing through them.

 

[theMeat]

Would hesitate buying a used chiller. Even when well maintained it could have short life left in it.
Have friend in Kentucky who uses a stream close to house for a closed loop into tank

 

[Chrisv.]

Honestly, I would not put a tank in the garage in TN. I lived in NC for many years, and garages in the south just get too hot. Unless you did some MAJOR renovations, the first time you have a power outage the tank would be toast.

By major renovations, I mean: proper insulation, proper ventilation, and a mini split AC unit. And a backup generator, probably on a transfer switch. After all of that you might still need a chiller.

Of course up to you. I think I'd settle for a 110 gallon in the main living space (where presumably you're at least running ac) over a 120 in the garage.

 

[Chrisv.]

Also, keep in mind that running a chiller in an already hot garage will 1) drastically overheat the garage, and 2) decrease the life of the chiller. I'm not even sure how large of a chiller you would need to cool a tank in a space that got hot on it's own, and was then additionally heated by a chiller. Think of a chiller as a window ac unit that sits inside your house that cools water instead of the air, and puts hot air out (just like the outside part of a window ac).

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

It's doable, of course, not without its complications, expensive complications....
But the man wants a 120...
Wait I have a great Idea.
"Honey, I can put the 120 in the garage. It will only cost $20,000 dollars in renovations. or I can put it in the Dining room for $20,000 less. And with the money we saved we can go on vacation to Los Angeles (during ReefAPalooza)"

 

[NowGlazeIT]

It's doable, of course, not without its complications, expensive complications....
But the man wants a 120...
Wait I have a great Idea.
"Honey, I can put the 120 in the garage. It will only cost $20,000 dollars in renovations. or I can put it in the Dining room for $20,000 less. And with the money we saved we can go on vacation to Los Angeles (during ReefAPalooza)"

100%

 

[Chrisv.]

It's doable, of course, not without its complications, expensive complications....
But the man wants a 120...
Wait I have a great Idea.
"Honey, I can put the 120 in the garage. It will only cost $20,000 dollars in renovations. or I can put it in the Dining room for $20,000 less. And with the money we saved we can go on vacation to Los Angeles (during ReefAPalooza)"

Now that is some next level marital advice. Love it.

 

[Breadman03]

If you’re installing a chiller, I’d strongly consider installing it outdoors but protected from the weather. If you’re going to spend all that money plus the electric, you’ll save on electric by getting that heat outside. I struggled with thermal runaway in my basement due to my dehumidifier. The dehumidifier wants the air, increases evaporation , increasing demand for the dehumidifier, and so on. A chiller installed inside will pull the heat from the tank, but then you’ll quite possibly need to run an AC in the garage to move the heat outside. Why not do that in one step?