Chillers? Yes or no?

Ljmiller · Sep 27, 2015

I have a 75 gallon reef sps with a trigger emerald sump/fuge so my total water vol. is about 100 gallons. My tank sits in direct view of some very large west facing Windows that do cast sunlight on and create a temp issue for me in the mid day. Should I purchase a chiller for this problem? I keep my home internal temp at 76 degrees but my tank sometimes climbs close to 80 during the day, cause I live in CA.
What brand of chiller would be reccommended for this application and are there typically any extra equipment required?

WindeyD · Sep 27, 2015

Temps of 80 degrees are not too high, my concern would be developing algae problems due to the direct sunlight.

cloak · Sep 27, 2015

+1

I live in California as well and my tank will reach as high as 85 on some of the hottest days in summer. No problem.

diablomaster9045 · Sep 27, 2015

I would recommend get a 6 inch clamp fan and blow it across the top of your tank. it works wonders for lowering tank temp.

But if you want to get a chiller, I recommend a TECO chiller. quiet and the most efficient chiller brand on the market

thehammer1985 · Sep 27, 2015

Heck 80 is what I run my tank at normally . You'll be fine the largest thing I would be worried about would be the sunlight causing algea issues

DeniseAndy · Sep 27, 2015

I think I am an oddball here as I like my tank around 76. I do run a chiller, but only if it gets above 79. When I need my next one, I will have to look at a TECO. I think I have an artic on mine now. It runs most the time in the summer (although less since I moved my sump to the basement) and not often in the winter.

I would try running a fan between lights and surface of water first. Cheaper and does help a lot. This is what I do on my smaller tanks and keeps them very nicely under 80.

sgresham · Sep 27, 2015

I may be an oddball too. I love chillers as well. I keep my aquariums right at 78 degrees. I have a Teco on my 600 gallon and a JBJ on my 126 gallon. I wouldn't want to run an aquarium without one.

James7733 · Sep 27, 2015

I bought on eBay a mini chiller with a built in heater bran new on eBay for $90.00 with free shipping. I placed this unit on the inlet side of my HOB refugium/sump. I did this because the unit is rated for a 13 gallon tank. I also bought a 6 inline cooling fan bar on eBay for $34.00. Also free shipping. I placed that on the display tank. Some would say all this is not needed and perhaps they are right "" however I believe circumstance dictate the necessity.

Dustin1300 · Sep 27, 2015

78 is my target number, with all the pumps I have running a fan across 125 gallon sump takes care of temp rises for me as well.

scardall · Sep 27, 2015

I like Trade Winds. Well made and reliable. The chiller has been reliable for years. 4+ years so far.

gcrawford · Sep 27, 2015

JBJ chillers have been reliable for me in the past. After switching to LEDs they never come on. I've seen more growth and overall tank success at 77F. You could add a fan controlled by a controller. An Apex controller would be great for this.