cooler waters???

Mr.Firemouth · Mar 24, 2007

I am having problems battling the mid 80's in temps on my 180 reef. It hit 80F outside and the A/C was set at 72F. The tank was at 86F! Too hot for me!

What chiller does anyone recommend? What size and make/model?

It is obvious I will need to install one to keep up with the MH lighting.

JGoslee · Mar 24, 2007

Some well placed fans would cool your water off. I have 2 fans that keep my tank around 80-82 in the summer. Have you tried using fans?

d.grcich · Mar 24, 2007

What about your pumps? Any way to run them externally? A friend of mine just by removing his pump out of his sump dropped his temps. Not sure of your set up but I know chillers are not cheap

Mr.Firemouth · Mar 24, 2007

My pump is a Reeflo Hammerhead mounted externally. The room is cooled by a A/C unit that currently has the temps at 70F. All other tanks in the room are at 76F. The 180g was at 86F because of the MH's. I run 5 DE 250w lamps. The bulbs are heating the water. The lamps are 18" off the top on an open system with no lids.

There is no way around it...I need a chiller. Before I drop $900 and kiss my dreams of a new SLR camera goodbye I wanted some reviews of what people are using. I am shooting for 1/4hp or 1/3hp.

JGoslee · Mar 24, 2007

Have you tried fans? I run 2-250watt de lamps on a 3' tank and 2 fans cool the entire tank. I would try it before you spend money on a chiller. JMO.

TyreeUM · Mar 24, 2007

is putting dryer vent tubing from your fixture ported to another room an option? I am thinking of doing that before summer hits on my reef (250 halides on a 75)

Mr.Firemouth · Mar 25, 2007

Right now I am going to set the A/C down to 70F and run the cieling fan on high and watch things. My other tanks dropped to 74F which they can handle being Firemouths and swordtails and a planted tank. If the 180g reef runs above 82F at all this week then I am going with a chiller because of the 8F difference. Lets see what this week brings. If it can't handle the temps at 80F outside then it will never take a 99F day.

surfn · Mar 25, 2007

how many watts does 1/4 hsp consume? just curious.

i'm looking at getting one myself.

Mr.Firemouth · Mar 25, 2007

I did some checking and hit 82F today. I am going to give it one week to see if I can fine tune things first. I was also told by several chiller users that a 1/2hp is the way to go because it will cool faster, cycle less, and run less.