Does anyone still use a chiller?

[ReefCheef]

So I haven't used a chiller for the last decade or more. Back when I used one, I was brand new to the saltwater side of the hobby, so my experience with it was very limited. I've had relatively small tanks (<180 gallons), but this new build is going to be significantly larger. I'm going to be running red dragon pumps, MP60s and ATI stratons, so I don't forsee a ton of heat being transferred. I also blast the AC in my house.

That said, several members of my local reefing community have been strongly suggesting running a chiller. Most of me feels like I don't need one, but part of me feels like, "with all the money I'm blowing on this tank what's another $1,000 my fiance's already ticked anyway."

Just reaching out to see what the community at large's thoughts are on this. Is a chiller necessary in 2021? Lets make the question more specific. Is a chiller beneficial, or might it act as a fail-safe in 2021? Does it keep temperature rock steady?

Thoughts?

 

[Guttersnipe]

It depends. I’m in SoCal and it gets pretty hot where I live. Even with my ac running my tank was getting pretty hot. Like almost 84 degrees with the ac on. I had to get a chiller.

 

[Guttersnipe]

I’m using a teco chiller with built in heater. So far it’s been very stable.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Yup. Still have a few of my old oceanic chillers hooked up. All recently serviced and ready to go if needed. Live in southern TN and it can get toasty at time with MH for lights. Only ran once last summer, but better to have them not to have.

 

[X-37B]

I run MH's and dont run a chiller in my 120.
I do have 2 but dont forsee running them unless power goes out in the summer.
I can run one on my generator.
Its 90+ for 5 months out of the summer.

 

[Spieg]

I live in a cooler climate where it rarely ever gets to triple digits. I get by with fans and central AC. Had a chiller back in the day, but not really needed with LED lights and good pumps.

 

[PanchoG]

Only if you truly need it to control your tank temp. I do run a chiller but my tank is in Mexico so it runs 7 months a year. But it takes a lot of energy, is expensive and would require maintenance.

 

[Reef Box]

I have chillers on my Main Tank and my Quarantine System. I'm also in CA and it gets up to 110 for a short time in the summer. Even with my house at a comfortable level the tank can still creep up because I have the sump etc in my garage and it can get pretty hot out there. It's also a lot cheaper to run a chiller than cool my whole house, I'm a lot more tolerant than my corals

 

[mehaffydr]

I run a chiller not sure if I would say I have to but I prefer to keep things as steady as possible. I am in N. Alabama and it get fairly warm in the summer. I am currently using a Penguin Chiller great unit and a good price. I've had it 3 seasons now and it works great. I am upgrading from a 225 gallon to an 1100 gallon so I will most likely be buying a new chiller and I am planning on going with Penguin. The are manufactured in Tennessee.

 

[ca1ore]

So I guess lots of folks still use a chiller .... including me LOL. I don’t blast the A/C so tradewinds unit keeps my tank at 80 degrees rather than 84.

 

[ReefCheef]

Thanks everybody! Sounds like you're all in agreement that it's not necessary anymore but doesn't hurt. Guess I'm going to work one into my system because I know it's much easier to do at the start than to try and gerryrig down the line. I'd rather have a spot for it and not use it, than need a spot for it and not have one.

Cheers everybody!