Not ready for a chiller

Browner20 · May 31, 2016

I should also mention the redundancy factor, if your chiller hits the crapper hopefully you have an LFS handy that sells chillers. I have only run into a couple in my life that keep them in stock!

Walmart- almost every city has one and most larger metros have numerous Wallys open 24/7.

dsh92056 · May 31, 2016

Get a chiller. Set it and forget it. You will be glad you did. I put it right up there with an ATO.

AZDesertRat · May 31, 2016

Chillers are energy hogs and overrated. Not only did my 1/4HP chiller heat the heck out of my home it was also noisy and bulky. Fans did a much better, more energy efficient job of cooling and made no noise. The only downside is increased evaporation but an ATO system was cheaper than I sold the chiller for, draws almost no power and my water and sewer bill may have gone up $2 a month.

Scott1242 · May 31, 2016

My 90 gallon was running at 79-81.8 I put a fan on medium blowing across the top and it stays at 75-76.5 I'm in Arizona it was 100 or so today outside and I keep the house around 77-80 depending on time of day.

Scott1242 · May 31, 2016

Mahu7447 · Jun 1, 2016

I have been using chillers since 2007 since I live in a hot contry

Lionfish Lair · Jun 1, 2016

I have to be honest, I adore my chillers. If I was allowed only one piece of equipment (besides light) it would be the chiller (with incorporated heater).

Reefer's Paradise · Jun 1, 2016

Loved my chiller during the hot months when I had a tank in the garage. Now that the hot season is coming back it brings me to the dilemma of getting a chiller for my 22g or just keeping the house at 78-80 all day. Granted it's way cheaper to chill a 22g tank then the house but 78 is a comfortable temp to live in also lol
Also my tank doesn't have any overflow or sump so using a chiller brings up another dilemma that sways me towards AC. That or a fan over the tank as others have stated

Sarasotareefer · Jun 1, 2016

120reefkeeper said:
I use two of these. They work great and they are cheap. 15 bucks each at Target or Walmart .

I have one of these mounted above my sump pointing down. Works great!

scottbapilot · Jun 1, 2016

AZDesertRat said:
A well placed fan works wonders, easily lowering the tank 3-5 degrees. I keep a couple WalMart clip on fans around for this purpose.

I do the exact same thing

JMC1018 · Jun 1, 2016

I just had this same issue. Tank was at 83. Went to target and got a fan for $8.99. I put it blowing on my sump and brought the temp down in hours.

samba_dad · Jun 1, 2016

Sarasotareefer said:
I have one of these mounted above my sump pointing down. Works great!

Ditto for me. Two of these fans pointing straight towards my sumo that my Apex turns out once I hit 80 deg water temp. It works great for me in the hottest days of summer.

gcrawford · Jun 1, 2016

I have two chillers - one for each system in case of summer extended power failures. They get as much use as my generator - basically none. But if needed, they will save my systems in a hot house with no air conditioning in the southeast. Maybe I should just upgrade the generator to one that will run the whole house including air conditioning.

Robink · Jun 1, 2016

I can't sleep if it's hot... So, no need for a chiller. I keep the house cool at night, about 71-72 which keeps the tank right around 74-75, even when it warms up in the day. A/c at 75 during the day. Had a chiller, used more electricity than just keeping the house cooler.

saltyfilmfolks · Jun 3, 2016

A quick fwiw. On the DIY rig. Last night I used a power adapter with a higher amperage rating. Not voltage amperage. And the little fans I linked to now runs like jet engines now.
Ok not a jet but def a hairdryer.

Chrisfish · Jun 3, 2016

Ok, I have to tell the truth, I didn't get the controller, not sure I'm ready for that. Is there a you tube DIY for that, lol

I just turn it on /off manually.

saltyfilmfolks · Jun 3, 2016

Chrisfish said:
Ok, I have to tell the truth, I didn't get the controller, not sure I'm ready for that. Is there a you tube DIY for that, lol I just turn it on /off manually.

Lol
I'm redoing one on my 30 I'll take a pic