Seahorse Chiller question

[cassilyn]

I am currently planning my new seahorse tank (I'm very excited) and I have a question about the chiller. I have read the thread about equipment and environment and I still have a question. I know I'll need a chiller (my husband's tank has one and the temperature still is too high for ponies), so I would like advice. I am getting a 35 gallon hex that is 24" tall. My house stays on the warm side - we live in the desert and do not have air conditioning, but swamp coolers, so the temperature in the house doesn't get very cold. I'm not sure what size chiller to get. I've also read of others who float frozen bags of tank water to help cool the tank. Has anyone tried this with success? Thanks for the help. I'm just getting my ducks in a row so I have the equipment I need ready before I bring the little guys home.

 

[matchmakersmagic]

Floating ice is usually reserved for emergencies because while yes, it does work, it's hard to keep a stable temp for long (or enough bottles of ice for that matter lol). The temp would always be fluctuating which isnt the best for stability. Also the what if's, what if you missed a day, got sick, had to be away, etc and the temp climbed out of control?

Fans blowing across the water can be effective too, more evaporation, but you probably could get a couple degrees pull down. For me, the added evaporation isnt worth it, more work and again less stability in salinity.

For sizing a chiller it's best to go by the manufacturer's recommended size for your tank + degree pull down needed then go the next size up.

Cant wait to hear about your setup as it progresses!

 

[matchmakersmagic]

Oh, and I forgot, WELCOME to R2R!

 

[MUSBFRANK]

Definitely go by the manufacturers recommendation regarding the correct size, I personally always go one size up in most situations where there's no a/c and room temperature is an issue right off the bat (without heat from the filtration), you just have to make sure you're using the correct size pump for water flow through the unit. I'm sure you're aware that horses do NOT mind a strong flow in the tank as long as there is little to no flow areas as well, that being said, going with an odd shaped tank like a hex makes it a little tricky, but going with a chiller that'll easily handle your temperature requirements solves the issue of the unit running most of the day, which you're aware of these units produce heat, which in turn causes more heat in the room, thus continuing the cycle of warming up the tank and keeping the chiller running, it's insane. If you can exhaust the heat from the chiller out of the room it's in, then that'll help tremendously, otherwise if you can go up to the next size chiller without an issue of flow or it just being too big, then that would be my recommendation. Also remember that some manufacturers general recommended sizes may not take into account that you're shooting for a much lower temp than your average aquarium, so it's best to go to their website which should have a complete chart of each sizes performance and specs to ensure you get the right one.

 

[vlangel]

Yes, I agree with the recommendation of going 1 size bigger than necessary. A chiller, like a heater is a piece of equipment that is electricity greedy. You do not want a situation where it is running almost none stop. Its also expensive but not in proportion to size. A smaller chiller is high priced and the next size up that may even double your chilling ability will only be a little higher in cost.

If perhaps you live within driving distance of Pittsburgh, PA I have an excellant chiller that you can have cheap. They are so heavy that for me to ship it anywhere is not cost effective.

 

[cassilyn]

Yes, I agree with the recommendation of going 1 size bigger than necessary. A chiller, like a heater is a piece of equipment that is electricity greedy. You do not want a situation where it is running almost none stop. Its also expensive but not in proportion to size. A smaller chiller is high priced and the next size up that may even double your chilling ability will only be a little higher in cost.

If perhaps you live within driving distance of Pittsburgh, PA I have an excellant chiller that you can have cheap. They are so heavy that for me to ship it anywhere is not cost effective.

Unfortunately, I live in New Mexico, so Pittsburgh is out of the question but thanks for the offer! I think I have found a good chiller for my new tank. Now I just have to afford it. This build is going to take me a while, since I don't have a couple of thousand dollars all at once. I'll be posting as I build, but it will take a bit. Until then I will just keep reading and learning everything I can here and hopefully talking to you all.

Thanks for all of the info everyone!
Cassi

 

[cassilyn]

Hey everyone,
I have a quick question about a particular chiller. Has anyone heard of Active Aqua chillers? Any reviews? I just found them and they have great reviews, but not all from aquarists.

Thanks!
Cassi

 

[vlangel]

Hey everyone,
I have a quick question about a particular chiller. Has anyone heard of Active Aqua chillers? Any reviews? I just found them and they have great reviews, but not all from aquarists.

Thanks!
Cassi

I have not heard of that particular chiller but if you are in the Pittsburgh, PA area I would be willing to sell a lightly used chiller with a built in temperature controller that works great...and I would sell it cheap.

Oh, I see you live in the desert and no where near Pgh, PA so my chiller will not help you. O well best of luck in finding one.

 

[cassilyn]

I have not heard of that particular chiller but if you are in the Pittsburgh, PA area I would be willing to sell a lightly used chiller with a built in temperature controller that works great...and I would sell it cheap.

Oh, I see you live in the desert and no where near Pgh, PA so my chiller will not help you. O well best of luck in finding one.

Yeah, thanks for the offer though. If I was close, I'd take you up on it.