Should I use my chiller? Or sell it?

Jovany Coronado · Jul 10, 2020

So I have a chiller that was given to me by a buddy of mine. Should I sell it and buy some more corals lol or install it? I’m located in Miami, FL. My temperature swings 2 degrees at most throughout the day. What’s your opinion on chillers?

SPR1968 · Jul 10, 2020

I think it’s one of those pieces of equipment were you either need one or you don’t, and it depends what your keeping in terms of corals etc

I have 2 tanks, a S650 with no chiller, and temperature can fluctuate by around 2-3c for short periods in summer, but my big tank has one because of what’s going in it, SPS.

dank reefer · Jul 10, 2020

I would say keep it.
I bought a tank and it came with a chiller as well. Never hooked it up until my AC took a dive, and was out of AC for almost 3 days. I lived in Miami, so I know how high the temperature can get, and then just imagine your AC going out in the middle of Miami winter and its 90 degrees outside.

BZOFIQ · Jul 10, 2020

I'd say keep it for a season to see how your tank lives through the summer. If you see temp spikes install it. If after 2 seasons you figure you don't need it, sell it.

That said, I had a small chiller (1/5 HP) sitting in the basement and didn't need it for 5 years; bought it for a song just in case it's needed with a new larger tank. This year it saved my tank - at some point dumping bags of ice no longer helped.

It's a keeper and I'm already running a loop to outside for future install on the new build. This is my second AquaLogic unit - Love the fact that they can be put outside instead of blowing hot air into the room.

Jovany Coronado · Jul 10, 2020

I never thought of the ac taking a dump and the temperature spike in the house. I guess I’ll keep it lol

BZOFIQ · Jul 10, 2020

Jovany Coronado said:
I never thought of the ac taking a dump and the temperature spike in the house. I guess I’ll keep it lol

Responsible decision. In a few years, you'll pat yourself on the back.

wphan · Jul 10, 2020

You’re in Florida. It’s better to have it.

Jovany Coronado · Jul 10, 2020

Yea it’s always the what if’s that get ya so I better have it and not need it, then need it and not have it

Reef. · Jul 10, 2020

Jovany Coronado said:
I never thought of the ac taking a dump and the temperature spike in the house. I guess I’ll keep it lol

I guess that means something different in the US than the UK

vetteguy53081 · Jul 10, 2020

K E E P !!!

My 660 came with one and I of course Knew I wouldnt need it, so I got rid of it. GUESS WHAT I HAD TO BUY LAST MONTH ? YUP

harley32907 · Jul 10, 2020

Keep it, from Daytona Beach

Jovany Coronado · Jul 10, 2020

Reef. said:
I guess that means something different in the US than the UK

Lol I thought it meant the same worldwide hahahaha

Jovany Coronado · Jul 10, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
K E E P !!!

My 660 came with one and I of course Knew I wouldnt need it, so I got rid of it. GUESS WHAT I HAD TO BUY LAST MONTH ? YUP

Yikessss I don’t wanna go through that. And a 660 sounds impressive!!! Atleast you probably have more time to play with since it’s more water volume for temperature swings

mitch91175 · Jul 26, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
K E E P !!!

My 660 came with one and I of course Knew I wouldnt need it, so I got rid of it. GUESS WHAT I HAD TO BUY LAST MONTH ? YUP

This is that same thing that happens to us all

. I just sold an Apex that I "WASN'T" gonna use, and now I would use it if/when I setup a new system.

Chillers seems to loose a lot of value used, but they are good to have. I didn't have one for the longest time and got one recently. Tank temps would get to 81 (running fans all day and I have central A/C). Now tank between 78/79.

In my system, running the chiller caused a chain reaction. Not evaporating nearly as much water, so humidity in house feels great. Chiller only runs a few times a day versus the fans running for hours. Oh, with less evaporation I no longer use kalk stirrer so that was a bummer. Will need to adjust it.

Overall, loving the chiller for my SPS tank.

ca1ore · Jul 26, 2020

I had the AC fail in my house summer before last and without a chiller, I’d have been facing major problems. Tank tends to run about 5-6 degrees above ambient and my house hit 85 ..... that’s tank crash territory. So think of a chiller a as redundancy/insurance.

mitch91175 · Jul 26, 2020

There was a thread recently about running a chiller or not. Being honest it’s been years since I had one. Finally got another one and was jumping for joy.