Who uses chiller and why

Dr. Reef · May 20, 2020

Who uses chiller and why do you need to have a chiller?
What make model and other info would be great.

ReefLab · May 20, 2020

Some people in my area use them for garage tanks. (115 degree summers). Otherwise, most tanks inside in air conditioning don’t need one.

if you’re planning on running MH and a bunch of AC pumps maybe but most likely an unnecessary cost

Wasabi · May 20, 2020

If you room cannot maintain a temp of the fish tank you will need a chiller. It’s like having AC for you fish tank

xabo · May 20, 2020

I run a JBJ 1/3...................I may the only person who as to run one during Winter because the Wife as the heat set on He**.

Nobbygas · May 20, 2020

I live in Central Germany where Summer temperatures reach 40c (104f) during the Summer. A Chiller is essential. I have a TECO1000 on my Red Sea S-650.

Reesj · May 20, 2020

I use a Hailea chiller. I'm from Sri Lanka and the tempratures here go to 32-33 C during mid days. The tank gets quite warm throught the year.
During these summer time I'm trying to keep it at 28-29C (82-84F) and during other days 27-28C.

I got the hailea 100A one which is a bit under powered for my (50+8) gallon system. It takes about 1 hour to get the 1C cool from 29->28.

Although it is one of the cheaper brand, I have nto had any troubles so far. Benn like 8 months now working great.

Badilac · May 20, 2020

If I don't run a chiller on my 300g+ my tank temp just keeps rising even being in a temp controlled garage. I run a Tradewinds Super 1/3hp. I'm about to move the chiller outdoors because it heat the garage up in order to cool the tank which in turn heats the tank back up because the air temp raises in the 80's F. I'm hoping moving it outdoors will help the tank maintain the temp better.

ca1ore · May 20, 2020

My tank would hit 85 if I did not run a chiller since I don't run my house AC at arctic temperatures. I suppose 85 isn't terrible, but with the investment I have in corals and fish I prefer to keep it at 80/81. My system is large so I run a 3/4HP tradewinds chiller. Been very happy with it - probably the best built unit I have owned …. and I have owned a few. The big selling point to me was the large 1 1/2" native plumbing on the unit since I wanted to be able to use it on my main return line and most of the 'toy' chillers are extremely restrictive to flow (really need to be on their own circuit). Since my basement sump room is adjacent to an external wall, I do run the chiller outside so I am not putting all the heat (plus the heat from the chiller itself) back into the house.

Dr. Dendrostein · May 20, 2020

Dr. Reef said:
Who uses chiller and why do you need to have a chiller?
What make model and other info would be great.

We make our own, we have a thread on here making a chiller out of a window air conditioner and the new one we made is up and running at this time and no issues, we live in Always Sunny Callyfornia, because we're trying to raise certain type of soft corals, our tank setup is outside approximately 80 gallons total on a half horsepower chiller, the hottest it gets out here is 118 degrees and the new chiller should have no problems keeping the water at 74 degrees. Last year we had a different half horsepower chiller running and had no issues keeping the water at that temperature.

#2 window a/c chiller

About a year-and-a-half ago I had a thread on making a chiller out of a window AC. I just got this barrel heat exchanger to make another one and so I will be building one out of a barrel heat exchanger. Heat exchanger is made of titanium. So right now I'm looking for a window air conditioner...

www.reef2reef.com

vangvace · May 20, 2020

I run a Teco 1000 on my Red Sea S-650. I picked the brand based on reputation and recommendations here, the built in heater, and being able to raise my house temperature in the summer a few degrees.

One thing to look at in particular is if the chiller can be serviced to keep it running cool for years to come; just like your home AC you might need to top off or replace the coolant over the lifetime of the product.

davidrod8 · May 29, 2020

My tank actually sits outside, in a covered patio. Living in Houston, TX a chiller is a must. Check out my build thread for more info. It's been a challenge to deal with temps in the 30s and in the 90s.... Can't wait for the 100s to get here

Firthy13 · May 29, 2020

here in Australia it gets to 46deg (115F) in summer. Unless the room is Air conditioned, we need one.

X-37B · May 29, 2020

I keep the house at 75 in the 100+ summer.
I have a chiller but run the poor mans chiller.
A 8" $10 fan blowing into the sump.
Keeps tank temp at 79.
Its 82+ if I dont use it.

14 foot reef · May 29, 2020

I run a 2 HP Tradewinds, my tank used to run 86 degrees in the summer, 80 in the winter. it now runs 78 degrees year round. Let me know if you need pricing on a tradewinds. this is the one I have
https://www.tradewindchillers.com/high-performance-water-chiller/

Water Dog · May 29, 2020

I have 57 gallon tank + sump cooled with a JBJ 1/10 chiller. My house is an older home built in the 40s, so no central air. My tank resides in an isolated rear bedroom in the house, so it’s a necessity as temperatures rise.

ca1ore · May 29, 2020

14 foot reef said:
I run a 2 HP Tradewinds, my tank used to run 86 degrees in the summer, 80 in the winter. it now runs 78 degrees year round. Let me know if you need pricing on a tradewinds. this is the one I have
https://www.tradewindchillers.com/high-performance-water-chiller/

Zoinks! How many gallons is your system? I have about 600 and use the tradewinds 3/4HP .... probably could have gotten away with 1/2HP.