Chillers

R

ReefGod

I got a 215 gal, for a while now the temp in my tank has been around 82, for some reason it's getting harder for me to bring the temp down so I'm looking to buy a chiller, does anyone have any experience with the 1/6 Titan 250 by AquaMedic its rated to bring down temp by 5 on 180 gal, so Im assuming that it will work on my 215 to get my temp down to at least 79. Does anyone know a good/better chiller I could get for under $500 What do you guys think?
 
I would recommend getting a bigger chiller but it'll defintely cost you more.

That chiller may work but it's going to run a lot more then a bigger chiller, thus possibly wearing it down faster and giving you a higher electric bill.
 
Watch eBay. You'll need one that is around 1/3rd HP you could probably skimp with a 1/4 but 1/6 will run all the time and cost a ton to operate!

I picked up a 3/4 HP for $700

There are nice units on there all the time for under $500

Here is one that ends in a couple days

http://tinyurl.com/fwdoe

(Edit - URL Tiny'ed by Serk)
 
I speak from experiance with aquamedic chillers.

They are good but you need the 1/2 horse for your aquarium. I think I paid about 500$ for mine when they came out and were on special.
 
You also need to watch where you place the chiller. They do put out heat, and if it is close to your tank, you are negating the whole use of the chiller. Just my .02c
 
I apologize, if you have done this already.

Have you placed a fan in the canopy that blows over the lights and out of the canopy? I have 6 t5's about 3 inches above the water on my 90. The temperatures skyrocketed because the lights pretty much cover the whole top of the tank. I placed a 7" clip on fan from wally mart on the canopy and blow it under the lights to the water surface and out the front. My temperatures dropped nearly 5 degrees from this alone. I used to have to keep my house at 73 degrees for my tank to stay around 78 degrees. As of right now, my house is at 79 degrees and my tank is at 79.7 degrees. An unbelievable difference. You would probably have to have 3 of these fans to do the job you need. But, it would be cheaper than a chiller.
 
sorry to change the subject to me :roll: but this post got me a little worried. I purchased a JBJ 1/5 HP Inline Arctica Chiller for my 180g. Should I also be considering an upgrade?
 
Well it all depends. How hot does your tank get now and how hot do you want to keep it. If your tank is running at 81 or 82 for a high and you want to keep it at 80 you will probably be ok. If your running 83 consistently 82-83 and want to go to 78 you'll have issues.
 
ok im trying to decide between two chillers, which one would you consider is better:

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=AL1117K

or


http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=JB1117

both are about the same price, and same hp. However I thinking since marinedepot is trying to give free stuff (remote controller) with the first chiller, then maybe is has a harder time selling it. What are your opinions?

oh and BTW thanks for all your advices, I already have 3 fans working 24/7 they keep the temp stable at usually below 82 but now its getting really hot outside and I'm starting to worry.
 
I have to agree those chillers are to small for those size tanks. I have a 215 and use a 1/2 HP chiller. Like Keith said those small chillers will be running constantly keeping the temp. down. And where you have them makes a big difference. They need to be away from the tank to avoid just heating the air around the tank.
 
I just dont understand if that the case then why do all of those 1/4 and 1/3 brands label their chillers up to 280 gallons or even larger tanks.
 
@Anton M wrote:
I just dont understand if that the case then why do all of those 1/4 and 1/3 brands label their chillers up to 280 gallons or even larger tanks. said:
That is what is confusing me too. Seems common in the hobby though from my recent experience that you should always go 2-3x over the recommended item. Protein Skimmers being another good example.

Guess I will just sell my current chiller and pick up a new one. So for my 180g I am reading that recommend a 1/3hp minimum, maybe even a 1/2hp?
Click to expand...
 
I believe when they rate chillers they are on tanks with no heat sources (ie. pump, lights). So they are somewhat unreal specs.
 
I was at fish gallery yesterday and they had a used 1/3 hp chiller outside that he was going to sell for $100 if it was working. Might want to give them a call and see if he got it working.

Ideally, I would want to put my chiller outside, but that would require drilling through the brick and that's not going to make the wife happy.

Chris
 
Not sure if it would be wise to put a chiller outside in Texas...

I could be way off here, but from my understanding the chiller has problems working in high heat environments...
 
@Olaggie01 wrote:
I was at fish gallery yesterday and they had a used 1/3 hp chiller outside that he was going to sell for $100 if it was working. Might want to give them a call and see if he got it working. Ideally said:
Mine is drilled through the brick and sits outside under a covered patio. It works great outside, as long as you can protect it against getting wet.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Rick. I knew that someone here in DFW put there chiller outside. Maybe in my next house, I'll plan for a chiller.

Chris
 
Mine is outside also under the deck in it's own "doghouse"

You don't want it to big as it will change the temp to fast but like almost everything else their tank size "recommendations" are way to small!
 
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