Who runs a chiller?

[MarkM3]

For those of us in warm climates, keeping cool can be an issue.

[zanemoseley]

It comes down to the need to climate control your house to about 70-72 and then just about 1-2 cubic feet per minuite of fan intake is required per gallon, I have a 75 with 2x250 MH 8" off the water 2x55w actinic, I have 200CFM of fan in take and a partially open canopy for the air to exit, my tank never gets above 79.5

[beerguy]

Keeping my house at 70-72 all summer long on California electric rates is not an option. I could buy a 1/2hp chiller per month for what that would cost and still be ahead of the game.

[TippyToeX]

I plan on buying one in the next week or two. I did fine last summer (just used two 4" fans) but I never felt comfortable with the temp swing I had. This summer needs to be different.

[zanemoseley]

yet another reason NOT to live in CA, TN is great for electricity

[B.Bones]

TippyToex
where u from? I am in Philly. Sometimes it gets over 100 in the summer. I dont think fans would cut it for me.

[Oceanic105]

In a reef tank at what temp do you start to get concerned?

[TippyToeX]

Originally posted by B.Bones
TippyToex
where u from? I am in Philly. Sometimes it gets over 100 in the summer. I dont think fans would cut it for me.

I live in Las Vegas. 105+ (and far above that) degree days here in the summer are the norm. If my air was not set or for what ever reason failed, my tanks would be toast. I am finding that to be the most convincing reason for me to invest in a chiller right now.

Yet if the air was on 24/7 at about 78*, I could get away with just the fans. Again, I was not all that happy with the tmep swing from night (fans not on) to when the MH went on (fans on)

[tarheelreefer420]

Does anyone have any tips for a good place to buy a chiller?

[North Bay 101]

I believe that with the amount of money that most of us have invested in livestock it is foolish not to have a chiller if fans will not keep our temps in line. Whats another $500 or so?

[Tahoe Ocean]

It's amazing that what I spend on heating in the winter, you must spend on cooling in the summer! In fact, my heater is still on most of the time during the summer. And to think, only 1hr 20min drive is Beerguy using a chiller!

[SaltyMist]

Im finding that I AM in need of a chiller and are now looking for the best buy, since I only have a 20 gallon that needs t0 be chilled im looking for the best deal I can find.

Our recent temps just hit 92f today, but are going back down tommorrow, but summer is just around the corner.

Anyone corner the market on chillers and have a chiller or two to spare?

In the house I just sold last Nov, I'd still be using the heater or fireplace in the house to warm it, but now Im in the valley, and it's hot as hell today. My electric bills used to be around $265.00 a month to heat the house, and about $80.00 to cool it with a swamp cooler and a room ac unit. Now in the valley Im finding that I have to run 3 room ac units to keep the house comfortable.

Gawd, I really miss living in the mountains (other than the 23f days with only a fireplace to heat the living room and ceiling panel electric run through heaters to heat the bedrooms). I certainly dont miss the $265 to $320 electric bills though. Mucho cheaper to heat this house with gas ($75. in the winter and $19. in the summer for cooking, but summer is just approaching, so I expect $150.00 electric bills or higher to cool this place).

[Tahoe Ocean]

saltymist: when you say The Valley, I assume somewhere between Sac and Merced? I went to college in Sacto. You couldn't pay me enough to live there again during the summers!

If I had to run a chiller, I'd need a tank big enough to be in with the fish to stay cool!

[SaltyMist]

Nope, actually I meant the san fernando valley. I use to live in the san gabriel mountains that got down regualry in the winter to 23f or even lower, lately here our daytime highs have been in the 90's, though as Ive said they are going down tommorrow.

I use to live in Sac (along the american river, so daytime highs didnt get quite as high as downtown Sac, but still got high, but I didnt have any tanks to worry abou then). and wouldnt live there again, too hot, too stuffy, too UNFUN!

[B.Bones]

SaltyMist there is a probe type chiller that would work for you and its around 200.00 look @ marine depot 20 gallons isn't hard to chill. i have to chill 210g. for now SaltyMist put a fan so it goes across the front glass and the top of the water. it will help.

[frogguy1]

I live in the south, talking san antonio,Tx. Lets just say it gets warms here. I am only about 2 hours from Mexico. I leave my air conditioner on all summer, which leeps my apartment usually around 73, plus I run fans for the tank.

[B.Bones]

and that doesn't help out? well doing that and a probe chiller for a 20g should be fine.

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...index.asp?ast=

[Nanook]

I will be using a split system AC unit in the equipment room.

nanook

[Rod Buehler]

Originally posted by Oceanic105
In a reef tank at what temp do you start to get concerned?

Depends on where you keep your temp to beging with.. I like NSW temps of 84ish.. when it hits 87-88 I get concerned, but have yet to see any ill effects.. If I kept my tanks cold ( 78-79) then when the emps hit 87, the corals would suffer.

[Scuba_Dave]

I have a 125g main tank, and over 100g in my basement sump/fuge setup. Basement is only 61-2 right now, heaters are still on. We had one "hot" day so far - 86? and tank was rock solid at set temp. No fans yet. I will be monitoring as summer approaches. I have LOTS of fans ready to go & a 24k A/C, plus I will be buying an additional A/c for basement if needed.
In addition I am buying an auto-start generator - about $3k;
In addition to a stand alone 5k generator I already have

Backup the backups, then I won't have to worrry

[Chris_Lee]

Well, I am in texas and I am finding out I am going to need a chiller. I have a closed top 120g with 880w of vho very close to the water and it is getting close to 86 with the lights on for only 4 hours. I am running fans but its not helping.

[epson2k]

Originally posted by SaltyMist
Im finding that I AM in need of a chiller and are now looking for the best buy, since I only have a 20 gallon that needs t0 be chilled im looking for the best deal I can find.

try this. many people use this on their 30g's or less

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...Code=Minichill

[SaltyMist]

I'd thought of those but I run a glass tank, so drilling it is out. Also according to that site you need a controller, else you let your heater and chiller battle it out all the time. Seems not very efficient to do that.

Also because the room temps can get up to 89f with the AC in the room off, I dont think the iceprobe is going to be the way to go for me.

[cuongvynguyen]

I run an open top aquarium with the ballast mounted remotely. The ballast seem to be as great a heat source as the MH bulbs.

[epson2k]

Yes you would need a controller. If you were running a powerfilter you could easily drill on the side, but looks like you would much rather prefer a real chiller

Just an FYI, I purchased aquamedic titan 150 (thermo electric chiller and rather cheap). I run it on my 29gallon tank + 10g sump and its not doing a great job keeping the heat down, though you may get more use out of it since your water capacity is less.

If you want to read my detailed comments on the chiller, log on to Premiumaquatics.com, search for the chiller, and click read reviews.