What size chiller. 120g w/ 50g sump

[integlikewhoa]

I been thinking about a 1/4hp arctica but 1/3hp is only a bit more. just a lil over 1 amp draw differance so thats not much right? the size diff is not much. What do you guys think? 1/4 will do just fine with some extra play or 1/4 have to work hard to make it so im better off with 1/3? heres some specs.

I have a 120g acrylic
50g sump with fuge.
mag 12 return
Dart with oceans motions closed loop
2 250 HQI MH and 4 55w Pcs in open back canopy with 2 fans.
I live in LA Cali and in an apartment. NO a/c and can get to 85 maybe 90 degrees inside during hot days in summer. Right now with no canopy or lights installed (still being built) tanks at 80 degrees and havent had any hot days yet. no fans or anythign going.

whatch guys think? thanks JIm

[integlikewhoa]

bump

[bskiba]

most 1/4's should be fine

[mrmashew]

I have a 1/3 jbj on my 110 with a 30gal sump.

[xahx]

i would go with the 1/3 hp incase u want to upgrade later!

[jdieck]

Althoughome brands of 1/4 hp will do well (like aqualogic) they need to run about 50 to 60% of the time. If you have the money and space go for 1/3hp

[SHOmuchFUN]

Why not try the window A/C unit first??? That chiller is only going to make your apartment MORE HOT. At least with the window A/C both you AND your tank benefit. Then just add a couple fans to your canopy. We won't even talk wattage!

[integlikewhoa]

Window a/c has been long thought about but decied against it due to the size and type of windows i have in this old place. Also im not home very and a/c would have to run all day to keep the house cool for the fish tank. Also my tank has been at 80 degrees already i dont even have a canopy or lights installed yet and its been cold here latley. So that means the house is going to have to be kept around 70-73 degress just to keep my tank cool. Even when im not home all day and most units i was looking at were around 10-12 amp draw. Decided not to go that way already. Mostly due to mounting one in a very large window that slides side to side. Also managment company aint easy to deal with and dont want to spend the money and have then make me take it down and patch any holes.

So back to the chiller. I guess im going 1/3hp. Its only 5 inch wider and 1.25 amp draw more but does anyone know how the noise compairs to the 1/4hp is there a differance between the sizes? what else is diff?

[tomu]

I have an AquaMedic 1/6 hp on my 125 and that works fine. Mine draws 5 amps. I would do no more than a 1/4 hp. There is a bit more noise but not much.

[wrassie86]

it really depends on the amount of light your using and pumps plus the ambiant air where the chiller will kept.i use 3 400 w mh plus 440w VHO on a 125g i have a 1/4hp it runs for 50 minutes to cool 1 deg.if my house is at 75 or so, if the house is at 80 it could run for over a hour. and it puts out a lot of heat into the room it blows.needless to say i feel this chiller is to small for my system and will be ordering a 1/3hp soon, as i would like a shorter run time.but if this chiller will be kept in your living area be prepared to sweat.you might be better off getting a big window A/C and using fans on your tank.
I do have a 1/6 hp chiller that works great and the heat is not to bad 4 cheap.

[cyberpanther]

I have a 1/6 HP chiller on a 90 gallon reef with a 30 gallon sump. For lighting I have 2 400 watt Metal Halides and 2 55 watt PCs. The chiller does a great job which is pretty impressive IMO.

[integlikewhoa]

wrassie what type of chiller u have? the chiller will be infront of a window maybe i could rig up something to put the heat outside. one doe something like that?

[wrassie86]

Originally posted by integlikewhoa
wrassie what type of chiller u have? the chiller will be infront of a window maybe i could rig up something to put the heat outside. one doe something like that?

If you were able to vent the chiller completly outside you could get by with a smaller model but run times would very.i dont have that option and have to vent into a very huge walk in closet.lets just say the closet reaches 96 degrese and thats with my 1/4 taking in 77 degree air.
The chiller i have 4 sale might be sold localy to a club member thats coming by in a few days.so im not sure yet.
heres the link if he turns it down, i dont have a problem with shipping.if your interested.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=582715

[Jas0863]

I have 1/4 HP Arctica chiller for sale. I was running it on a 150 gals reef (soft coral domonated) with 6-96W PC's, Iwakis 70, 55 and 40 rlts pumps here in San Diego. I upgraded my lights by adding 2-250W & 1-400W MH's along with 2 Seio 820 powerheads and a 30 gals refugium, now a SPS dominated tank. I then switched to a 1/2 HP because of all the additional heat sources and increased water volume. The 1/4 was maintaining my temp around 78 degs on a normal day cycling off and on, until the hot days came. Then I adjusted my tank to 80 degs and it maintained it on cycle.

[integlikewhoa]

Thanks wrassie but i need at least 1/4 and im sure ill get a 3rd now. The group buy on the 3rd is 600.00 or 530.00 for a 1/4. They are local to me and also JBJ is local if i even had a problem. Both within 15-20min drive of me.

I think ill build a opened backed box with a funnel out the back into a tall but narrow window. one of those windows next to the door that has a whole bunch or 4inch tall pieces that open outward. Hard to explain without a pic.

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thats closed

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thats half open

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thats open if you get that i mean.
i can pull some of the bottom glasses out and make something exit there. What u guys think?