Which large chiller do you recommend?

TriMax · #1 07/11/2007, 02:48 PM

I am planning a 375g tank and a 300g tank connected with 130g sump. I will have:
an ETSS 1800 skimmer with a Iwaki 100 pump for flow,
1- Iwaki 40 pump for overflow,
2- dolphin 4700 pumps for closed loop,
1- Iwaki 100 maybe for the chiller,
8- 400w MHs, four for each tank.

I have been told that I need to get a 1 hp chiller.

I have looked some at Aqualogic, Pacific Coast, SeaLine, and TradeWinds. Some cost considerable more than others.

Which do you folks with big tanks recommend? And maybe, which do you not recommend?

Money is not my only concern, but I do have considerably less than I did when I started this project.

Thanks for the help!!

Eddie

Additional info:
I live in east Tennessee
Max temp is rarely over 95F, usually less than 90.
Tanks are in basement, outside walls approximately ½ under ground.
Wife keeps the house around 68-70F upstairs.

Thanks again.

Justjoe · #2 07/11/2007, 07:26 PM

You won't regret getting an Aqualogic chiller, very reliable and great customer service. I have 1/2hp through 20hp units.

ricks · #3 07/12/2007, 09:54 AM

1 HP Pacific Coast here. Has worked well for 3 years. And yes you will need at least a 100 Iwaki. Don't forget about a back up chiller also.. I would never run a large system without one!!!

Happy Reefing

TriMax · #4 07/12/2007, 03:18 PM

Thanks folks for the reply. I have looked at the Aqualogic and the Pacific Coast more than the other two. A friend in our reef club recommended the Aqualogic. They is a considerable price difference. With such a price difference that was so obvious, I was wondering if there was a corresponding difference in level of quality.

Anyone else have any suggestions.

Thanks again.

ricks · #5 07/12/2007, 03:36 PM

I have had both and still do. Both units work great. My most recent purchase was the 1 HP Pacific Coast going on 3 years no problems...

detect007 · #6 07/12/2007, 03:46 PM

I have a pacific coast chiller, and it has worked really well for me. Good luck.

Justjoe · #7 07/12/2007, 09:19 PM

Aqualogic has a pure titanium HX, where some use a mixed metal HX that has potential problems, they use very reliable compressors and other components, good straight shooters there as well.
I'm not saying others don't as I don't know much about them, but I have a long track record with Aqualogic and don't feel the need to look elsewhere, and I have their units in some very demanding situations.

bcordill · #8 07/12/2007, 11:48 PM

I have an old aquanetics (believe now is aqualogic). Been going since 1996.

Double-J · #9 07/13/2007, 09:24 AM

TradeWinds!

ricks · #10 07/13/2007, 09:42 AM

Aqualogic 1 HP = 2,099.00

Pacific Coast 1 HP = 1,350.00

750.00 savings

You could almost buy a back up with the savings....

jjjimmy · #11 07/13/2007, 11:30 AM

I have a 1/2 HP Pacific coast. At one time a had a sensor go bad and the chiller stuck on for 45 minutes before I caught it.

I have nearly 300 gallons of total water volume and the chiller dropped my water temp by 17 degrees in just 45 minutes. So, if any one wants to tell me that there is a better chiller with more cooling power for the money go right ahead.

Pacific Coast, great chiller hands down.

TriMax · #12 07/13/2007, 12:41 PM

looks like Pacific Coast is in the lead. At this point anyway.

Thanks folks for the comments.

SALT WATER CRAZ · #13 07/13/2007, 04:44 PM

TradeWinds

calciumbuf · #14 07/14/2007, 07:52 AM

Pacific coast 1hp 220 unit here 4 yrs zero issues, piece of mind is priceless

reefkoi · #15 07/14/2007, 04:44 PM

Eriksen 2 h.p. from aquatic ecosystems (Aquaeco exclusive but actually made by current USA) Its actually a heat pump so it cools and chills all in one. It's 230v which most larger chillers are, does produce some noise from the huge fan, but the case is a very sleek black powdercoated finish, I am impressed with it.
I'd include a pic but its stuffed into my mech room and its tight in there.

TriMax · #16 07/16/2007, 09:37 AM

Looks like Pacific Coast is taking the lead. I am sure the others work fine. I do like the price of the PC. There was a question about the heat exchangers being all titanium. Does anyone know if the Pacific Coast and Tradewinds have all titanium HXs?

Aqualogic 2
Pacific Coast 4
Tradewinds 2
Eriksen 1
Sealine 0

If I knew how to create a pole, I would ask what kind of chiller 1/2 Hp or greater that you have and recommend. But I do not.

Other comments are welcome.

Thanks for the ones received so far.

ricks · #17 07/16/2007, 10:15 AM

Yes, they are all titanium.. Go to pacificcoastimports.com. They will not sell direct, Championlighting.com will...

TriMax · #18 07/16/2007, 01:48 PM

Thanks ricks

Custom Aquatics also has the Pacific Coast Imports 1hp 110v for $1,349 (18 amps) and the 1 hp 230v for $1,399 (10 amps). I do not know which is the better deal 110v and 18 amps or 230v and 10 amps. Need to ask. You have the 110 and calciumbuf has the 220v. Oh, well, more stuff to ask about. Sure is a lot to reefing, huh.

Thanks for all the comments.

If you have more info/comments for/about my system or about chillers, please chime in also.

Eddie

huge1day · #19 07/16/2007, 09:35 PM

I think it is important to ask, which if all of these chillers can the freon be refilled if it escapes. I have a coolreef chiller that the manufacturer doesn't seem to be around any longer and I can't find anyone to work on it. ?? Seems like if it was "just a refrigeration unit" someone could work on it?

bart

ThaNgBOm321 · #20 07/16/2007, 10:08 PM

im sure someone can work on it... they just need to know what type of freon is in it... ( im thinking 134 a aka r12 replacement cuzz thats what they use for freezers... r22 for house ) they just need to use a saddle tap on it and they will be able the put the guages on it... heck i bet if you bring it to a HVAC place a service tech can figure it out..

YzGyz

RichardReef · #21 07/16/2007, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TriMax
Thanks ricks

Custom Aquatics also has the Pacific Coast Imports 1hp 110v for $1,349 (18 amps) and the 1 hp 230v for $1,399 (10 amps). I do not know which is the better deal 110v and 18 amps or 230v and 10 amps. Need to ask. You have the 110 and calciumbuf has the 220v. Oh, well, more stuff to ask about. Sure is a lot to reefing, huh.

Thanks for all the comments.

If you have more info/comments for/about my system or about chillers, please chime in also.

Eddie

Problem here in Florida, not sure it would apply to you is lines are 15 amps max. Not sure I could even run that 18amp on a reg outlet.

Rich

ricks · #22 07/17/2007, 09:07 AM

I could be wrong but I think the 18amp-10amp is a start surge to fire the compressor. The running amp load is much less... So a 20 amp circuit would handle the 18 amp surge. if it was a dedicated circuit. I have the 220 volt and I think most electricians would recommend for lower power consumption.

TriMax · #23 07/20/2007, 10:11 AM

"I could be wrong but I think the 18amp-10amp is a start surge to fire the compressor. The running amp load is much less... So a 20 amp circuit would handle the 18 amp surge."

Rick, you might be right, but I ask an electrician, at work, and was told that if the specs said 18 amps or 10 amps to count on that being the operating amperage. I was also told that the 220v chiller would be better. So now I have to decide which 1 hp 220v chiller to buy. I am leaning toward the Pacific Coast Imports. I just have not been convinced that spending the additional money on the others brands is justified.

Of course, now I have to decide how to get power to the two tanks, MH lighting, the overflow pump, and the closed loop pumps, and all the lesser loads, and, of course, the 220v chiller. This hobby/obsession can be complicated and expensive. News to all of you who have large tanks, I know.

More thoughts or considerations for me are/would be appreciated.

Thanks

ricks · #24 07/20/2007, 10:35 AM

Large tanks, figure around 100.00 per gallon... Maybe more in the long run. Also figure around 1.00 per gallon monthly expense..

Happy Reefing

reef / aholic · #25 07/21/2007, 07:02 PM

Try a Aqualogic or TradeWinds.