chiller set up question

Drewpy · #1 04/15/2006, 01:17 PM

I have a 1/10th hp artica chiller and would like to set it up on my 46 gallon...
I have a maxi jet 1200 (295gph) for flow and it meets the minimum flow needed (240gph).

My question is: can i put the maxi jet in my refugium when my refugium only circulates water from the tank at 150 GPH?

I have no sump and i am trying avoid putting the pump in the tank...

oneil · #2 04/15/2006, 07:02 PM

how do u get the water from fug to your tank ?Can your sump handle 295gph ?

david8956 · #3 04/15/2006, 08:47 PM

I don't know how long your run is from your refugium to your chiller, but I would be suprised if the MJ 1200 has more than 100 gph after head loss. Check it using the head loss calculator on the Reef Central home page.

I'll bet you are going to something like a Mag 5 or a Mag 7, but these won't work if your refugium won't handle that amount of flow.

Drewpy · #4 04/15/2006, 09:18 PM

hmmm... I cannot figure out the head loss calculator... somebody help?

the pump sits in the bottom of a hang on type refugium and the chiller below it about 3 feet. connected with 1/2 id tubing... i could raise the chiller off the ground for less head loss?

I set up the chiller with the maxi jet and it does rapidly cool the tank... just wondering how it will work when it gets warm... whether or not it will constantly cycle on and off because the refuigum pump can't keep up...

Drewpy · #5 04/15/2006, 09:26 PM

does the calculator work in this situation ---pump is in the tank/hangon refugium not below in the sump

david8956 · #6 04/16/2006, 08:18 AM

Put in how far below the pump the chiller is (because even if it doesn't have to pump it "uphill" to get to the chiller, it has to pump it uphill after it goes through the chiller), the # of feet the chiller is away from the pump (horizontal run), and the number of 90 degree elbows you have (probably 4....2 in the refugium, and 2 at the chiller) You have to use 3/4" tubing in the calculator as 1/2" isn't an option. (Also, keep in mind there is probably 10' of metal coil inside the chiller the water has to flow through)

For example, a MJ1200, using 3/4" tubing with 2' of head pressure and 4 90 degree elbows only gives you 50 gph. It will be even less with 1/2" tubing and taking into consideration the tubing inside the chiller itself.

Drewpy · #7 04/16/2006, 08:44 AM

hmm... I am not sure there is any head pressure--- i got everything wet and i think this is why...

once the pump was hooked up i had a small leak at the connection and had to fix it... the pump was not on but water kept spilling out the output end of the line...

when i raised the output end of the line above the pump (which is off) the water stopped flowing but when the output end of the line was below the pump --water came out like a siphon...

In the refugium i put the output a little lower then pump...

Does this make sense or am i mistaken?

water definately comes out the output a lot faster then 50gph... maybe i will just fill a gallon jug and time how long it takes...

Drewpy · #8 04/16/2006, 08:47 AM

but this still leaves my original question un answered--- no matter what pump i use is the refugium which only circulates at 150 gph a good enough place for it?