Inline or drop in chiller

[fishdoc11]

Hey all,
Looks like I might need to get a chiller for my new 90. I have a 30 gallon sump. Do you recommend inline or drop in. Also what brands have worked well for you.
thanks, Chris

[reeftechie]

inline are nice, but then you need another pump, with drop in you dont, so you save some electricity. I like inline's.

[fishdoc11]

Can I just run the return through the chiller? Excuse the questions. I am ignorant about chillers.
thanks, Chris

[fishdoc11]

Also looking at the Pacific Coast and Aquamedic chillers . Anyone have any thoughts on those?
thanks, Chris

[Tenny]

Anyone have thoughts on Red Sea Inline Chillers? A member here on RC had one, but I never found a place that sells them or anything, he said he got them direct from factory.

[reeftechie]

Originally posted by fishdoc11
Can I just run the return through the chiller? Excuse the questions. I am ignorant about chillers.
thanks, Chris

I believe you cant, but I am not positive about that, I would think you would be better off to run the return through it. and take the out up for a return if you wanted to do it that way.

Any thoughts?

[fishdoc11]

That's what I meant, I think. Running the return pump line out of the sump to the chiller and then out of the chiller up to the aquarium. Is that what you are talkng about? Sorry you have to move by the way. I thought moving a 75 gallon reef tank to a 90 gallon one in my house was hard lol.

Also anyone have any thoughts on Aqua Medic chillers?

thanks,Chris

[reeftechie]

yeah that is what I was thinking, I am not sure but most chillers require 400-500 GPH so you would lose a lot on the return side. Might not be worth it.

Its ok I love to move tanks haha...

[Jack04]

why not run your return from your tank to the chiller????

Gravity driven = no pump !!!

[fishdoc11]

The problem with that Jack is the overflow(what you are calling the return, don't know who's right I just call it that, could be wrong)is the limiting factor in how much turnover I have in the tank. I am limited to 600gph by the overflow but I can allways get a bigger return(back to the tank)pump and run the chiller off it. Actually reeftechie makes a very good point in that is it worth it? I am starting to think using a dedicated powerhead comming out of the sump for the chiller might be the best idea.
thanks, Chris

[reeftechie]

I agree with you Chris, I would just run a small pump mag 5 max and you will be set. That is what I am going to do with the new 1.0 HP chiller I am getting in a couple of weeks.

[DRC426]

I like inline units. I have a JBJ and like it very much. Very quiet.
It seats next to the stand between the wall and the tank stand.
I'm happy with the unit, check it out.

Good Luck

[chewie70]

Hey Chris, I just picked up a Pacific Coast CL-280 chiller from Andy at myreefcreations.com. This chiller seems really nice and would work great for you if you only need to drop your temp. 5-10 deg. I'm running mine on a Mag 7 with about 3' of head to the chiller and another 3' to the tank and it's working great. Check out Andy's site since all of the chillers are on SALE (my favorite word).
Take care,
Matt

[fishdoc11]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I've got the tank down to 80 today so I might be allright without it. Still working on plan B though.
Chris