IN-LINE or Drop in Chiller that is the question

[eboonaman]

anyone know the pro's and con of a drop in chiller compared to a inline one.
I know the drop in doesn't require plumbing, but I am more interested in knowing if the drop in is just as good as a in line?

thanks in advance
chuck

[cb747]

Having used both i find the inline much better. I do believe there more efficient too!

[bigsink]

Hello Chuck, I have been pondering the same question the last few days. I am resigned to the fact that I must add one ASAP. If you come to a decision or anything, please let me know. I have received feedback that the inline are much better. All I need is to re-do my plumbing again. BTW, the pink zoos I got from you back in May are doing great and are GORGEOUS!

[qy7400]

Drop ins need to be close by so the heat coming off the chiller is getting added to the room or under the tank making it work a little more; on the plus side they are a little smaller.

In-lines are bigger but you can place anywhere you run the plumbing to, for me this is the garage.

[fishamajiggle]

I would imagine an inline has more surface contact with the water therefore making more heat transfer. I would think this would cause the compressor to be working less frequently causing the inline to be more effective and more energy efficient. who wants to pay lipa a cent more than you have to.

[billsreef]

If the only question is which is more efficient, go with the inline. The drop in is only good for those situations where playing plumber is not an option.

[JB NY]

I've used both. I don't think that one is more efficient that then other. The only difference is that with a drop in you put the coil in the sump and the chiller can only be located a few feet from the tank. An inline can be put anyplace. A couple feet, another floor, even outside.

If you are trying to keep the heat from the chiller out of the tank room, you want an inline.

But a drop in will cool the tank just as well as the in-line. I had my inline break down and the manufacturer shipped me a drop in the use while they fixed the inline. Both cooled the tank exactly the same.

[eboonaman]

thanks everyone,
I currently have inline (pacific cost) but It crapped out on me. one thing I don't understand and maybe the cause of the problem. in my sump /refugium I have two pumps as a return, one goes through the chiller the other goes right back to the tank. ( I have A 120 RR AGA with dual mega overflows i think they are rated at about 1000gph depending on return pump)maybe this was the cause of the failure since ALL the return water DID NOT go through the chiller.
the return through the chiller is rated max 800 gph and min 450gph I'm pushing at least 850+ using a quite one 4000 pump.
si I was thinking that maybe by just using a drop in both pumps would be returning cool water thus causing less stress on the chiller?

so little time and so much $$$$ to learn... :-)
.....

bigsink...
I'm glad you love the zoos... I was worried that you thought I screwed you and I left you with a bad impression .

chuck