Which Chiller?

[Albion]

I am a new RSM owner and have the tank up and running. I have had trouble keeping the temperature down and was hoping someone could recommend a solution. I have the fan running and keep the front of the hood open. Does anyone use a chiller on the RSM? Any particular model/brand? Thanks

[Steven Pro]

What temperature is the tank maintaining and what is your target temperature? This decides how big of a chiller you require.

[Albion]

The problem is really one of consistency. During the day the temp can get as high as 81.5 or so and at night the temp may fall to 78. I'd like to keep it on the lower end, somewhere around 78-79. To keep consistency, I have to raise the temp on the heater so it doesn't fall at night - which means I basically keep it at a steady 81.5 - which seems a bit high for me.

Thanks for the help.

[Steven Pro]

Actually, I would not worry about it. Fluctuation in temperature is completely natural. It is something that Dr. Shimek has written and spoken about at length. It is only older hobbyist literature that emphasized stability of temperature.

[P.Kelly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13905492#post13905492 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Steven Pro
Actually, I would not worry about it. Fluctuation in temperature is completely natural. It is something that Dr. Shimek has written and spoken about at length. It is only older hobbyist literature that emphasized stability of temperature.

That's a bit over simplified, but the range of fluctuation you have isn't too bad. Most of us like to keep it under 80 if possible, but 81.5 isn't the end of the world.

[Steven Pro]

I generally don't worry (or take action) until things hit 84*F.

[AndyT NZ]

I'm in New Zealand with summer approaching and some hot dry days out on the Canterbury Plains......which lead to wild temperature swings in my RSM with water temps getting dangerously close to the critical 30 degrees C between 3pm and 8pm .....and thats with Red Sea fan installed, front lid open + large floor standing fan blasting away from a short distance. It was the unpredictability of the swings and the fact that I often caught the tail end of a problem when I got home from work which persuaded me to get a chiller.....a Hailea 150A. It was dead easy to plumb into the sytem but you will need an additional pump....I bought an Eheim Compact. The chiller sits in the cabinet but does get warm....see my other posting on this issue. Now the system runs at a pretty steady 27 degrees C 24/7.