New Climate and Chillers

[USAF427]

Hey all,

Another question for you...
So again I am moving down in July from the Frozen Expanses (Cleveland) and am in the process of planning my new aquarium, my question is, how many of you guys run a chiller? I've never had to run one before, but I know it will be hot in Nashville, especially in July. I typically have to run a heater all year to keep my aquarium stable. I dont know what set up I will be using (lighting, pumps, etc) I am just trying to plan my budget, and need to know if I will be buying a chiller or not.
Thanks

[NeveSSL]

I personally don't, but that's because I have a small tank with only 150w MH above it. There have been times that I wanted to, though, for sure, and I know there are many people in the club who have to. Most of them have 2 - 250w MHs for lighting. Personally I'd think you could just about plan on having to use a chiller if you're using MH lighting.

Brandon

[orthokardia]

you could do like we do and keep the house 68 year around:) cost a bit more in the summer, but with good insulation it is not that bad. I run 3x400w MHs with no skimmer

-bart

[NeveSSL]

Did you mean to put "I run 3x400w MHs with no chiller", Bart?

:D

Brandon

[orthokardia]

taking donations for more coffee. it is apparently needed:)

[NeedBiggerTank]

I don't run a chiller either - but do keep a cieling fan near the tank running and angle the air vent toward the top of my tank. I am only using T5s though. My tank runs 1 degree warmmer in summer.

[USAF427]

It's good to hear, being the expense in buying a chiller. does anyone have recommendations on "inexpensive" chillers (I know, I know inexpensive is an oxymoron with chillers)

[NeveSSL]

Just like almost everything except corals in reefing, I think going used would be your best bet.

What kind of lights are you thinking about using? I never needed a chiller when I ran T5HOs, much like Jennie. Or you can live in a refrigerator like Bart. :D I can't say too much, we keep our apartment at 65 to 68 in the winter... can't afford to in the summer, though!

Brandon

[orthokardia]

if you need a chiller then shoot me a pm.

[Pickupman66]

I do run a chiller in the summer with three 250's in my 180 and a garage sump. I have a 1/4hp that is undersized. I need to recharge the refrigerant in it this spring. I keep the tank at 80 in the summer and 78 in the winter.

Please excuse my brevity. This was sent from my Android via Tapatalk

[poolkeeper1]

I ran my 185 w/100gal sump and 3x250W MH with no Chiller ever and that tank ran at 78-80 in the middle of the summer. The best way is Fans blowing across the water surface where you can and that worked for me. It had a lot of evaporation but water is cheaper that Power down here, Buy a little any way!
Orthokardia is setting that exact tank up right now FYI
Bill

[Pickupman66]

Good point bill. I plan to add a fan this spring. I have a really nice squirrel cage one ready to go

Please excuse my brevity. This was sent from my Android via Tapatalk

[fishdoc11]

It depends, smaller open top tank with maybe only one halide maybe not...larger closed top tank with 2 or more halides, definately...assuming you run you air like most do that is (72 F).

[Pickupman66]

guess im cheap. our air is 75 at the lowest and in the winter, it is 66

[poolkeeper1]

I kept mine at 74 degrees and it was fine like that, But i had the 100 gal rubbermaid sump that IMO helped keep it stable at those numbers.
Bill

[USAF427]

What I'm thinking is a 50-70g tank, and for the first time I'm going to put a canopy on a tank (make it look a little neater). I will probably use a 4-6 bulb T-5 setup, and I'm just worried about the extra heat from having a canopy and hindering evaporation cooling. again, this is all preliminary planning... I still need to sell all my stuff in Cleveland, get married, move to TN... but I figured I could buy/swap for a chiller here with some of the things I am selling off and it wouldn't be a huge pain to move... unlike a tank :spin3:

[poolkeeper1]

What I'm thinking is a 50-70g tank, and for the first time I'm going to put a canopy on a tank (make it look a little neater). I will probably use a 4-6 bulb T-5 setup, and I'm just worried about the extra heat from having a canopy and hindering evaporation cooling. again, this is all preliminary planning... I still need to sell all my stuff in Cleveland, get married, move to TN... but I figured I could buy/swap for a chiller here with some of the things I am selling off and it wouldn't be a huge pain to move... unlike a tank :spin3:

For my money the less power you use on a tank the better, A few 12V fans verses a Chiller is a big Power Factor you can avoid if the tank is designed correctly JMO
Bill

[Pickupman66]

On my old 75 I just used 4 CPU fans and it kept it well with 440watts VHO lights

Please excuse my brevity. This was sent from my Android via Tapatalk

[USAF427]

all good points. I think the fans are a better, and more cost effective plan for both start up and running costs, A chiller would be a 'new toy' to play with, but then again, the whole tank will be too