Temperature Stabilization using chiller and heater

nycman · 10/23/2018, 07:15 PM

My tank has been up 18 months. For all of that time I have only used a jbj chiller, not any heaters. the jbj is not very precise in terms of temperature regulation and I would see a cycle of 2F degrees of fluctuation around a 77F mean continuously. Not a problem from what I have experienced and observed. The cycles would run 3 to 5 hours each. However, now that temps have cooled, the tank dropped below 75F and the chiller shut off (as programmed on my apex). yesterday I added a heater to shut off at 77F. Since then my temp has stabilized at 77F with 0.4F variation, at most. So is this how you eliminate the fluctuations? Just add a heater on a temp controller (like apex)?

mcgyvr · 10/23/2018, 08:11 PM

Is this a trick question?

Yes...to maintain stable temperatures you need heat source so it doesnt get too cold and a chiller so it doesnt get too hot.
However its also less efficient as those devices are working against each other at times...
Quite often in fact it would seem in your case..

tkeracer619 · 10/23/2018, 11:33 PM

Yes but why do you want the temp that tight? I'd have the heater set to come on under 76 and the chiller to come on above 80.

nycman · 10/24/2018, 07:54 PM

Makes sense to separate the temps a bit to allow more fluctuation, and not so narrow as to have the chiller and heater working against each other. Thanks.

Vinny Kreyling · 10/25/2018, 11:07 AM

My old chiller had a 4 degree swing between on & off.
My apex brought it closer to about 2 degrees.

ca1ore · 10/27/2018, 10:17 AM

Seems like a massive waste of power having a chiller and heater juggle each other. Bit of temp variation is entirely benign.

10/23/2018, 07:15 PM	#1
nycman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: New York City Posts: 199	Temperature Stabilization using chiller and heater My tank has been up 18 months. For all of that time I have only used a jbj chiller, not any heaters. the jbj is not very precise in terms of temperature regulation and I would see a cycle of 2F degrees of fluctuation around a 77F mean continuously. Not a problem from what I have experienced and observed. The cycles would run 3 to 5 hours each. However, now that temps have cooled, the tank dropped below 75F and the chiller shut off (as programmed on my apex). yesterday I added a heater to shut off at 77F. Since then my temp has stabilized at 77F with 0.4F variation, at most. So is this how you eliminate the fluctuations? Just add a heater on a temp controller (like apex)? __________________ 72x26x24 Miracles rimless with ReefSavvy ghost overflow 4xMitras LX7206 / Lifereef sump, skimmer and fuge 302 Aquatics algae scrubber / JBJ 1/3 HP Chiller Aqua UV 28W

10/23/2018, 08:11 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Is this a trick question? Yes...to maintain stable temperatures you need heat source so it doesnt get too cold and a chiller so it doesnt get too hot. However its also less efficient as those devices are working against each other at times... Quite often in fact it would seem in your case.. __________________ Who me?

10/23/2018, 11:33 PM	#3
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Yes but why do you want the temp that tight? I'd have the heater set to come on under 76 and the chiller to come on above 80. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

10/24/2018, 07:54 PM	#4
nycman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: New York City Posts: 199	Makes sense to separate the temps a bit to allow more fluctuation, and not so narrow as to have the chiller and heater working against each other. Thanks. __________________ 72x26x24 Miracles rimless with ReefSavvy ghost overflow 4xMitras LX7206 / Lifereef sump, skimmer and fuge 302 Aquatics algae scrubber / JBJ 1/3 HP Chiller Aqua UV 28W

10/25/2018, 11:07 AM	#5
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	My old chiller had a 4 degree swing between on & off. My apex brought it closer to about 2 degrees. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

10/27/2018, 10:17 AM	#6
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Seems like a massive waste of power having a chiller and heater juggle each other. Bit of temp variation is entirely benign. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs