Looking to buy a chiller

[James]

I am looking to buy a chiller for my 50gal reef tank. My water temp. is between 78* and 82*(the problem with living in southern Cal.) I want one that runs very quiet. (important because my tank is in the bedroom).
I've been looking at Arctica chillers, they claim to be one of the more quiet models.
I have also been told to buy the biggest one I can afford because (the bigger the chiller, the less run time, less noise, most energy effient....) is this true????
If you guys know of any better models, or where I might get a good buy on one, please let me know.
My dealer here in town has the Arctica DBA-075 1/10hp
4gpm for $460.00. He says he has it running on a 120gal reef tank and it does fine.
Someday I would like to buy a bigger tank 100/120gal. This I guess would also be a big factor.

[captivereefs]

For a 50 a 1/10 chiller seems like it would be kinda small. If you plan to upgrade i would look at buying at least a 1/6 hp chiller. Aqua medic makes a very nice one; very quiet and it has a built in digital controller and thermometer. If you are thinking about a bigger tank chances are that you will eventually do it; why not buy bigger now! I can't tell you were to buy it but I have my preference!

[myreef]

All chillers are noisy to an extent....keep in mind if you put a chiller in your stand you are fighting the heat generated by the chiller also. I would not buy anything less than a 1/6 HP....I have owned several different chillers and currently run two different brands....CSL and Pacific Coast Imports...I like the PCI because of the built in temp probe and digital readout on the unit body itself....

[Force spike]

the way i cool my water is just get some water out of ur tank and freeze it in the freezer then u get the ice cube and place it in the plastic bag.( i use the one i got from the fish shop) and i just drop it in the water. and the tempture drop hell fast. but don;t take my advice iam just got my tank.

[birman]

i'm using the 1/4 HP arctica chiller for my 55 gallons. it's pretty cool. Quite quiet but i don't think it's quiet enough for your bedroom though. Even the thermoelectric one which are extremely quiet will produce fan sound which can be quite significant in the quiet night.
Well, for efficiency, this chiller works pretty well. My ambient here is about 82F and it managed to cool my tank for the first time to 77F in around an hour. Subsequently, it runs for about 30min every 2-3 hrs interval. In my opinion, it's pretty efficient. My Azoo thermoelectric wasn't able to cool it below 80F at all.
I think the 1/10 model is a thermoelectric one.... if you are seriously into getting a good chiller, i suggest going for at least the 1/5HP one or get the 1/4HP for future upgradability for larger tank.
Hope this helps.

[RWD]

I have been using an Artica 1/2 hp chiller for a few months now and like it a lot. It's more quiet then most chillersIMO but not at all silent. I have my tank in the family room about 10' from the tv and it is a bit distracting. I'm just glad it doesn't run too much. Arctica chillers are nice because they have a digital temp control built in and are about the most efficient chiller out there.
Bob

[birman]

I have been using an Artica 1/2 hp chiller for a few months now and like it a lot. It's more quiet then most chillersIMO but not at all silent. I have my tank in the family room about 10' from the tv and it is a bit distracting. I'm just glad it doesn't run too much. Arctica chillers are nice because they have a digital temp control built in and are about the most efficient chiller out there.
Bob

Hi, RWD. 1/2HP chiller, are you referring to the commercial chiller? As I understood the aquarium chiller range is only until 1/3HP. May I know how large is your tank to utilise such large chiller? Just curious .

[RWD]

Oops I meant 1/3 hp Sorry. I have a 300 gal reef. Tank temps before the chiller were 80 to 87 degrees. Now I keep it at 78.

[birman]

Oops I meant 1/3 hp Sorry. I have a 300 gal reef. Tank temps before the chiller were 80 to 87 degrees. Now I keep it at 78.

Great to hear that the chiller is working so well for a 300gal tank .

I've recently found that the this chiller is actually from Korea, marketed as another brand but totally look alike and.... much cheaper.

Anyway, happy with the product, that's the most important....

[o2manyfish]

I have a used 1/6 hp Aquanetics with a Ranco Controller. 350+ Shipping.

Dave B

[ldrhawke]

From the sizing stand point bigger is better with a chiller, as some have pointed out. The higher the capacity of the chiller the more rapidly it brings the water temperture back down. This means it may be only running a very short period of time, so over all noise is reduced. In addition, even though it removes the same amount of heat and may heat up the cabinet it is in, the heat has a chance to dissipate from the cabinet in between on periods and the average heat in the cabinet is reduced, thus the overall heat transfer back into the system is reduced. With a chiller bigger is better.