Chiller Info

[Marsey]

I couldn't really find this info by searching so would anyone mind offering some tips on using a chiller, where to get one, approx. price range and such? Our house can get to 85-90 degrees when we aren't home for a couple days - do you think that fans (either over the sump or under the hood) could deal with that heat? Last summer I resorted to putting ice in a zip lock in the sump but it didn't work all that well. Anyhow- any suggestions and info would be very appreciated! Thanks, Marsey :eek3:

[scubadude]

Hi Marsey

I highly recommend getting an "In-Line" chiller versus a "Drop-In" chiller. In Line chillers are much more effecient. If the inside of the house is getting that warm while you arent home then I would do one of two things

1. Keep the house A/C on while you are gone, this may be cheaper than getting a chiller?!?

2. Get a chiller, but definately use some fans for evaporative cooling, which goes to the next issue - Auto topoff while your gone

I have a 220g tank and 55g refug. and I have a 1/2hp CSL chiller with controller, I also opted to get the 220v which probably saves me $$ in electricity. Oh yeah I bought my chiller for $1100 from Premium Aquatics

[Reefland]

You might want to give evaporative cooling a try before spending the $$ on a chiller; although it may be necessary to get one.

I would try it while you are around to see if it will work for you. Place a couple of small fans blowing across the surface in your sump. Obviously as scubadude mentioned, top off will then becoe an issue but if it keeps it cool, an auto top off system will be much cheaper than a chiller.

Good luck,
Scott Z.

[Marsey]

Thank you for the info and advice. I would gladly leave the house a/c on if we had it- we only have a "swamp cooler" which doesn't have a thermostat. Top off isn't really a problem- the person that comes to feed them can top the tank off too- I just don't know if I can get her to come over twice a day to run the swamp cooler too. I did by a clip on fan today. The lid is propped open and the fan is blowing across the top but it doesn't seem to be a really strong current. We'll see what that does for the situation. Again, thanks and I'll keep you posted. --Marsey

[scubadude]

Originally posted by Marsey
I just don't know if I can get her to come over twice a day to run the swamp cooler too.

how bout putting the swamp cooler on a timer or a thermostat? this would only cost $6-$30

[Reinhold]

When I had a fish-only tank, I battled a hot spell where my tank temp went up to 90 over 4 days in an un-airconditioned room.

I came home from work one night, and $1000 in fish were dead.

It might be a whole lot cheaper and more comfortable for the corals and you to put an AC unit in your tank room. You'd otherwise have to isolate the chiller compressor unit, which can put out a lot of heat.

For $300-400, you could cool part of your house and the tank too.

[Iron Crab]

I just went thru this problem. I considered a chiller but my wife had a better idea("the fish WILL NOT get A/C before I do!" ).
Three weeks ago I had central air put in. My tank is now holding a steady 78 degrees. My tank is happy and the wife is happy.

Next month I'm putting in another water well. This way I'll have unlimited water for my RO unit.
The wife thinks we need the extra water for a hot tub

[mrok12]

I run 8 fans in the hood of my 120 now. 6 blow longways and two blow front to back. I also keep the air on. We have two reefs and a freshwater planted tank so running the air is cheaper than 3 chillers (LOL) My wife keeps Her "cool" about it.


MROK12

[Reefland]

I guess what everyone is saying is chillers aren't necessarily the way to go; there are alternatives. Chillers are costly up front and costly to run, a window a/c unit would probably cost less.

Scott Z.

[Marsey]

Thanks everyone! Scubadude- I wasn't even sure that a thermostat for swamp coolers existed! That's definitly a great option. I'm going down to Lowes today to see if they have them. Home Depot said they weren't carrying them this year. I did look at some room coolers and I think they might also work well- like you all said, why not cool down the house and enjoy it ourselves?
I appreciate all the quick feedback from you all. We're going out of town this weekend and it's the first string of 100+ degree days we're expecting this summer. With a little preparation, I think everything will be alright.
Again, thank you...
Marsey

[Reefland]

Have fun out of town, Marsey! Make sure to stop by and let us all know how your tank faired through the heat. Hopefully you will find the thermostat Rocky mentioned and will have no problems.

Regards,
Scott Z.