[reefs4life]

So I have a Via Aqua Polar Bear Chiller CC-25 on a 75 gallon fish tank and I'm using a magnum 350 to circulate the water through it. For some reason it doesn't seem to be cooling off the tank enough, I know it's been pretty hot lately but it doesn't seem like the chiller is really keeping up with it. It definitely works because I stopped the flow through it and put it to it's minimum of 41 degrees and I let the water flow into my hand and it wasw pretty cold. Anyone know what could be wrong, I usually keep it set between 77 and 80 but the temp was at a high of 86 today with it on. Any ideas?

[KathyC]

I tried to Google your chiller and came up with few results for it. One challenge with it might be that your tank being 75g is at the high end of the volume of water these chillers are capable of chilling (tanks size suggested for use is 20-75gallons).
Do you also have a sump?..how many gallons?
Are you using a canister filter to circulate the water through it?

[reefs4life]

Yeah I have a 30 gallon sump, I just thought about that now. I didn't really have a problem with it last year though, that's when I first hooked it up. I guess it's because the room was relatively cooler than this year. And yes I have a canister filter, the Magnum 350, to circulate water through it.

[KathyC]

Might just be due to the excessive amount of heat we're having now too.
Have you also tried adding a clip on fan to blow across your tank or floating some bottles of frozen water in your sump..might help get the temp down a little more

[reefs4life]

No I haven't. Thanks for the tips

[reefman]

dont know how many hp your chiller is, but i'm betting it isnt strong enough.

[Tonyscoots84]

u said u didn't have a problem with it last year well I think u said that skimming this thread have u had the freeon or whatever is inside checked out?

[bad coffee]

what is the manufacturer's suggested flow rate? You might not be pushing enough water through the chiller with the magnum.

B

[reefs4life]

reefman- It's 1/5 hp chiller and you're most likely right. I'm going to see if I can sell it or trade it for something stronger.

Tonyscoots84- yes I did say i didn't have a problem last year but I also said that the room was cooler last year because I had an AC too and I don't have one this year. The chiller works fine I made it cool a smaller amount of water to 41 degrees and it worked.

bad coffee- manufacturer recommended flow rate is 100-400gph

[Tim]

A 1/4 hp should be strong enough for your tank. I looked at a few other 1/4 hp and there flow through rates are much higher. Artica:480 min./1920max Prime:300min/600max Pacific Coast:750min/1000max and JBJ They gave 8 gpm or 480.Hope this helps. Also try putting a fan blowing on the chiller to help disapate (sp) the heat.