Choosing a chiller!!!

[Mikef1]

I have recently got tired of relying on my fans to keep my tank cool and with 400w bulbs its just not cutting it. I was looking at a 1/3 hp custom sea life drop in at marine depot. I also ran across a couple 1/4 hp chillers on ebay. A CL- 650 and a C-0250. Any good? Any suggestions? Its for a 150 gal. Thanks, Mike

 

[dgasmd]

First of, the drop in chillers are the most inefficient chiller you could buy. I call them "small fan upgrade". A1/4 or een a 1/3 HP unit will be more than plenty. I tend to go with more rather than less in case of future upgrades. Buy a used one and save some money. Oh wait, I currently have one for sale......

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=220350

 

[Len]

I would also recommend you go in-line as opposed to drop-in. Drop in probes are inefficient and harder to properly set up to function effectively.

I've tried CSL, West Coast Aquatics, and Aqualogic chillers. I currently use an Aqualogic Delta inline chiller (1/3hp) for my 120 gallon and I think it's perfect for your 150 gallon as well. I recommend Aqualogic over the other brands I've tried, but to be honest most of them work about the same.

 

[Polyp999]

Just finishing up installation of a CustomSeaLife 1/3HP inline - seems to be a good unit. Was recommended by LFS - they normally do not carry these so was special order. First unit received was a "drop-in" and I would agree - not the best choice. You are restricted to the ( in this case ) 6' "leash" so placement is an issue as is eff. - the store ( after I ordered mine ) ordered additional units for themselves and this shipment was inlines instead of drop-ins. They aggreed to swap units with me as they felt the drop-in would be better in ther store (?) - long story short - I much prefer this solution. Only concerns are leak/salt creep at some of the threaded joints and how to vent the heat dump out of the room - working on those problems ( thinking about them!! for now ).

Running 3 - 400W M/H's& 5 - 96W PCs on an Oceanic 240 - heavy heat load but the clams & SPS seem to love it!! ( so does the power company 8) )

 

[Mikef1]

What chiller do you have for sale.

 

[Jeff_S]

If you want a silent chiller that wont heat up you house, check out this link
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthrea ... ht=chiller

It puts all the noise and heat outside.

Jeff