help with chiller selection

[Mikef1]

I just started my new 90 gal reef. I set the tank up filled it with ro/di water added salt and 90lb of live sand. I have a 27 gal sump which I built. I just finished my canopy and installed my 2 400w 20k radiums with spider reflectors. I havnt installed my canopy fans yet but I have two clip on fans over my sump. I am planning on having 2 4 inch fans on each end of the canopy 2 blowing the air in and the other 2 pulling the hot air out. I was just curious to turn them on and see how high the temp would go in an hour.It started at 76.a and in an hour wsat 77.7. I am hoping the fans in the canopy help a lot, but if not I am willing to buy a chiller. I saw a aqua via 1/4 hp on ebay for 300. I havnt heard of them and was wondering if they were any good. It is a inline. I was leaning more towards a 1/5hp csl inline. What do you all think? Thanks, Mike

 

[sean2sean]

im not sure about those chillers that you listed. but i can recommend this one...

jbj arctica... i bought the 1/4th one. you should get a 1/4th in case. who knows if next summer would be hotter... or if you plan to upgrade your lights.

ask around... somebody should know.

 

[Mikef1]

Sean, how much did that 1/4 hp run you ?

 

[Mikef1]

I did a test today and ran my 2 400w radiums for 2 hours. I put two fans in the canopy, one pushing in air and the other sucking it out. I also had my 2 sump fans on. The temp started at 76.1F and after two hours had increased to 79F. I think the only answer is a chiller. Let me know if you guys have any suggestions. Thanks, Mike

 

[Emperator]

if your canopy is open backed, have all the fans pushing in. it will work wonders.

i have seen the jbj arctica chillers in action. they are solidly built and are quiet to boot. for your tank, i would personally get a 1/3hp. this will allow for quicker cooling and will allow for tank upgrades in the future.

 

[sean2sean]

the 1/4 costed me 639 shipped on ebay.