Chiller Installation Question

[tjw00]

Hey everyone,

I have a question that I hope you guys could give me your opinions on. I have a 30 gal FOWLR tank with an Eheim 2215 canister filter. In the summer it gets really hot in my apt. , so I just got a Current-USA Prime 1/10th chiller. My question is the best way to install the chiller plumbing awhile keeping the Eheim filter. I know the eheim does not have nearly the flow rate to satisfy the chiller minimum (the eheum is 160gph and the min. on the chiller is 420.), so can I get a Mag pump and run it inline through the Eheim canister and the chiller? Or should i just get rid of the eheim? ( my water quality is very good and the live rock I have is plentiful with just 2 fish in the tank now)

Thanks in advance for your help!

TJW

 

[House of Laughter]

I would look to get a sump and get rid of the eheim and plumb it direct.

House

 

[drunktank]

have you tried placing a fan near or around the tank to cool it down. How hot it is actually running?

 

[tjw00]

have you tried placing a fan near or around the tank to cool it down. How hot it is actually running?

Thanks for the reply. Yes, last summer used a fan on it quite a bit. It does the job if I keep an eye on it, but I am going to be away on vacation overseas for over a month this summer and I have a friend watching the tank and wanted to minimize the risk of any problems. Running the room AC kept things cool, but cost me a fortune last year. I want to try the chiller and see how it does. I run the tank at 82 degrees but in the summer my apt. can push the tank temp up to 90, and that's with a fan on it.

 

[tjw00]

I would look to get a sump and get rid of the eheim and plumb it direct.

House

Ok, thanks for the reply. Never had a sump. ( i just started SW last year) but I've been wanting to set one up. On a 30 gal tank how big should the sump be? If I put the chiller inline with no filtration, is there any risk to the chiller long term getting clogged?

 

[drunktank]

well you can try a few more things.... run your tanks heater at a lower temp so that natural air temp will heat it up to 78-80 (ideal tank temp) A chiller is gonna be a drain on electricity too but you'll have to plumb it into the system, the canister filter (which you should remove anymore) isn't powerful enough.


on edit: Your sump should be as big as you can fit under your stand. By adding a refugium u'll be aiding in filtertation. Also you need a protein skimmer under there too.

 

[Irisservice]

install the chiller on its external pump and your all set, it will be like a closed loop...about todo that on my 25 gallon nano...

 

[tjw00]

well you can try a few more things.... run your tanks heater at a lower temp so that natural air temp will heat it up to 78-80 (ideal tank temp) A chiller is gonna be a drain on electricity too but you'll have to plumb it into the system, the canister filter (which you should remove anymore) isn't powerful enough.


on edit: Your sump should be as big as you can fit under your stand. By adding a refugium u'll be aiding in filtertation. Also you need a protein skimmer under there too.

Thanks! I apologize for not having my tank info on my profile. I'll try to do that asap. I have a BakPak 2 skimmer on the tank already, but certainly would like to swap that out to a new one if I put in a refugium. Only thing i worry about on the refugium is flooding. I'd hate to come back from my vacation to find my tank water all over the floor. I've always been hesitant about a refugium in my small apt. for this reason. I guess it is an unreasonable fear.

 

[tjw00]

install the chiller on its external pump and your all set, it will be like a closed loop...about todo that on my 25 gallon nano...

Yup, the only thing on that is the extra plumbing (assuming I don't install a refugium). In my 30 gal. I already have what looks like too much tubing. trying to avoid another loop.

 

[Tim]

For a 30 gal you can use a 10gal tank for a sump and run your return through the chiller.I assume your tank is not drilled for a drain and return. If it is not you will also need to get an overflow box for the water do drain into the sump.

 

[tjw00]

For a 30 gal you can use a 10gal tank for a sump and run your return through the chiller.I assume your tank is not drilled for a drain and return. If it is not you will also need to get an overflow box for the water do drain into the sump.

Thanks for the advice. Turns out this is what I did. I got a CPR CS90 overflow box and a 10 gallon sump. I got a Mag 5 submerged in the sump going through the chiller and the flow is pretty good. I don't think I need any powerheads anymore with that much water moving. Still waiting for the Aqua Lifter pump to arrive for the siphon on the overflow. Right now i'm using my Rio 400 ( which was on the protein skimmer) submerged in the sump.

Not exactly the best setup, but definitely will keep things cool and temp stable through the summer. Not sure if I should put anything in the sump such as live rock or plants. I have no idea what should go in there but i assume nothing since i have no lights on it yet. Should I put a light in there and add plants?

Thanks for the help.

 

[PalmTree]

Hey. Welcome to MR. Adding a fuge is comepletly up to you. Some people love them and some hate them. I've never had one so I can't really say but there are pros and cons on both ends. Good luck with which ever you choose!