Chiller pump question

[rfny75]

Hi,

I currently have an Oceanic 1/4 chiller hooked in line with my mag 7 return pump, which reduced the pump flow significantly. I'm thinking of getting a seperate pump for the chiller.

Here's the question:
Is there a way to have the pump start when the chiller kicks in, so the pump is not running 24/7, especially when it's winter time and the chiller doesn't come on that often?

Thanks!

 

[rfny75]

:bump:

 

[boardryder]

That's a tough one. Anything is possible though. The best I could think of is getting a controller and hooking both the pump and chiller to the same relay.

Like so.......
You would have the controller controlling the temperature by turning on the circuit of the heater when the temperature drops below x degrees likewise turning on the circuit of the chiller and pump when the temperature rises above y degrees.

Never done, seen, or heard of this, but it sounds possible and fairly easy with a reefkeeper. Now getting the chiller and controller programmed together so that the chiller actually chills when turned on could be the tricky part.

 

[pecan2phat]

Hooking up a pump on the same circuit with a controller that controls your chiller has been done for a while. As broadryer stated, you need to utilize an external controller such as a Ranco, AquaLogic, Reefkeeper, Aqua Controller etc.

Only advice I would give you is to utilize a good pump such as an Eheim for submersibles or an Iwaki for external. Reason being is that if you use an old Mag or Quiet One which we all have heard or experienced where they do not always restart, then you would probably damage your chiller because the controller temp probe would tell the chiller to turn on but you have no water flow through the chiller.

With this type of setup, you will also notice micro bubbles in the display every time your pump/chiller kicks in.

 

[rfny75]

Ok, thanks guys for the info