Heat?
- Thread starter Killerdrgn
- Start date
A 1/4 hp is great for a 120.
I hear ya on the heat..I used to keep the window open in my office in the winter to keep the tanks cool enough since the MH's put out way too much heat.
I used to run a chiller but with 3 tanks in my office last year I switched to an in-room A/C unit (9500 btu's) that exhausts out through thw window and it was nice & cool in here for me & the tanks. I'd run it at 72 during the day and 7 or 75 at night...yeah 24/7. I hate heat!
- Location
- Flushing NY 11355
Yes! If you are using PC fans, thermistors and a power transistor circuit. If you are using home fans, you need thermistor and power relay circuit.
I wasn't planning on buying a chiller in April LOL
::edit freudian slip::
In terms of triage, the return pump is one of the last things I'd shut off, after the lights; circulation's vital for oxygen transport, particularly when the temp rises and the solubility of O2 in water falls. The skimmer would be among the first things I'd shut off, as it's utterly non-vital.
Killerdrgn
Advanced Reefer
- Location
- Park Ridge, NJ
I've never had this problem before, I've always had the tanks in the basement. Plus I didn't really expect the temperature in my apartment to go up to 95 degrees when it was only 85 outside.
Killergrgn,
Sorry for your loss. On my setup, I have multiple heaters, chiller and dual controller. When I got home, I too was surprised my chiller was on. I assume it was the first time for the season.
Even though chillers are expensive on the fuel bill, I do appreciate I don't have to futz with turning heaters on and off and not worrying because the chiller kicked in.
Good luck on your tank.
- Location
- Hudson Yards
Any idea what it costs roughly per month to run your chiller? What size is it? I'm seriously considering it for my next piece of equipment. I've already lost some sensitive acros to heat this year. I'm just not used to the temperature rythm of this new apartment I moved into last fall.
As it is running the room AC all day while I'm at work is already pushing my electric bill to nearly $170 per month. And it's not even May yet. I live alone in a 1 bedroom and I'm pretty sure the cat's aren't leaving the lights on when I'm not home. :catsmiley
Cybermeez,
I don't have a figure, however, I was told that a chiller probably costs to run about the same price as a small room A/C of around 5000 BTUs. So the concept is that some people find it is better for their own comfort to run the A/C on in the room and enjoy it, rather than just pay for the chiller use.
For me, this is not the case. My home office when not in use in the summer can get to 90 degrees. It is a large office and it is definitely cheaper to run the chiller on my reef tank. Because I don't have to A/C the whole room.
You will find that some people have tried fans with success. I understand that when using fans, the concept is it's the evaporation that aids in the cooling process, so an ATO would be very useful along with a controller to turn the fans off (as with a chiller), when it is not needed.
When I did go the fan route, I quickly tired of manually monitoring the tank, and it was a blessing to have a dual controller that monitors heat and chiller, so it's set and forget.
To obtain the correct size chiller, contact a vendor. They should be able to give you the size based on your tank size and how much degrees to lower it. So like with other reef equipment, you will probably up-size the chiller HP.
PS. You can get very good used equipment on MR and LIRA, or you can purchase this equipment new. If you ever get the chance to take apart a chiller, you can see that they look very simple to operate. I bought mine 3 years ago from a garage sale and it has worked like a charm.
Hope this helps.
Last edited:
- Location
- Hudson Yards
Thanks!
- Location
- Wallingford, CT
For an example, I use a Pacific Coast CL-650 (1/4 hp) on my 120g that has 500w of halide, 220w of VHO, closed loop Dart, PX-40 return, Mag2 for reactors, dual Eheim 1260s on skimmer (so figure the pumps generates a decent amount of heat, probably 6+ degrees). It takes on average 30-40 minutes to bring down a 2 degree temp on this setup so if I had to replace the chiller, I would bump up to a 1/3 hp chiller.
- Location
- Montclair, NJ
I use a Pacific Coast CL-280 on my 120 with similar lighting and filtration specs. The only difference is my ambient room temp is 70-75 degrees so it keeps the tank at 78 without a problem 
I run the window a/c about 22 hours a day to keep the tank happy in the summer. Besides the elec bill, the only side effect is nice 68 degrees throughout almost entire appartment. It's a green star rated unit so it goes on and off as needed.
I was thinking to get a dedicated chiller but the whole idea of heating up the room to chill the tank makes me wanna barf.
I was thinking to get a dedicated chiller but the whole idea of heating up the room to chill the tank makes me wanna barf.
no everyone should wait for the heatwave and then try and save what is left...
I totaly understand, that's what these boards are for after all.
Sponsor Reefs
We're a FREE website, and we exist because of hobbyists like YOU who help us run this community.
Click here to sponsor $10:
