Chiller Installation

[nyc reefer]

I have a question: can I run the return pump from the sump to the chillers intake and the output from the chiller to the tank's return plumbing. Or does it need a dedicated recirculating pump?

72ga Bow w/20gs sump
Ehiem 1262 return pump
JBJ 1/4 chiller


Thanks

 

[lfsmarineguy]

How hot does the tank get?

 

[Jim]

I'm running mine the way you suggested.

 

[KathyC]

All chillers have an ideal flow rate at which they work more efficiently, so you need to be sure that the rate at which you are feeding the chiller falls into that range.

 

[nyc reefer]

Chiller Setup

Temps run around 80-81.5, I have a vented canopy (no fans) and run AI Sols approximately 8" from water surface, 2 MP10's about half power.

 

[KathyC]

Temps run around 80-81.5, I have a vented canopy (no fans) and run AI Sols approximately 8" from water surface, 2 MP10's about half power.

It would be far less costly to you to add fans to your canopy or a clip on fan that would blow across the surface of your sump than to run that chiller for the small temperature difference that you need.

 

[1329eheim]

To answer the OP's question, yes.

 

[Reef Fixations]

Most chillers result in a 6ft head loss (you'd have to check with JBJ for the exact loss).
Most tanks have about a 4ft head loss from the return pump upto the return in the tank.
On top of that elbows, bends, kinks in hoses and what not add to head loss.

If your chiller has a 6ft head loss equivalent and your return is 4ft up from your pump then with no other restrictions you're at 10ft.

Your pump is good for 900gph without any head loss and at 10ft according to the chart you're only at about 350-400gph. JBJ's site says that it needs a minimum of 240gph so yes you can do it but your flow will suffer substantially because you'll be losing about 400gph to the chiller being used inline so all you have to do is add a powerhead in your DT to compensate.

 

[Reef Fixations]

nope... I read the wrong chiller specs.

http://www.jbjlighting.com/pdfs/AquariumSeriesManual.pdf

Minimum flow has to be 480gph if you look at the pdf.

...and typically the lower flows are used for large tanks and the higher flows are used for small tanks.

Water moves too fast = chiller doesn't have enough time with the water to cool it down

Water moves too slow = compressor damage can happen from freezing and/or the tank won't cool down because of other safeties that JBJ has in their wiring.

But check with JBJ first to ask them what the head loss is as water passes thru your chiller to really know for sure.