Chiller = Decreased Water Flow!

Hey gang--

Just got my new coralife 1/6 hp chiller for my 72 gallon water FOWLR.

While the temp is now holding steady at 78 degrees with or without lights on... the water flow into the tank and drip tray as been greatly reduced. I called the company and they said, "that typically happens with all chillers."

Is that really the case?? I do have 4 MJ 1200 powerheads on a wave runner controller, and the customer service rep with coralife says there is plenty of water movement based on some formula he did. Is he right? Can I increase the water flow some other way?

Thanks!
Ryan

PS I have a yellow tang, flame angel, yellow head goby, 2 clowns

 

What size pump is feeding the chiller??? Adding extra pipe or tube length to the return will add head pressure.

 

What is a drip tray ? Do you mean the evaporater coill or the heat exchanger ? both are One in the same just some places say it one way and then the others cal it the latter . Where is the unit set up at ?

 

Im guessing a drip tray would be something he has in his sump for the water to flow on to from his overflow, then disperse evenly over filter media?

If you need to increase flow on your return, you can buy a bigger return pump if your current on is already maxed out. If you have a ball/gate valve inline between your return pump and tank, you can open it up more.

What do you have for a return pump?

 

I'm currently drying off my hand from upsizing my pump for the same reason. Went from a Rio 180 to a 600 to recover what was lost from the installation of the chiller. Kind of a Chicken and Egg thing isn't it? You install a chiller, lose flow, up-size the pump and additional heat, now you have to run the chiller to offset the additional heat from the larger pump. Can't win...