CHILLER Which one?

+1 to the pumps seeping heat. You don't have a zoomed power head do you?

 

I was hoping to avoid all this speculation about if I should or should not use a chiller by my opening statement. :-X

 

Sorry. I have never owned a chiller

 

I owned a 1/4 HP Seaclear chiller and sold it 3 years ago in favor of fans, it really was not needed even in Phoenix in July and August. My house has a setback thermostat and its warm during the day while we are at work and fans kept my 100G at 79 degrees no problem, it would be even cooler if I didn't have the fans on a controller so they shut off when not needed. That was with a totally enclosed canopy with 2x250w MH and 2x140w VHO fluorescents.

Today I have AI Sol LED's and the fans don't even come on anymore.

Look at your pumps as they may be a large part of your heat problems, there are plenty of very efficient low wattage pumps out there that do not create much heat. I found Mags and Quiet Ones were two of the worst when it comes to heat while Eheim and Ocean Runner were two of the best.

 

Well, no sense is spending a $400-$1,000 if there are other options.

 

I run 4 of the current chillers... all the different sizes. They must be about 5 years old now and I haven't had a problem with them.

 

I would go with a tradewinds chiller. Im guessing a 1/4 hp should be fine. I prefer not to leave my tank parameters to chance. Thus fans are not an option for me. I have a 1/5 hp on a 75 gallon with about 50 gallons of actual water in sump and tank. It has a separate controller which i like because if that should break the entire chiller does not need to be serviced. The model I have is a drop in style which is good cause you dont need another pump to plug in and maintain. Also not leaks in plumbing. It is not the quietest chiller out there but the sound is tolerable for me. I do appreciate quiet. That is personal though. each one of us can handle more or less noise. There is very little vibration on the unit itself which helps with the sound issue. The only noise I hear is the running fan. Over all a good value with cost and longevity and noise being my main concerns.

 

I have a 1/4 hp polar bear chiller that worked great for me.I can ship it if your interested.I upgraded to a 210g so 1/4hp just isn't enough to cut it any more lol

 

HEY Thanks! That's the kind of info I'm looking for ;D

 

I've got quite a few friends with TECO chillers, and I have installed them on numerous ex-client tanks. I have zero complaints and have heard none from the prior client, or my friends.

http://www.tecous.com/