Do I need a chiller?

We leave many weekends during the summer and the temp in the house is turned up to about 78-80 degrees. Would it make a difference if we left for a week-10 days on spring break? It's a 75 gallon tank and I live in northwest Indiana. Will i need a chiller to keep the tank at the right temp? Thanks!

 

There are many variables. First, how hot is it in Indiana during spring break. How hot will the room get. Second, how much heat are you adding to the water with power heads and other filter motors, and lights. If it gets hot and you are worried because your temps are borderline to begin with, a chiller might be your answer. Small tanks heat up quickly. Peace of mind has value, but it also has a price. You pays your money and you takes your choice.- Paul

 

I like having a chiller personally, it is one of those things that costs a lot but can save your you know what when one of those circumstances that only happens if your unprepared strike.

good luck

 

Do you have pets besides the fish or anyone else staying in the house?

I can't imagine IN getting very hot during spring break. I typically drop the temp to 50-60 (northwest) when I am gone on vacation to conserve as it is not being used. I learned not to turn it off completely as my house was hitting 17-30 degrees F at night and froze some pipes this winter. If you have pets that is of course not an option.

 

Check out my post in the Canopy thread. I sold my chiller and use fans only in Phoenix, the tank stays 79-81 year round. The proper placement of fans aided by convection is amazing

 

a well maintained chiller and proper tank and chiller vents equals peace of mind

trade wind and aqualogic both usa made both 100 percent repairable; you would be amazed as to how many are not 100 percent fixable

 

Evaporative cooling can indeed be very effective but that would raise another issue during a 10 day vacation unless you had an ATO or someone coming in to replace your evaporative loss. You'd hate to come back to a burned out pump or a tank with no flow because of an airlock.

 

Yep, an auto top off is a must. I wasn't able to do this myself until I got an ATO. My return section holds 6 gallons before my pumps starts to break suction so two days was max for me.