Do you use a chiller?

Anybody here own a chiller? If so, which one and what do you think of it?


I own the Coolworks chiller with controller. When my tank hits 83 it will bring it down to 79 or so after a bit. It's ok for my 20 but I wouldn't go bigger with it.

I need to make a new mount for it - this is the hard thing with it as it is ackward to mount unless you drill a hole in the glass.

 

At the moment i do not, but thats ok. No metal halides for me....my uncle really should...his tank gets hot with the 150w mh pendant over his 35gal hex....in NJ summer thats hot!

 

i use fans to cool my tank but may need to upgrade if i go to halides. maybe i will just go T5 to have less risk. i dont know. i have heard that chillers are not worth the price. most people i know use fans.

 

Well I use a fan my self. With my AC at 79 my tank runs anout 78. Before my fan comes on at 9 am with my PC lights tank is abotu 80 , with out fan about 82-83

 

I guess I'm lucky, because I am not having a problem with heat under my MHs. And believe me I have gotten my hand close to them, not close enough to touch of course (I'd be dead without a hand), but they are HOT! I'm in a ground level apartment though, with central A/C keeping the place at about 74.

 

I want one, an aqualogic... grrr. Too expensive though! I would have to say (right now)... no. ;D But I will plan for one in the future.

 

I have a 1/4 HP JBJ on my 125 and a 1HP for my 500gal that's in the works

 

I have a Pacific Coast CL-650. I love it! A nice steady 80 degrees ;D

 

I have 250 watt and 400 watt HQI metal halide pendants on my tank. With the room fan blowing over the top of my tank-the temp stays right at 80 degrees. Evaporational cooling is awesome-just have to replace the freshwater that has evaporated.(make sure if you use this technique, taht you top off with FRESHWATER _only_. If you top off with new saltwater your salinity will go through the roof as only the water evaporates-not the salt in the water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I had to remove the glass hood when I noticed my temp creeping up to 82. I lose a lot to evporation, but I'm holding steady at 81.5. With my nice, cool T5 lighting, I feel like I shouldn't need one.