Heating issues with my 28 gal jbj

[lion-clown]

Ok I bought a 28 gal JBJ nano tank with a 150 watt metal halide and then bought the livestock with live rock and with that I bought a chiller. The chiller is a pacific coast imports CL-150. I'm not sure what pump is on it, I will try and figure that out today. Ok so here is the problem I just got it working yesterday and then left and when I got home the tank was up to 89 degrees. So I turned the lights off and it is still at 85 after no lights all night. Is it better to have a faster or slower pump on it. What else can I do? Please help.

Thanks Tony

 

[lion-clown]

Also is there a specific inlet and outlet on this chiller

 

[ac7av]

Sounds like its not working at all. My brother runs a 175 MH over a 29 gallon and doesn’t have a heat problem. Are you sure you heater isn’t having a problem?
The chiller probably has a designated inlet and outlet to prevent air from staying in the system but it should say if it does. A couple hundred gallons per hour would probably work just great.

 

[lion-clown]

I didn't put a heater in the tank to make sure but it is still that hot.

 

[mal1099]

hmm most chillers dont come with a pump you have to buy one for it. how high off the water is you light? id take it higher and then make sure you can get some airflow between it nd the water surface.

 

[lion-clown]

Its in the canopy that comes with a JBJ 150 watt MH. I bought the chiller used so I'm using the pump that he was using.

 

[gothunder3022]

Here's a link to the user manual:
http://www.pacificcoastimports.com/downloads/00000167/cl_85___150.pdf

you need a pump that provides 160-300 gallons per hour. If you're taking/returning water to the same level, then you have a closed loop and head loss due to height shouldn't be an issue...otherwise factor that in on your pump flow, as well as bends in the tubing/piping.

I don't think it matters which barb you use for inlet/outlet...but I have seen people report better performace on other chillers by switching them.

Is the chiller running okay? Is it on constantly while trying to get the temp down, or is it cycling?

 

[ac7av]

Well if that’s the case then Id say that chiller isn’t working or the pump on it isn’t working. Or it’s heating instead of cooling. Take the lids off the tank and lit air circulate across the water surface.

 

[lion-clown]

Thanks for the manual I think the pump is about the right amount.

I might change them to see but maybe later.

The chiller is running constantly but Im not sure its running good.

Is there a way to tell if the chiller works. The pump works because its pumping water back to the tank.

 

[jrgilles]

put 2 or 3 gallons of RT (room temp) water in a 5 gallon bucket with a thermometer. Turn on chiller/pump in the bucket, see if the water gets really cold. You could put another 5 gallon bucket of the same amount and temperature water next to it when you start, and that will account for cooling due to environment. You would then measure the difference between the temperature of the 2 buckets to see how much/how fast the chiller is chilling the water.

 

[jrgilles]

do you have a sump? You could fill up some plastic soda bottles with water and put them in the freezer, then float them in your sump or tank to take the temperature down

 

[gothunder3022]

The 28 JBJ is an AIO...I suspect he's running it from/to the rear chambers. Guessing.

So how do you have it plumbed? From where to where?

Do you have a temp probe or thermometer that you can place at the outlet? If it's reading your current tank temp you probably have a bad unit. Where is the chiller sitting? Well ventilated, is the grill clean/unobstructed?

Is the chiller new or used?

 

[lion-clown]

Yes I'm running it from the back to the back. It's the only thing no sump.

I have one of the thermometers that are suction cupped to the glass, not sure how to place it at the outlet?

The chiller is sitting in the stand. I placed a fan down there today to circulate the air. There are two vents on the side of the stand. The grill is clean and unobstructed.

The chiller is used I bought it from the guy with the livestock and when it was on his tank
it was reading 81 degrees which is what I think he had it set for.

 

[gothunder3022]

I think you better try the bucket test Rob recommended earlier...it's really starting to sound like the unit lost it's ability to cool.

 

[Scooterman]

You should provide water from the back compartment but the return must go into the main tank water, away from the suction of the pump. Otherwise your just cycling the same water close to the suction & return. If it doesn't cool the tank down, or actually increase the temps. then most probably the chiller has issues. Also you need to make sure that the chiller itself has plenty of airflow front & back so it doesn't act like a heater. If your tank is covered then removing the covers completely is almost a must regardless of temperature, reef tanks needs lots of air movement & water surface to air heat transfer, gas exchange etc.

 

[roscoe]

I havn't seen it mention yet. Your chiller could also be out of refrigerent also. Might want to check that out. If so just need to get it refilled.

 

[Scooterman]

I havn't seen it mention yet. Your chiller could also be out of refrigerent also. Might want to check that out. If so just need to get it refilled.

Yes I mentioned that, well indirectly as being a issue with the compressor. You see, If you loose R133a then their is a leak of some sort, so it would first need repair, ie. leak test.

 

[gothunder3022]

And if my experience with my beer fridge is any indication...leak detection and repair will quickly outweigh the price of a new unit (or another used unit).

And for what it's worth...I have a JBJ 28 with a chiller too. I take water from the overflow chamber and return it to the opposite side return chamber. They are very close, but it works. Putting a hose or pipe through the canopy or rear partition would be pretty involved. Also, you can't simply remove the top on these tanks...I've seen one guy raise the lid on 4 legs, but it was kind of ackward.

 

[lion-clown]

Yea I don't know if I could raise the canopy without going to sunpod type thing. If someone has a design for raising it I would love to see it.

I have mine run just like you gothunder3022 it's being pumped out the overflow and returned to the side return chamber.

Ok I had the lights off for almost 24 hours and the temperature was only down to 83 so I'm pretty sure the chiller isn't working very well if at all. Where do I take the chiller to get a leek test and get it refilled? Is it something I can do or something that has to be taken in to have done?

gothunder2033 what kind of chiller do you have on yours and how is it doing? What pump do you use on yours?

Thanks everyone for all the help I really need it.

 

[Scooterman]

Yea these little all-in one tanks have closed hoods but most have built in fans. I did remove mine & install a light over the top as mentioned, the heat issues was much butter, didn't need a chiller at all!