To chill or not to chill???

[Beckmola24]

I am trying to decide whether I need to buy a chiller for my tank. If I do get a chiller, I am going to get a Pacific Coast CL280. I have a 90 gallon acrylic tank and it will have 2-250 Watt HQI 10k's with 2- T5 actinics with 2- 4" fans. I would like to know if fellow reefers with similar setups have heat issues. I know it may be different for my specific tank, but if anyone with the same or similar setup knows how high the temp will go during the heat of the day please let me know. During the hot summers here in Houston, I'll probably keep my air at 69/70. Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[jlehigh]

Since you are already controlling the temerature of the room and have installed fans I would not think the chiller is mandatory, however if you have the resources available I say go for it.

I think the chiller would be needed if the room temperature was ever to approach 75+ degrees.

One more thing: Do you have inline or submersible pumps? Powerheads? Is the tank ever in direct sun?

 

[Beckmola24]

The pumps are external and I won't be putting powerheads into the tank. The room gets sun, but the tank is not at all in the direct sun. There are other things I could use more than a chiller if y'all really don't think I need one.

 

[SueT]

One thing to consider is if your lighting may be staggered by the time of day as to when you'll have the lights come on. During the mid, hottest part of Houston's summers I end up having halides come on earlier and going off during the mid afternoon and then coming back on late evening. It helps with temps in the house and in the tank. Never had any problems with corals.

 

[JHReef]

If you have heat problems in the summer, then fans may not cut it for you. I have a 180 gal with 400 watt halides and VHO, and fans, so it's roughly the same idea, just twice as big. I have a PC CL 650 chiller. I went with it because it had the best rating for 1/4hp chillers anywhere near their price range. It does come on in the summer, but not for very long. I think it's nice to know that I have that little extra stability on those record heat days. If you've got the $$ and plan on having sensitive animals, I say a chiller is a wise investment.

 

[SueT]

JHReef, thats an exellent way to put it. My chillers give me piece of mind that the tanks and their inhabitants won't be as hot as I get during the summers.

I have a 1/3hp CSL on my 180g and a 1/4hp Aqualogics on my 120g. The 180g chiller comes on more so than the 180g's but it keeps stuff very nice and cool.

 

[Scooterman]

How about wait to see what your temp is going to be, then decide on a chiller if necessary. I run my lights from 4pm to 4am, this allows me to view them longer also. With that lighting you probably can keep your temp down. Also maybe think about doing something like I have set-up in this pick, with the fan directly on the lamp, my temp didn't change, now shut the fan off and then it goes up lol Hey that is a nice chiller, If I could afford it, I would get one but that is me.

 

[CarlaW]

I would also add a fan on your sump. If like you say you are gonna keep your house at 69-70, that will help quite a bit. You may end up evaporating a bit more water, but it might be cheaper in the long run considering electric rates!!!

 

[Beckmola24]

Didn't want to start a new thread for this.... Right now I really have no way to tell is I'm going to have heat problems. I could get the chiller or I could get a calcium reactor. Which one would be more beneficial for me??? I am going to keep SPS.... Thanks for any input!!

 

[CarlaW]

Have you talked to any other people around that are have a similar setup. That might be the first thing to do, see if they have had heat issues. If you do like scooter said, and run your lites at nite, the Ca reactor may be the way to go.

 

[Beckmola24]

Everyone I've talked to in Houston recommends having a chiller "just in case". Since I have never lived in a warm climate I really don't know how hot it's going to get down here. With all of the time and money I'm putting into the tank I guess it IS better to be safe than sorry. The only question is... What do I need first??? Tell me if my logic is right here.... I'm thinking that maybe I need the chiller first because it will be awhile before I get many things living in the tank that can soak up too much calcium etc..., but then again it won't get really hot until June/July/August.... AHHH... Double logic... Any suggestions?? LOL maybe I'll just get my wrasse first :lol:

 

[orion76]

Didn't want to start a new thread for this.... Right now I really have no way to tell is I'm going to have heat problems. I could get the chiller or I could get a calcium reactor. Which one would be more beneficial for me??? I am going to keep SPS.... Thanks for any input!!

Well if your tank has the potential for overheating then there is no comparison, the chiller would be essential while the CA reactor is just a convenient tool.

Any idea what the ambient room temperature will be during the hottest time of the year? Do you leave your aircon running 24/7 in the summer?

 

[mattseattle]

guess you haven't lived in a hot climate before. it will start getting hot in April/May in Houston. I lived in Austin for 5 years. Summers are usually from April to November! yeah, the hottest months are late June, July and August but just wait!

I'd go with the chiller first.

 

[Beckmola24]

Yes we will run the AC 24/7 in the summer. I will deffinately go with the chiller first though just to be on the safe side. Thanks for the input everyone!

 

[orion76]

Yes we will run the AC 24/7 in the summer.

I'd hate to have to pay your electricity bills!

 

[snobanker]

Ohhhh Texas...I was stationed there back in the early 80's. It was 70 degrees at 2 am in the morning when I got there on Dec 15th .....the next day it was below zero....wierd. I would go for the chiller too....although I imagine you will have AC where you live (?)

 

[Beckmola24]

I am going to go with a CL280 from Pacific Coast. It isn't a large chiller, but it will be a good chiller for backup. If I see I have big heat issues then I will get a larger chiller, but right now I'm planning on this one. Does anyone have chiller hookup pics they could post so I can see where y'all are placing them and how the hookup process goes??? Thanks for the replies!

 

[bradreef]

I have the pacific coast and I love it. Saltwater City runs one on there 120 with no probs. I think you can run that with no probs on a 90. I would run a mag 5 through it. I have mine next to my tank. remember the chiller is going to kick out heat aut of the back and heat Up the room. If you can plumb it to a garage or outside under cover.

 

[jlehigh]

I was shopping Chillers and agree the Pacific Coast seems to be the best bang for your buck. I can;t get over the operating costs of these guys though.. For a tank my size I would need a 7 or 8 amp unit. crazy!

I have the luxury of having my tank and equipment sit in my garage so I am actually going to start the summer out with a Small Maytag in window A/C unit good for cooling 200sq ft. Assuming the A/C unit can keep the temp in the room below 80 degees I should be okay. You can pick these up at Home Depot for about 125.00.