What size chiller?

[treehugger]

So my system is ~250g totaly water volume. I'm looking into getting a chiller (a pacific coast chiller because I can get it through work). My question is can I get by with a 1/4 hp or the 1/3 hp or do i really need to flip out the extra $500 for the 1/2 hp. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome (the sooner the better as temperatures are on the rise).
Thanks
Jeff
ps...the system usually hangs around 80-82 on the warmer days so far but did spike as high as 87 a couple weeks ago (no loses yet but enough to scare me)

 

[mfinn]

I've been pretty happy with my 1/3 hp chiller on my 240 gallon tank with a 85 gallon sump.
I use 3 Poseidon pumps which seem to add a little extra heat to the tank.
I also have 3x250 watt mh and 4x160 watt vho.
So there is alot of potential heat, but the chiller only runs off and on late afternoons

 

[Herefishyfishy]

I have a similar setup to Marty except on a 180, in fact it used to be Marty's 180:lol::lol::lol:

My 1/3 HP works great. The amount of lighting watts, pumps and the ventilation determines a lot of the need

 

[danno14]

'Tis all about temperature drop.... It sounds like you may have greater need than some, but not as much as others (me! #$%$). If I let my system go without chilling or household AC, it would likely get into the 90's on a sunny but not necessarily warm, day. I have large, untinted, non-low E windows that assure me of HUGE solar gain when sunny....even when it's only in the 60's outside. Of course, I also don't have any fans on the tank, the sump room is not yet ventilated, etc.

Determine how many degrees you want/need your chiller to be able to cool your system. Come up with a total gallon volume. Then evaluate the rating needed for that combination. I would go a little larger than needed but not much larger. Better not to have a monster chiller short cycle and wear out prematurely. But also better to have one that will cover your need when the temp gets up there.

That last part said, you can always add a fan or two on those real cooker days to help the chiller out.

Plan upon being able to have your chiller in the shade outside instead of in the house, heating the air that in turn heats the tank all over again.
G'luck!
D

 

[mfinn]

Plan upon being able to have your chiller in the shade outside instead of in the house, heating the air that in turn heats the tank all over again.
G'luck!
D

My chiller is on my back patio. It took 22' of pvc pipe and a dozen 90's.

 

[Dr. Dee]

I have a 220 with sumps about 310 and i had a 1/3 hp it
didn't work out for me I say get the 1/2 hp. but i also had about
1530 watts of lights so i still say go with the 1/2 hp.

 

[Scooterman]

On a tank that size, a 1/3rd will work hard to cool it, & agree with the Dr. on this, go with the 1/2" H.P. It won't be oversize enough to short cycle.
look at this chart! This is with fluorescents & the chiller running constantly to get these levels.
http://www.aqualogicinc.com/product...for-DeltaStar-Cyclone-MultiTemp-Heap-Pump.pdf

http://www.aqualogicinc.com/products/chillers/Delta-Star-Trimline-Water-Chiller.htm#Sizing

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Scooty and Doc wheather doesn't get as hot here as in either of your southern states and shoreline isn't even the hottest part of Seattle. But if a 1/2 was affordible? Hmmmmm, knowing Jeff he will probably upgrade again soon or add more to his system so what the heck

 

[Scooterman]

Down hear heat isn't the issue, down here it is solely humidity, compare %80 to %15 & you'd know the difference, otherwise it is impossible to get a real understanding of how heat & humidity affects cooling a tank in an enclosed building.

 

[treehugger]

I grew up in jersey...i know all about humidity in the summer ...thanks everyone for the input...i think cost wise i'm going to have to go with the 1/3 hp as I really only need to knock it down a couple degrees and the 1/2 hp is a bit out of my price range right now

 

[Scooterman]

Add a few fans blowing across the water surface & you'll have less heat to deal with, also some pumps add a lot of heat into a tank, so consider them when worried about heat.

 

[trido]

Make sure to get one for me too. Class Clown has a 1/3rd horse P.C on his 400+ system and it works fine. I dont have any fans on my tank at all right now and haven had much heating issues at all this year. I think we should be looking into your pump thats creating all of this heat.

 

[aquariumdebacle]

I vote for the 1/2 hp. What is a $500 compared to the value of your livestock? The condenser pump will work less and last longer. Watch for excessive cycling. The unit should only come on once every two or three hours except at peak loads.

 

[tamarindthai]

jeff,,,i got the cold water tank chiller 3/4-1 hp is on standing by for myself with the controller it on wheel,,only need is mag5 0r mag7 to push the water through,,,run in to the jam let me know.