Chiller questions

[thesauce]

Hiya,

I have some hangups with the installation of a current prime 1/15 HP chiller into my biocube 29gallon (skimmer in middle rear chamber). My first question is which is the inlet and outlet. There is no label, nothing mentioned in the literature. Older models had different diameters to distinguish the two.

Secondly, should I use the powerhead to 'push' water into the chiller or set it up at the end of the outlet tube to 'pull' water through. Any help would be appreciated, I've only had experience with all-in-one setups and have really never even attempted basic aquarium plumbing tasks. Thanks.

 

[pecan2phat]

If there is no designated/labeled inlet and outlet, then it probably does not matter which side is which.
You definitely want to pump (push) water through the chiller and make sure you size the pump correctly according to the manufacturer's specs.

 

[thesauce]

Thanks I appreciate the response. Any suggestions on glue/adhesive to keep the 'send' house secure on the powerhead?

 

[KathyC]

I think you want to use a plastic hose clamp like these:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...ubref=AA&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=0027279000000

 

[ZANYMASTER]

Use the metal ones,much stronger.

 

[Lenny718]

Ditto, I would also use the metal hose clamps. Like Zany said there much stronger.

 

[ZANYMASTER]

Those cheap plastic ones would only be used for like phosban reactors and such but never for Chillers.

 

[thesauce]

Thanks,

The clamp I am concerned with would be submerged in saltwater, so I should go with a material other than metal.

 

[thesauce]

My biggest fear is coming home to find that some malfunction has emptied my tank water onto the floor lol! I'm trying to plan for every possible contingency.

 

[ming]

I think you want to use a plastic hose clamp like these:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...ubref=AA&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=0027279000000

These plastic clamps would work well, especially since it would be submerged in the water. I have these clamps on all my hose parts

Those cheap plastic ones would only be used for like phosban reactors and such but never for Chillers.

I don't know why you would never use it for a chiller. I just try to tighten as much as I can by hand, and then an extra click or two tighter by large plyers.
The plastic ones are fine in and out of water. I would never use the metal ones in water though.

 

[KathyC]

Thanks,

The clamp I am concerned with would be submerged in saltwater, so I should go with a material other than metal.

I hear you!
To me the metal ones look stronger and I had one on the pump supplying my reactor. When I checked it after a couple of months - it had rust in it..and it WAS Stainless Steel!. I switched to the plastic ones after that.

If possible rest the pump on the floor of your sump so that the clamp is less like to come off..less worry.

 

[thesauce]

Thanks for all the input guys, its also a biocube 29 gallon, so that throughs another set of challenges into the installation. I can't wait to get a large system so that I will have a nice large sump etc to play around with. I have to really work to get the powerhead back into the rear compartment of the cube.