chiller...deal or no deal?

[Craig]

need some MR expertise.

It's the middle of winter so there's no better time for me to get a chiller. I have been offered a chance to buy the following used chiller:

2 years Old
JBJ Arctica Titanium Chiller 1/10HP
Link: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewI...dProduct=JB1111

for $225 shipped.


I have a 46 gallon with 17 gallon sump. Metal halides and a half dozen powerheads.

Is this the chiller for me or should I look for a better deal or better chiller? Or should I jump at this opportunity?

 

[loismustdie]

cant you vent the chiller outside?

 

[Craig]

I live in a condo so I cant cut any openings to the outside.

 

[loismustdie]

then it may be cheaper and more energy efficient for you to run an A/C in the room the tank is in and put fans in your canopy. Consider this instead of a chiller. You can even program your aquacontrollers to turn on the A/c and fans when you need it.
I'm big on chillers, I always tell people to get one, but they aren't for everyone.

 

[PalmTree]

I have a condo as well and I'm currently running a 1/2 HP chiller. The apartment gets very warm during the summer but its okay in the winter. I am one of those people that love it and have gotten use to the negative aspects. I think the pros far outweigh the cons.

 

[Craig]

what are the cons of a chiller?

 

[loismustdie]

what are the cons of a chiller?

that his tank is nice and cool, but he's sweating his ba11s off in the summer. Not worth it IMO, when you can run A/C and fans. Also, the hotter the room is that the chiller is in, the less efficient the chiller runs.

 

[Melt]

I got a jbj chiller last summer and i still had to run my AC..but in the winter it's not bad at all...what i do is in the summer i rise it to 82 and te winter i set it to 79..this help a lot...

 

[loismustdie]

Melt, what HP is your JBJ and what size tank. This may also help Craig make his decision.

 

[jf2381]

I'm running a JBJ Arctica Titanium Chiller DBA-150 1/5HP. I drilled a hole in the wall and placed the chiller and my ballast in my exercise room. In the summer I have to open the windows and run a fan blowing out to keep the temperature down. Best piece of equipment I have bought for my tank.