Who has a chiller?

[Maximillian]

Full discloser: this is the first question I've posted, so be nice. But I have been reading what people have to say here for quite some time, and I'm impressed with the range of knowledge that is out there.

Here is it: I am considering buying a chiller, but don't know what the best avenue would be. I understand that care needs to be taken with getting the appropriate size for your tank, but beyond that.....?

Any advice would be welcome as to in-line vs. in-sump probe, brands, etc. I saw the Aquatherm on Flying Fish Expresses site, and was intrigued. I'm really looking for something quite if I can get it.

By the by, I have a 58 gallon reef tank.

Thanks for your help.

 

[odie]

If your room is small enough, save your money and buy a room a/c. It's far cheaper and you can benifit from the cold air yourself. If your problem is simple heat from your lights, simply add small fans to help vent the heat. Hope this helps

 

[Jeff Hood]

I love my Cyclone 1/5th horsepower. Its quiet and sounds like a dorm refridgerator. The drop in Coil is great and has held up well for me for the last 6 years.
with 58 gallons and no thoughts of getting larger then you should be able to use just a 1/6th horsepower if avail. Can't go wrong with the 1/5th though.

you will love your rock solid stable temps.

Jeff

 

[Maximillian]

Thanks for your thoughts. I should mention a couple of things that would have been best said earlier. First, I hope to move up to a 120 in a year or year and a half. Second, we already have an air conditioner in the room and it is so loud, and many days it is cool enough in the room for people, but we still have to run it to keep the tank cool. Oh yeah--I have four 95 watt VHOs running on Ice Caps.

Thanks again.

 

[Tcook]

I have a CSL PowerCooler 1/3hp inline chiller on my 120 gal. Fairly quiet for a chiller but still loader than the overflows, fans, and pumps. If this is going into a small room (12 x 10')it can add some heat and run more often. If you can plumb it into a fish utility room especially when you go with the larger tank you'll be glad you did.

 

[slash7]

I've had an Aquanetics chiller for approx. 6 years on my tank. It's quiet, accurate and has been maintenance free for the entire time. If you have the money for a chiller I highly recommend one, your temp will be very stable and it takes that particular worry out of the equation. Info can be found at http://www.aquanetics.com/

 

[MattM]

What temp are you trying to run the tank at?

Most people who think they might need a chiller are keeping their tanks too cool. The tropical reefs of the world seldom drop below 80 degrees, so we recommend keeping your tank between 80 and 84.

BTW, we have a chiller - but it's on our local New England cold water reef, which runs at 58 degrees!