best chiller for a 90...bang for the buck...and where to buy?

nicolicious · 05/08/2007, 07:25 PM

im running about 82-85 when the lights are on bc of a new return pump...thanks mag 9.5...

now im into getting a chiller....best for the money and the best place to buy...thanks

Paulairduck · 05/08/2007, 07:50 PM

For a 90 gallon a good skimmer, with an even better price is Pcaific Coast Imports CL 280, I used it for over two years on my 100 gallon and it worked great.

Premium Aquatics carries them, and they have reviews on them from customers

DarG · 05/08/2007, 08:04 PM

IMO, 1/10th HP is too small.

Follow the link, type in your data and the result you get is the size that you really should consider. Best chiller calculator I have seen.

http://www.jbjlighting.com/prod_chiller_size.asp

db_triggerfish · 05/08/2007, 08:34 PM

http://www.webaquatics.com/

i have ordered from this company fast they also have a special on two brands with free shipping.

1/10 is enough for most 90g it depends more on your room temp and lights using fans. i am getting a 90 very soon and a 1/10. for my case i am setting the temp to 80 degrees so that the chiller doesn't have to work so hard. and i since i live in florida i have a central ac temp set to 78 degrees not cold. 78=happy wife my choice 70 degrees.

Use the calculator DarG pointed to. In my case it recommened .1 or 1/10

nicolicious · 05/08/2007, 08:51 PM

i keep my ac on 76 and 74 at night and since i put my new return pump on the temp has shot up to 84-86....my lights arent that hot either.......should i try fans first? or is 7-8 degrees too much?

DarG · 05/08/2007, 08:53 PM

I ahve a 90 also, and also in Florida. On my tank, in my set-up, a 1/10 HP would run forever. Using that calculator, it suggested a 1/4 for my system. I already had a 1/3 and glad I do but a 1/4 would do the job. Only problem I have with that calculator is the fan cooling for the lights. Taht assumes an awful lot. Just because a hood is cooled with fans doesnt mean the cooling has been optimized enough to cut the heat in half. But regardless, the calculator is excellent if used with some common sense.
I wouldnt go lower than what it recommends. It considers all the most improtant variables.

DarG · 05/08/2007, 08:55 PM

How high has the temp. increased since the new pump and is that Mag running internal or external?

GSMguy · 05/08/2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nicolicious
i keep my ac on 76 and 74 at night and since i put my new return pump on the temp has shot up to 84-86....my lights arent that hot either.......should i try fans first? or is 7-8 degrees too much?

do you think maybee thats too big a pump or what about a cooler pump? isnt that way cheaper than a chiller.

nicolicious · 05/08/2007, 09:12 PM

darg: its running external....

gsm: yes your right...but i can return it and i my algea problem hates the flow to much....im had a 200gph and algea had taken over....

DarG · 05/08/2007, 09:19 PM

Mybe going back to a smaller pump and running internal prop pumps for flow. Pumps like the Koralia's or the Tunze nanos provide very good flow and use only 5 - 12 watts and the heat transfer is minimal. I noticed a big difference in how long my chiller ran, first by switching from little giant external pumps to Pan World (Blueline) pumps and then another even larger difference by swapping out MJ powerheads to Hydor Koralia and Tunze Nano prop pumps. I still needed the chiller but you sound like you went from not nedding one to needing one with one pump change.

db_triggerfish · 05/08/2007, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DarG
the lights. Just because a hood is cooled with fans doesnt mean the cooling has been optimized enough to cut the heat in half.

i got two of these from drfostersmith.com they don't blow that much air but i they look nice, very quiet and low watts, safer because dc powered with small transformer. They make a 4 units one, kind of wish had those instead. For those who don't care about looks a cheap small fan from walmart maybe better.

In my case i am going to placed them right where MH light is at to blow some of the hot air into the living room.

hohmfree · 05/08/2007, 11:39 PM

Definitely go with Pacific Coast Imports. I have been running my 1/2 hp chiller for a year now, and love it.

joeycadre · 05/09/2007, 12:12 AM

i run a 1/10th on my 90 and it only comes on 3 times an hour. i also have the fans in my pfo hood set up on my ac jr. 1/10th is plenty if you want to run it at 80 or so degrees and have central air.

DarG · 05/09/2007, 07:52 AM

"1/10 is plenty if" ... is a generalized statement that you can't make in another persons situation. I've run chilelrs for better than 10 years. A 1/10th HP chiller would be a joke on my 90. It would run for, easily better than 2 hours per cycle during the day and. It depends on the ambient temperature of the air around the chiller, the ventilation scheme, the heat load of the tank, how many degree temp drop is required and other variables. My 90 would laugh at a 1/10 hp chiller.

I also dont understand how your chiller is coming on "only 3 times per hour". Something doesnt sound right there. How is it cooling the tank, in 1/4 degree increments? Sounds like the temperature probe is located right in the path of the cooled water that is being returned to the tank causing your chiller to cycle on and off. The probe needs to be located where it can get an accurate reading of the water temperature and should NOT be located in the path of the cooled water just returned from the chiller. Cycling on and off 3 times per hour is hard on the chiller to boot.

RichConley · 05/09/2007, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nicolicious
darg: its running external....

gsm: yes your right...but i can return it and i my algea problem hates the flow to much....im had a 200gph and algea had taken over....

Theyre water cooled... it doesnt matter all that much whether theyre running external.

Buy yourself a small iwaki or something.

DarG · 05/09/2007, 09:38 AM

I would think that it would still add more heat if submerged. If it's external atleast it would release some heat to the air with the housing acting as a heatsink. Obviously not a very efficient heatsink but a heatsink of some sort nonetheless. If submerged, all the heat it generates is transferred to the water. But like you said, it's very possible that the difference isnt all that much.

05/08/2007, 07:25 PM	#1
nicolicious Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 202	best chiller for a 90...bang for the buck...and where to buy? im running about 82-85 when the lights are on bc of a new return pump...thanks mag 9.5... now im into getting a chiller....best for the money and the best place to buy...thanks

05/08/2007, 07:50 PM	#2
Paulairduck I LOVE FREE FRAGS!!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chino Hills Posts: 2,909	CL 280 For a 90 gallon a good skimmer, with an even better price is Pcaific Coast Imports CL 280, I used it for over two years on my 100 gallon and it worked great. Premium Aquatics carries them, and they have reviews on them from customers

05/08/2007, 08:34 PM	#4
db_triggerfish Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,127	http://www.webaquatics.com/ i have ordered from this company fast they also have a special on two brands with free shipping. 1/10 is enough for most 90g it depends more on your room temp and lights using fans. i am getting a 90 very soon and a 1/10. for my case i am setting the temp to 80 degrees so that the chiller doesn't have to work so hard. and i since i live in florida i have a central ac temp set to 78 degrees not cold. 78=happy wife my choice 70 degrees. Use the calculator DarG pointed to. In my case it recommened .1 or 1/10 __________________ FMAS - Florida Marine Aquarium Society Member . Current Tank Info: AGA 75g RR 6 x 54w T5 overdriven (510w) with 2 x Icecap 660, DAS EX-1 Skimmer, OR 2500, Reefkeeper II

05/08/2007, 08:51 PM	#5
nicolicious Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 202	i live in south fla too i keep my ac on 76 and 74 at night and since i put my new return pump on the temp has shot up to 84-86....my lights arent that hot either.......should i try fans first? or is 7-8 degrees too much?

05/09/2007, 12:12 AM	#13
joeycadre Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: jackson Posts: 1,371	i run a 1/10th on my 90 and it only comes on 3 times an hour. i also have the fans in my pfo hood set up on my ac jr. 1/10th is plenty if you want to run it at 80 or so degrees and have central air. __________________ "it's not the heat, it's the humility" Current Tank Info: 90 gal. sps mostly. bubble master 200. pci cl-300 chiller

05/08/2007, 08:04 PM	#3
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	IMO, 1/10th HP is too small. Follow the link, type in your data and the result you get is the size that you really should consider. Best chiller calculator I have seen. http://www.jbjlighting.com/prod_chiller_size.asp

05/08/2007, 08:53 PM	#6
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	I ahve a 90 also, and also in Florida. On my tank, in my set-up, a 1/10 HP would run forever. Using that calculator, it suggested a 1/4 for my system. I already had a 1/3 and glad I do but a 1/4 would do the job. Only problem I have with that calculator is the fan cooling for the lights. Taht assumes an awful lot. Just because a hood is cooled with fans doesnt mean the cooling has been optimized enough to cut the heat in half. But regardless, the calculator is excellent if used with some common sense. I wouldnt go lower than what it recommends. It considers all the most improtant variables.

05/08/2007, 08:55 PM	#7
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	How high has the temp. increased since the new pump and is that Mag running internal or external?

05/08/2007, 09:12 PM	#9
nicolicious Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 202	darg: its running external.... gsm: yes your right...but i can return it and i my algea problem hates the flow to much....im had a 200gph and algea had taken over....

05/08/2007, 09:19 PM	#10
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	Mybe going back to a smaller pump and running internal prop pumps for flow. Pumps like the Koralia's or the Tunze nanos provide very good flow and use only 5 - 12 watts and the heat transfer is minimal. I noticed a big difference in how long my chiller ran, first by switching from little giant external pumps to Pan World (Blueline) pumps and then another even larger difference by swapping out MJ powerheads to Hydor Koralia and Tunze Nano prop pumps. I still needed the chiller but you sound like you went from not nedding one to needing one with one pump change.

05/08/2007, 11:39 PM	#12
hohmfree Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Spring Hill, TN Posts: 98	Definitely go with Pacific Coast Imports. I have been running my 1/2 hp chiller for a year now, and love it.

05/09/2007, 07:52 AM	#14
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	"1/10 is plenty if" ... is a generalized statement that you can't make in another persons situation. I've run chilelrs for better than 10 years. A 1/10th HP chiller would be a joke on my 90. It would run for, easily better than 2 hours per cycle during the day and. It depends on the ambient temperature of the air around the chiller, the ventilation scheme, the heat load of the tank, how many degree temp drop is required and other variables. My 90 would laugh at a 1/10 hp chiller. I also dont understand how your chiller is coming on "only 3 times per hour". Something doesnt sound right there. How is it cooling the tank, in 1/4 degree increments? Sounds like the temperature probe is located right in the path of the cooled water that is being returned to the tank causing your chiller to cycle on and off. The probe needs to be located where it can get an accurate reading of the water temperature and should NOT be located in the path of the cooled water just returned from the chiller. Cycling on and off 3 times per hour is hard on the chiller to boot.

05/09/2007, 09:38 AM	#16
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	I would think that it would still add more heat if submerged. If it's external atleast it would release some heat to the air with the housing acting as a heatsink. Obviously not a very efficient heatsink but a heatsink of some sort nonetheless. If submerged, all the heat it generates is transferred to the water. But like you said, it's very possible that the difference isnt all that much.