time for a new chiller! need some help deciding..

LA-Lawman · 01/25/2008, 05:08 PM

Hi all,

I am replacing my 6yr old CSL chiller. It finally died. this is goin on my 180g sps reef.....

here are my choices

a Teco Seachill 1/3hp

a Current 1/3hp

or a JBJ 1/3hp.

lets hear the reviews....

LA-Lawman · 01/25/2008, 05:10 PM

wow, 1 vote already.... no pros or cons....

ReefTECK · 01/25/2008, 05:14 PM

I wouldn't go for the current. IMO current USA makes some pretty crappy electronics, although this chiller may be your cheapest alternative. JBJ has always been the brand of chiller which I have gone with, I own three JBJ chillers now. I got my last one on ebay. You'll find that JBJ has the highest BTU rating for any of the similar sized chillers. Finally, the TECO's are suppose to be really awsome, they are super quiet, and feature the built in UV sterilizer option, which is really nice if space is an issue.

But I would also consider a Pacific Coast chiller also, they are probalby the most industrius chillers available next to an Aqualogic.

LA-Lawman · 01/25/2008, 11:20 PM

bump

Drake1 · 01/26/2008, 09:29 AM

I would look into the tradewinds chillers, you can order them directly from the factory for a good price. the tradewinds uses the Copeland compressor which is an industrial compressor. the Copeland series compressors are what Pepsi and coke put in there high use machine where other compressors would fail like outside in the sun in the southwest just to give you an idea. the copeland has a 2 year warranty with an optional 5 year one also...plus they draw less current. My biggest thing is most chillers don't say what type of compressors they use which makes no sense to me since the compressor is basically the entire chillier, its like going to buy a car with out knowing what type of engine it has in it. they can get away with that since most people have no idea that there IS a big difference in compressors. if your planning on placing the chiller outside this doesn't void the tradewinds chiller warranty...just some thoughts there
jeff

SDguy · 01/26/2008, 10:32 AM

I'm happy with my JBJ. Very quite, and looks good (two factors for me since it sits visible next to the tank in the livingroom).

LA-Lawman · 01/26/2008, 06:06 PM

bump

Drake1 · 01/26/2008, 06:35 PM

One thing to think of is how quite they are, if you are using it inside like a living room then quite is a must but all compressors are quite the thing that makes noise is really the fan. The more air you move over the coils is how efficient they will be and also means how hard the compressor has to work. I would take into consideration how quite they are if they don't need to be. you can make a chiller undetectable that its running by taking out the fan and putting on a clip on fan and it will work but it will also be a lot less efficient and burn the pump and bearing in the compressor over the long run
Jeff

View Poll Results: which chiller should i get
Current USA 1/3hp	1	8.33%
Teco SeaChill 1/3hp	3	25.00%
JBJ 1/3hp	8	66.67%
Voters: 12. You may not vote on this poll

01/25/2008, 05:08 PM	#1
LA-Lawman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: So.Cal - Ventura County Posts: 303	time for a new chiller! need some help deciding.. Hi all, I am replacing my 6yr old CSL chiller. It finally died. this is goin on my 180g sps reef..... here are my choices a Teco Seachill 1/3hp a Current 1/3hp or a JBJ 1/3hp. lets hear the reviews.... __________________ -ben -------- "By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." -Confucius Current Tank Info: 180g AGA RR, 3 250w DE 14k , 2 160w VHO actinics, ATI BM250 skimmer,RM media reactor, LifeReef LCR-1 CaRX

01/25/2008, 05:10 PM	#2
LA-Lawman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: So.Cal - Ventura County Posts: 303	wow, 1 vote already.... no pros or cons.... __________________ -ben -------- "By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." -Confucius Current Tank Info: 180g AGA RR, 3 250w DE 14k , 2 160w VHO actinics, ATI BM250 skimmer,RM media reactor, LifeReef LCR-1 CaRX

01/25/2008, 05:14 PM	#3
ReefTECK Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Iowa City, Iowa Posts: 901	I wouldn't go for the current. IMO current USA makes some pretty crappy electronics, although this chiller may be your cheapest alternative. JBJ has always been the brand of chiller which I have gone with, I own three JBJ chillers now. I got my last one on ebay. You'll find that JBJ has the highest BTU rating for any of the similar sized chillers. Finally, the TECO's are suppose to be really awsome, they are super quiet, and feature the built in UV sterilizer option, which is really nice if space is an issue. But I would also consider a Pacific Coast chiller also, they are probalby the most industrius chillers available next to an Aqualogic. __________________ 2013 President of the Greater Iowa Reef Society www.iowareefs.org Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Tank, 96 DIY LED's on 3 channels, 30gal sump/fuge, 4x2x0.5' & 40gal frag tank, SRO Ca rxr, GSA Kalk rxr, SRO 3000 skmr, Gen-X PCX40 Return, 2xMP40w's, 1xTunze 6101, 140lbs LR, SSB, SPS all the way!

01/25/2008, 11:20 PM	#4
LA-Lawman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: So.Cal - Ventura County Posts: 303	bump __________________ -ben -------- "By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." -Confucius Current Tank Info: 180g AGA RR, 3 250w DE 14k , 2 160w VHO actinics, ATI BM250 skimmer,RM media reactor, LifeReef LCR-1 CaRX

01/26/2008, 09:29 AM	#5
Drake1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: lakeville,mn Posts: 530	I would look into the tradewinds chillers, you can order them directly from the factory for a good price. the tradewinds uses the Copeland compressor which is an industrial compressor. the Copeland series compressors are what Pepsi and coke put in there high use machine where other compressors would fail like outside in the sun in the southwest just to give you an idea. the copeland has a 2 year warranty with an optional 5 year one also...plus they draw less current. My biggest thing is most chillers don't say what type of compressors they use which makes no sense to me since the compressor is basically the entire chillier, its like going to buy a car with out knowing what type of engine it has in it. they can get away with that since most people have no idea that there IS a big difference in compressors. if your planning on placing the chiller outside this doesn't void the tradewinds chiller warranty...just some thoughts there jeff

01/26/2008, 10:32 AM	#6
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	I'm happy with my JBJ. Very quite, and looks good (two factors for me since it sits visible next to the tank in the livingroom). __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

01/26/2008, 06:06 PM	#7
LA-Lawman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: So.Cal - Ventura County Posts: 303	bump __________________ -ben -------- "By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." -Confucius Current Tank Info: 180g AGA RR, 3 250w DE 14k , 2 160w VHO actinics, ATI BM250 skimmer,RM media reactor, LifeReef LCR-1 CaRX

01/26/2008, 06:35 PM	#8
Drake1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: lakeville,mn Posts: 530	One thing to think of is how quite they are, if you are using it inside like a living room then quite is a must but all compressors are quite the thing that makes noise is really the fan. The more air you move over the coils is how efficient they will be and also means how hard the compressor has to work. I would take into consideration how quite they are if they don't need to be. you can make a chiller undetectable that its running by taking out the fan and putting on a clip on fan and it will work but it will also be a lot less efficient and burn the pump and bearing in the compressor over the long run Jeff