Chiller Size

chrisv · 11/13/2011, 08:24 PM

I have a 90G tank with a 40G sump and I have been using a 1/15hp chiller to cool my system. The chiller comes on several hours after the halides and rund non stop until about an hour after the halides turn off. It manages to keep the tank within an acceptable temp range (<1 degree above set point). This being said, it seems that this chiller is really pushed to its limit.

Would my tank run more efficiently with a 1/5th HP chiller? I know it would draw significantly more current but i would think it would work much much faster and thus run for short intervals....

Thoughts?

Is this going to save enough energy to notice a difference? The small chiller draws ~3 amps and the bigger one draws ~5 amps.

grigsy · 11/13/2011, 08:32 PM

Wow - a 1/15th HP chiller is really undersized for your tank. That size chiller is usually for a nano tank.

I would imagine it would run all the time.

With chiller sizes, it is always best to be a little above what you really need. That way, your chiller isnt on all the time, doesnt burn out of freon quicker than it normally would and uses less electricity.

chrisv · 11/13/2011, 08:40 PM

yeah... i kinda figured... im running 2x 400W MH + actinics and i feel like the chiller is giving me all it can to keep that tank below 80.5

Neroon · 11/13/2011, 10:37 PM

My guess is a single fan blowing over the top of the water would do as much as that small chiller and cost less too. I run a fan over my 180 with 3x400w MH lighting and it easily lowers the temp by 2-3 degrees. If you have a controller (or are looking for a reason to buy one), that might be an option. Just another thought...

chrisv · 11/14/2011, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neroon

My guess is a single fan blowing over the top of the water would do as much as that small chiller and cost less too. I run a fan over my 180 with 3x400w MH lighting and it easily lowers the temp by 2-3 degrees. If you have a controller (or are looking for a reason to buy one), that might be an option. Just another thought...

I do have a controller and I used to run a fan to control the temp but I recently moved from a house to a more modestly sized apartment and I found that the humidity increase caused by the fan was unmanageable. I bought and was running a 450 watt dehumidifier to keep up with the stale nasty air being blown off of the tank. The dehumidifier really didnt work perfectly, so i opted for the chiller, which i had in storage (previously used on a much smaller tank).

It looks like the best solution for me will be to cough up the extra funds and buy a bigger chiller.

Arthur1 · 11/14/2011, 09:49 AM

Chris, a wise choice. Grigsy is right on the money as always. Exampl A. One of my take over accounts, 180 display 75 gallon sump, hqi halides in a closed hood (smart) had a small i believe 1/5th hp chiller from whoever installed it, was on what seemed to be non stop especially in a non air conditioned house (at the time) warned client that his chiller is being over worked and will eventually die, which it did, almost everything died, now there is a 1/2 hp tradewinds chiller on there, night and day difference. It is a very wise investment, buy it once.

11/13/2011, 08:24 PM	#1
chrisv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 331	Chiller Size I have a 90G tank with a 40G sump and I have been using a 1/15hp chiller to cool my system. The chiller comes on several hours after the halides and rund non stop until about an hour after the halides turn off. It manages to keep the tank within an acceptable temp range (<1 degree above set point). This being said, it seems that this chiller is really pushed to its limit. Would my tank run more efficiently with a 1/5th HP chiller? I know it would draw significantly more current but i would think it would work much much faster and thus run for short intervals.... Thoughts? Is this going to save enough energy to notice a difference? The small chiller draws ~3 amps and the bigger one draws ~5 amps.

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11/13/2011, 08:32 PM	#2
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	Wow - a 1/15th HP chiller is really undersized for your tank. That size chiller is usually for a nano tank. I would imagine it would run all the time. With chiller sizes, it is always best to be a little above what you really need. That way, your chiller isnt on all the time, doesnt burn out of freon quicker than it normally would and uses less electricity.

11/13/2011, 08:40 PM	#3
chrisv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 331	yeah... i kinda figured... im running 2x 400W MH + actinics and i feel like the chiller is giving me all it can to keep that tank below 80.5

11/13/2011, 10:37 PM	#4
Neroon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 44	My guess is a single fan blowing over the top of the water would do as much as that small chiller and cost less too. I run a fan over my 180 with 3x400w MH lighting and it easily lowers the temp by 2-3 degrees. If you have a controller (or are looking for a reason to buy one), that might be an option. Just another thought...

11/14/2011, 09:49 AM	#6
Arthur1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cape Cod MA Posts: 578	Chris, a wise choice. Grigsy is right on the money as always. Exampl A. One of my take over accounts, 180 display 75 gallon sump, hqi halides in a closed hood (smart) had a small i believe 1/5th hp chiller from whoever installed it, was on what seemed to be non stop especially in a non air conditioned house (at the time) warned client that his chiller is being over worked and will eventually die, which it did, almost everything died, now there is a 1/2 hp tradewinds chiller on there, night and day difference. It is a very wise investment, buy it once.