Chiller in a hot garage

mattinlasvegas · 05/01/2013, 03:00 AM

Hey guys,

I am thinking about getting a chiller .... I have my 180 gl tank in the living room and the 45 gl refugium on the other side of the wall in the "harry potter" room (the room under the stairs) - which is not connected to the house A/C (I live in las vegas and I keep the house temperature at 76 year round).. Now the question: I am afraid the chiller will push out too much hot air in that small enclosed room, so I am thinking about drilling two small holes in the wall into the garage and putting the chiller there, but the summer temperatures here in Vegas in the garage will hit 120 F... so, can a chiller live in such a hot condition in the garage?

Thanks for helping me out here.

Matt

Mark Bianco · 05/01/2013, 07:05 AM

Its probably best to ask that question to the manufacture of what ever unit you decide to go with. That being said the principle of an aquarium chiller systems work basically the same as your house air conditioner and the compressor unit sit outside. No I am not suggesting you sit this unit outside. Just stating they work the same. One other issue (if its even possible) if the unit is in a place where it warmer it will have to work harder.

Mark

Ron Reefman · 05/01/2013, 07:19 AM

Matt,
You may not be in a situation where you can do this. But I'm in SW Florida and we let our house run warm (82-84 6-8 months). I have 350g of water and had 1250W of MH (leds now). The back wall of our house is the north side and the tank is near it. So I drilled 2 holes out the back of the house and set the chiller up in a small plastic storage cabinet. I also opened up both ends so it is open to breath air in and the exhaust side is open but the chiller exhaust is run out of the storage unit with some duct work. It's 92-94 degrees here EVERY day for 6 months, so it's hot outside (but not like your garage or mine at 120 degrees). And being on the north wall, it sits in the shade. It's been in use for 3 1/2 years now and hasn't missed a beat.

If you want any more info or pics of the set up, just ask (here or PM).

05/01/2013, 03:00 AM	#1
mattinlasvegas Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 9	Chiller in a hot garage Hey guys, I am thinking about getting a chiller .... I have my 180 gl tank in the living room and the 45 gl refugium on the other side of the wall in the "harry potter" room (the room under the stairs) - which is not connected to the house A/C (I live in las vegas and I keep the house temperature at 76 year round).. Now the question: I am afraid the chiller will push out too much hot air in that small enclosed room, so I am thinking about drilling two small holes in the wall into the garage and putting the chiller there, but the summer temperatures here in Vegas in the garage will hit 120 F... so, can a chiller live in such a hot condition in the garage? Thanks for helping me out here. Matt

05/01/2013, 07:19 AM	#3
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	Matt, You may not be in a situation where you can do this. But I'm in SW Florida and we let our house run warm (82-84 6-8 months). I have 350g of water and had 1250W of MH (leds now). The back wall of our house is the north side and the tank is near it. So I drilled 2 holes out the back of the house and set the chiller up in a small plastic storage cabinet. I also opened up both ends so it is open to breath air in and the exhaust side is open but the chiller exhaust is run out of the storage unit with some duct work. It's 92-94 degrees here EVERY day for 6 months, so it's hot outside (but not like your garage or mine at 120 degrees). And being on the north wall, it sits in the shade. It's been in use for 3 1/2 years now and hasn't missed a beat. If you want any more info or pics of the set up, just ask (here or PM). __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

05/01/2013, 07:05 AM	#2
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	Its probably best to ask that question to the manufacture of what ever unit you decide to go with. That being said the principle of an aquarium chiller systems work basically the same as your house air conditioner and the compressor unit sit outside. No I am not suggesting you sit this unit outside. Just stating they work the same. One other issue (if its even possible) if the unit is in a place where it warmer it will have to work harder. Mark