chiller help

Ron Reefman · 08/01/2010, 03:46 PM

BTW, I posted this in the 'Large Reef Tanks' section and got no replies. Big tanks, but no big help!

I have a 180g reef tank, an 85g estuary tank and a 140g sump/refugium (400 gallon system). I'm in SW Florida and our house temp is between 80-84 degrees (6-8 months of the year). I have an AquaMedic MH light (3 bulbs at 250w and 2 bulbs @150w). A Reeflo Blackfin pump on a closed loop and a 3000gph pond pump in the sump for a return pump (it's brand new and runs very cool).

I'm looking for a chiller. Does anybody have any experience with Oceanic or Eco Plus 1/2hp systems? Any info will be helpful, even if it's not about the 1/2hp units.

I've just upgraded from a 75g tank with VHO lights to this new system and my old 1/4hp AquaMedic chiller runs all day (off all night) and is getting kind of loud. BTW, I vent the hot air from the chiller and from under the canopy to the attic with exhaust fans on a thermostat.

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

GPhiAce · 08/01/2010, 04:32 PM

You may want to look through this forum. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1827013

That seems like alot to be running a chiller. My 1/4 HP runs for about 3hrs/d and only when my MHs are on. But then again, my house temp is about 77, and I am in the midwest.

v8fla · 08/01/2010, 06:07 PM

You may want to check the fan inside the chiller itself, the fan motor shaft rides in a set of bushings. They dry/wear out and it slows the speed of the fan down and begins to make noise. The slower the fan the harder the unit has to work to get the job done.

grigsy · 08/01/2010, 06:14 PM

+1 - check that your fan is moving properly.

That may be the reason why it is taking a long time to chill. It could be that the fan just needs to be greased which will help it spin better. Ask Aqua Medic what they think.

I would recommend Trade Winds or Aqua Logic. Both make good chillers.

I wouldnt recommend Sunlight Supply chillers. Not built that well and their customer support is terrible.

iamwrasseman · 08/01/2010, 06:20 PM

hey Ron i have used a few oceanic chillers ,what type of info are you looking for ? i just installed a monster 1hp unit on a tank that was running about 88 degrees and in a week we cooled it down to 77 . it is oversized and would have pulled it down to that temp overnight . one thing to look for in a chiller and IMO oceanic is one of the most reliable and best built .they are very easy to run and use less power tank some others .shoot me a PM if you need any help or simply ask on this tread .

08/01/2010, 03:46 PM	#1
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	chiller help BTW, I posted this in the 'Large Reef Tanks' section and got no replies. Big tanks, but no big help! I have a 180g reef tank, an 85g estuary tank and a 140g sump/refugium (400 gallon system). I'm in SW Florida and our house temp is between 80-84 degrees (6-8 months of the year). I have an AquaMedic MH light (3 bulbs at 250w and 2 bulbs @150w). A Reeflo Blackfin pump on a closed loop and a 3000gph pond pump in the sump for a return pump (it's brand new and runs very cool). I'm looking for a chiller. Does anybody have any experience with Oceanic or Eco Plus 1/2hp systems? Any info will be helpful, even if it's not about the 1/2hp units. I've just upgraded from a 75g tank with VHO lights to this new system and my old 1/4hp AquaMedic chiller runs all day (off all night) and is getting kind of loud. BTW, I vent the hot air from the chiller and from under the canopy to the attic with exhaust fans on a thermostat. Thanks for any help and suggestions. __________________ 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

08/01/2010, 04:32 PM	#2
GPhiAce Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CoMo Posts: 1,615	You may want to look through this forum. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1827013 That seems like alot to be running a chiller. My 1/4 HP runs for about 3hrs/d and only when my MHs are on. But then again, my house temp is about 77, and I am in the midwest. __________________ Paul Professional Bum Current Tank Info: empty 120 gallon glass box. wanna help fill it? sps and palys please

08/01/2010, 06:20 PM	#5
iamwrasseman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: syracuse Posts: 7,003	hey Ron i have used a few oceanic chillers ,what type of info are you looking for ? i just installed a monster 1hp unit on a tank that was running about 88 degrees and in a week we cooled it down to 77 . it is oversized and would have pulled it down to that temp overnight . one thing to look for in a chiller and IMO oceanic is one of the most reliable and best built .they are very easy to run and use less power tank some others .shoot me a PM if you need any help or simply ask on this tread . __________________ This hobby certainly can put you in some weird positions ! Dave Current Tank Info: 40 freshwater,25saltwater 2000 gallons ,enough tanks for an army ?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Chiller Recommendations	WHEELPOWER	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	3	08/01/2010 04:54 AM
FS/FT lighting, tanks, chiller, frags, pumps & more	laverda	Southern California Reefers	17	02/07/2010 01:08 PM
Chiller UserGuide or Handbook for 1/3hp CustomSeaLife with Controller	dtidwell	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	1	10/07/2009 08:37 PM
F/S: Chiller, Dosers, Skimmer	BigReefTreat	Florida Marine Aquarium Society (FMAS) - Miami/Ft. Lauderdale	20	10/06/2009 07:32 PM

08/01/2010, 06:07 PM	#3
v8fla Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 31	You may want to check the fan inside the chiller itself, the fan motor shaft rides in a set of bushings. They dry/wear out and it slows the speed of the fan down and begins to make noise. The slower the fan the harder the unit has to work to get the job done.

08/01/2010, 06:14 PM	#4
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	+1 - check that your fan is moving properly. That may be the reason why it is taking a long time to chill. It could be that the fan just needs to be greased which will help it spin better. Ask Aqua Medic what they think. I would recommend Trade Winds or Aqua Logic. Both make good chillers. I wouldnt recommend Sunlight Supply chillers. Not built that well and their customer support is terrible.