Low Cost Aquarium Chiller

gomab14 · 08/11/2010, 09:57 PM

Does anyone know where I can buy a aquarium chiller for a 100 gallon tank, without going broke.

Percula9 · 08/11/2010, 10:04 PM

Try Ebay or Craig's list.

iamwrasseman · 08/11/2010, 10:17 PM

the one thing that you must watch out for and that's a cheap chiller . yes they will chill but for how long ? we use oceanic chillers and they are great ! very well built ,reliable ,great warranty and they last year after year .for the money they are the best . yes you can get cheaper units but will it work next year ? many wont

discus510 · 08/11/2010, 11:19 PM

not sure wats ur budget but i would go with a jbj chiller

Toddrtrex · 08/11/2010, 11:59 PM

What are your temps at now?

Have you tried any clip on fans over your sump?

One thing to remember about chillers, they will put out a good amount of heat into the room they are located.

cirionrc · 08/12/2010, 02:19 AM

Use a fan! I have temp probs and bought a dual clip on fan off ebay. Looks like 2 computer fans. Keeps the water cool no prob.

lars on live · 08/12/2010, 07:00 AM

You could also use a Turf scrubber with a fan on it in the sump. I made a DIY on with a old maxijet powerhead I had laying around. Non of these will drastically drop your temps but it should be good for a couple of degrees.

slumlord · 08/12/2010, 09:40 AM

I live in the Phoenix area so you can imagine how warm it gets here. Anyways, just as the others have said, fans work great. With the fans on I run about 78.5 to 79.7, only downside is I think they do cause more evap, but I'd rather have that than a hot tank and stressed fish!

reggiepe · 08/12/2010, 09:45 AM

+1 for the fans. Abandoned my chiller for fans. Room stays cooler and I get about a 3 degree max swing. Fans are controlled by a controller, so they aren't on all of the time. To add to that...this has been one of the hottest summers that the East Coast has had for years. I am glad I went the fan route.

Kache · 08/12/2010, 11:23 AM

Get sum cheap plastic fans from walmart for about 9.99. They really move some air. This is how mine is setup. Use to have heat issue and thought I would have to get a chiller. Then I used a fan on the sump and work wonders.

chimmike · 08/12/2010, 11:37 AM

i second JBJ chillers.
Fans= more evaporation.

If you can locate the chiller in another room, that's optimal.
Also, if you get a chiller, make sure it's at least as powerful as you need, and maybe the next size up. It'll run less often this way, thereby using less energy.

Kache · 08/12/2010, 11:42 AM

You do have alot evaporation. But cheaper then a chiller. If your making your own water.

KafudaFish · 08/12/2010, 11:50 AM

Dyson air foil.

Jigsaw · 08/12/2010, 11:52 AM

Just came across this Nano-Reef thread, could be useful, $15 chiller

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/inde...owtopic=221026

cirionrc · 08/12/2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reggiepe

+1 for the fans. Abandoned my chiller for fans. Room stays cooler and I get about a 3 degree max swing. Fans are controlled by a controller, so they aren't on all of the time. To add to that...this has been one of the hottest summers that the East Coast has had for years. I am glad I went the fan route.

I agree. Have mine on a timer and runs every other hour and every 3 hours at night. Doesn't really heat up at night d/t lights are off.

Conrad25 · 08/12/2010, 01:10 PM

That 15 dollar chillar is amazing. I am considering trying that out with a few heatsinks on them

Conrad

08/11/2010, 09:57 PM	#1
gomab14 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 94	Low Cost Aquarium Chiller Does anyone know where I can buy a aquarium chiller for a 100 gallon tank, without going broke.

08/11/2010, 10:17 PM	#3
iamwrasseman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: syracuse Posts: 7,003	the one thing that you must watch out for and that's a cheap chiller . yes they will chill but for how long ? we use oceanic chillers and they are great ! very well built ,reliable ,great warranty and they last year after year .for the money they are the best . yes you can get cheaper units but will it work next year ? many wont __________________ This hobby certainly can put you in some weird positions ! Dave Current Tank Info: 40 freshwater,25saltwater 2000 gallons ,enough tanks for an army ?

08/11/2010, 11:59 PM	#5
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	What are your temps at now? Have you tried any clip on fans over your sump? One thing to remember about chillers, they will put out a good amount of heat into the room they are located. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

08/12/2010, 02:19 AM	#6
cirionrc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Diego Posts: 175	Use a fan! I have temp probs and bought a dual clip on fan off ebay. Looks like 2 computer fans. Keeps the water cool no prob. __________________ 90 gallon, CPR bak pak skimmer, HOB CPR 3 gal refugium with DSB with 13 w light, Eheim 2217 Filter, Sun Tek 8x54w T5 HO, 80lbs live rock, 1 yellow tang, 1 firefish, 2 yellowtail damsels, 1 ocellaris clownfish, 1 clarkii, 1 condy anemone, 1 BTA, 2 button polyp colony, 1 blue xenia, and big dent in my wallet!

08/12/2010, 11:37 AM	#11
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	i second JBJ chillers. Fans= more evaporation. If you can locate the chiller in another room, that's optimal. Also, if you get a chiller, make sure it's at least as powerful as you need, and maybe the next size up. It'll run less often this way, thereby using less energy. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

08/11/2010, 10:04 PM	#2
Percula9 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 3,819	Try Ebay or Craig's list.

08/11/2010, 11:19 PM	#4
discus510 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 803	not sure wats ur budget but i would go with a jbj chiller

08/12/2010, 07:00 AM	#7
lars on live Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 99	You could also use a Turf scrubber with a fan on it in the sump. I made a DIY on with a old maxijet powerhead I had laying around. Non of these will drastically drop your temps but it should be good for a couple of degrees.

08/12/2010, 09:40 AM	#8
slumlord Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 289	I live in the Phoenix area so you can imagine how warm it gets here. Anyways, just as the others have said, fans work great. With the fans on I run about 78.5 to 79.7, only downside is I think they do cause more evap, but I'd rather have that than a hot tank and stressed fish!

08/12/2010, 09:45 AM	#9
reggiepe Seriously? Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Newburg, Pennsylvania Posts: 332	+1 for the fans. Abandoned my chiller for fans. Room stays cooler and I get about a 3 degree max swing. Fans are controlled by a controller, so they aren't on all of the time. To add to that...this has been one of the hottest summers that the East Coast has had for years. I am glad I went the fan route.

08/12/2010, 11:23 AM	#10
Kache Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 95	Get sum cheap plastic fans from walmart for about 9.99. They really move some air. This is how mine is setup. Use to have heat issue and thought I would have to get a chiller. Then I used a fan on the sump and work wonders.

08/12/2010, 11:42 AM	#12
Kache Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 95	You do have alot evaporation. But cheaper then a chiller. If your making your own water.

08/12/2010, 11:50 AM	#13
KafudaFish Cyprinius carpio Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,496	Dyson air foil.

08/12/2010, 11:52 AM	#14
Jigsaw Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 34	Just came across this Nano-Reef thread, could be useful, $15 chiller http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/inde...owtopic=221026

08/12/2010, 01:10 PM	#16
Conrad25 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 556	That 15 dollar chillar is amazing. I am considering trying that out with a few heatsinks on them Conrad

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