How long do new JBJ Chillers last?

Jyetman · 08/08/2013, 06:35 PM

Do aquarium chillers last more then two years or do they typically break after the warranty runs out? I bought a jbj 1/5 HP 1.5 Years ago and wonder if it's reliable enough to keep a few more years?

reeftivo · 08/08/2013, 11:38 PM

My arctics 1/10 has been running for 6 years. I just back flush it twice a year and clean the air filter. It's been running a little louder the last year, so maybe the compressor is getting tired. It's not too loud though. It's just something I've noticed for a while.

JMN68 · 08/09/2013, 01:15 AM

I have had my chiller for over eight years and it is still running strong. At the beginning of the year, I would back flush my chiller and clean out the coils.

Ron Reefman · 08/09/2013, 04:02 AM

I used my 1/10th hp JBJ for about 4 years and it's still working for the person I sold it to 4 years ago (so 8 years total). And it was way more quiet than a couple of other chillers I have owned. Now I have a 1hp AquaEuro hasn't missed a beat in 4 years and it sits outside on the north wall (shady) of the house in SW Florida! But the last 8 months it hasn't had to work very hard because I switched from MH to led. So it runs about 10%-20% as much as it did before (we keep our house at 80F over night and 84F in the afternoon, so the chiller does still have some work to do in the summertime).

ca1ore · 08/09/2013, 07:31 AM

I have had three chillers in my reefing career. Never was particularly diligent about maintaining them, kept them outside (though protected from rain) and ran them pretty hard - even so, got 6 years out of the first two, and sold the third after 4 years.

Mmiller40gt · 08/09/2013, 08:37 AM

I got a old drop it about 15 years old. Works like a champ. Actually froze my sump close to solid once.

bowfront · 08/09/2013, 08:42 AM

I ran my 1/5 hp JBJ for 5 years with hardly any care other than clean the filter not very often. Never any problems.

ReachTheSky · 08/09/2013, 10:45 AM

I ran my 1/4hp for 2-3 years and it ran like a champ. The guy I sold it to has been running it for nearly a year now. Still running strong.

h0bite · 08/09/2013, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMN68

I have had my chiller for over eight years and it is still running strong. At the beginning of the year, I would back flush my chiller and clean out the coils.

What do mean .....back flush my chiller ?
I think I never do that in 3 years....I just clean the air filter every week.
Thanks

reeftivo · 08/09/2013, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0bite

What do mean .....back flush my chiller ?
I think I never do that in 3 years....I just clean the air filter every week.
Thanks

disconnecting the feed pump and put it on the outflow side. The lines build up sludge after a while which will effect the performance. If you put it on the outflow it will blow most of the sludge out the other end.

JMN68 · 08/09/2013, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reeftivo

disconnecting the feed pump and put it on the outflow side. The lines build up sludge after a while which will effect the performance. If you put it on the outflow it will blow most of the sludge out the other end.

Yes, that is it. It is just preventive maintenance because I think most of us don't want to drop $500 to $600 on a replacement chiller.

h0bite · 08/09/2013, 05:28 PM

Ok thanks!
So.I will try it tonight....I will plug the feeding pump in the outflow side...and all the scrap will go out by inflow plug.
That it that all ??
Thanks

Mmiller40gt · 08/09/2013, 06:24 PM

I pull my wife chiller an fill it with vinegar. The cold seems to cause calcium deposits.

08/08/2013, 06:35 PM	#1
Jyetman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,712	How long do new JBJ Chillers last? Do aquarium chillers last more then two years or do they typically break after the warranty runs out? I bought a jbj 1/5 HP 1.5 Years ago and wonder if it's reliable enough to keep a few more years?

08/08/2013, 11:38 PM	#2
reeftivo Skim junkie Join Date: May 2008 Location: chino, CA Posts: 3,417	My arctics 1/10 has been running for 6 years. I just back flush it twice a year and clean the air filter. It's been running a little louder the last year, so maybe the compressor is getting tired. It's not too loud though. It's just something I've noticed for a while. __________________ I told you not to be stupid you moron!(Stern) Current Tank Info: 60 gal cube/20g tideline sump-mixed reef, Aquamaxx c-tech Ca Rx, Akula 160 skimmer, paxbellum N18, mitras LX7 lighting with T-5s, apex controller

08/09/2013, 04:02 AM	#4
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I used my 1/10th hp JBJ for about 4 years and it's still working for the person I sold it to 4 years ago (so 8 years total). And it was way more quiet than a couple of other chillers I have owned. Now I have a 1hp AquaEuro hasn't missed a beat in 4 years and it sits outside on the north wall (shady) of the house in SW Florida! But the last 8 months it hasn't had to work very hard because I switched from MH to led. So it runs about 10%-20% as much as it did before (we keep our house at 80F over night and 84F in the afternoon, so the chiller does still have some work to do in the summertime). __________________ 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

08/09/2013, 10:45 AM	#8
ReachTheSky Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 1,114	I ran my 1/4hp for 2-3 years and it ran like a champ. The guy I sold it to has been running it for nearly a year now. Still running strong. __________________ Van Current tank: 7.5g Nano-Reef \| Modified AquaClear50 \| RapidLED Par38 bulb \| 2x Koralia 240gph

08/09/2013, 01:15 AM	#3
JMN68 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 31	I have had my chiller for over eight years and it is still running strong. At the beginning of the year, I would back flush my chiller and clean out the coils.

08/09/2013, 07:31 AM	#5
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I have had three chillers in my reefing career. Never was particularly diligent about maintaining them, kept them outside (though protected from rain) and ran them pretty hard - even so, got 6 years out of the first two, and sold the third after 4 years.

08/09/2013, 08:37 AM	#6
Mmiller40gt arrogant reefer Join Date: May 2012 Location: N Texas Posts: 687	I got a old drop it about 15 years old. Works like a champ. Actually froze my sump close to solid once.

08/09/2013, 08:42 AM	#7
bowfront 10 & Over Club Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,663	I ran my 1/5 hp JBJ for 5 years with hardly any care other than clean the filter not very often. Never any problems.

08/09/2013, 05:28 PM	#12
h0bite Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Posts: 253	Ok thanks! So.I will try it tonight....I will plug the feeding pump in the outflow side...and all the scrap will go out by inflow plug. That it that all ?? Thanks

08/09/2013, 06:24 PM	#13
Mmiller40gt arrogant reefer Join Date: May 2012 Location: N Texas Posts: 687	I pull my wife chiller an fill it with vinegar. The cold seems to cause calcium deposits.