What is the longevity of Arctica Chillers

Jyetman · 10/10/2015, 09:55 PM

I bought a JBJ Arctica 1/5 HP new in box back in 2012 should I sell this chiller before it blows up? It seems stuff made for the fish industry doesn't last long.

rgulrich · 10/11/2015, 04:15 AM

Basic chiller parts seem to last okay, but the plastic fittings get brittle and break with age. I've got a larger model I used for a number of years and ended up replacing the barb fittings when I reply bed the old 180. And those little plastic fittings were stinking expensive, too.
Hence, it's in the garage with some other bulky and currently unused equipment now.

Ron Reefman · 10/11/2015, 06:34 AM

I used JBJ Arctica chillers for up to 5 years without issue and only sold them because I went bigger. I've got a 1hp Aqua Euro chiller located out behind my house (north wall in sunny Florida) in a plastic cabinet with ventilation and it's run problem free for 5 years now.

Jyetman · 10/12/2015, 07:36 PM

Thanks for info

atreis · 10/13/2015, 04:25 AM

8 years and going strong here. Mine is located in a dark area which might help with keeping the plastic fittings from getting brittle.

Jyetman · 10/13/2015, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atreis

8 years and going strong here. Mine is located in a dark area which might help with keeping the plastic fittings from getting brittle.

Do you ever back flush your chiller? Is it really necessary mine has never been done in the three years I've owned it and it still cools in the same amount of time.

nickdo · 10/13/2015, 07:32 PM

don't use chiller from aquarium industry.

Modify a household air conditioner and change indoor unit to titanium heat exchanger. it can heat or cool down water depends on which household air conditioner u brought. You will be amazed by its efficiency. It reduce half electricity from keeping temperature in my case.

SkullV · 10/14/2015, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jyetman

Do you ever back flush your chiller? Is it really necessary mine has never been done in the three years I've owned it and it still cools in the same amount of time.

I just backflushed my JBJ with vinegar after 3 years of use and it was filthy inside. Cooling efficiency seems about the same but the flow inside is dramatically increased. It increased so much that I had to adjust the siphon on my beananimal.

I actually took it offline to replace the start relay ($3 part if you get it from the AC shop) so I figured a back flush with vinegar. Nothing else has gone wrong with it since it was new.

atreis · 10/15/2015, 04:42 AM

I backflush mine every couple years and always get lots of stuff out. I've never noticed a change in how long it runs, but yes, do backflush.

sorto21 · 10/17/2015, 01:38 AM

So I never backflushed mine and I didn't even know I had to. Well I didn't read the instructions. But I had mine for 4 years now and now the compressor is messed up since it won't chill unless I give it a little love tap. I took it to JBJ and they say the compressor is bad now and that I can't repair it. So now I'm looking for a chiller. IF anyone knows of someone selling a 1/4 HP let me know.

SkullV · 10/17/2015, 09:56 PM

bring it to an AC shop. These are all just small refrigerator and window AC compressors. Usually WAY cheaper to repair than buy a new one. Can also find used compressors.

Jyetman · 10/25/2015, 04:31 PM

bump

10/10/2015, 09:55 PM	#1
Jyetman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,712	What is the longevity of Arctica Chillers I bought a JBJ Arctica 1/5 HP new in box back in 2012 should I sell this chiller before it blows up? It seems stuff made for the fish industry doesn't last long.

10/11/2015, 04:15 AM	#2
rgulrich greybeard Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: MD Posts: 893	Basic chiller parts seem to last okay, but the plastic fittings get brittle and break with age. I've got a larger model I used for a number of years and ended up replacing the barb fittings when I reply bed the old 180. And those little plastic fittings were stinking expensive, too. Hence, it's in the garage with some other bulky and currently unused equipment now. __________________ The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination. Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: 360 degree walk around 300 DD island–4 300W & 2 165W ViparSpectra, 4 Kessil A350W, 2 A360WE, 3 XF150, 1 XF250, 1 XF350 Gyre along with 2 PP40 and 2 IceCap 3K gyre for robust current. Basement 150 gallon RubberMaid sump, SKIMZ skimmer, DCP18000

10/11/2015, 06:34 AM	#3
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I used JBJ Arctica chillers for up to 5 years without issue and only sold them because I went bigger. I've got a 1hp Aqua Euro chiller located out behind my house (north wall in sunny Florida) in a plastic cabinet with ventilation and it's run problem free for 5 years now. __________________ 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

10/13/2015, 04:25 AM	#5
atreis Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Yellow Springs, OH Posts: 942	8 years and going strong here. Mine is located in a dark area which might help with keeping the plastic fittings from getting brittle. __________________ reef tank up since 8/2009. Previous tank up since 4/2004, taken down in 2007. Current Tank Info: custom 100g reef, custom sump

10/15/2015, 04:42 AM	#9
atreis Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Yellow Springs, OH Posts: 942	I backflush mine every couple years and always get lots of stuff out. I've never noticed a change in how long it runs, but yes, do backflush. __________________ reef tank up since 8/2009. Previous tank up since 4/2004, taken down in 2007. Current Tank Info: custom 100g reef, custom sump

10/12/2015, 07:36 PM	#4
Jyetman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,712	Thanks for info

10/13/2015, 07:32 PM	#7
nickdo Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 149	don't use chiller from aquarium industry. Modify a household air conditioner and change indoor unit to titanium heat exchanger. it can heat or cool down water depends on which household air conditioner u brought. You will be amazed by its efficiency. It reduce half electricity from keeping temperature in my case.

10/17/2015, 01:38 AM	#10
sorto21 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 2	So I never backflushed mine and I didn't even know I had to. Well I didn't read the instructions. But I had mine for 4 years now and now the compressor is messed up since it won't chill unless I give it a little love tap. I took it to JBJ and they say the compressor is bad now and that I can't repair it. So now I'm looking for a chiller. IF anyone knows of someone selling a 1/4 HP let me know.

10/17/2015, 09:56 PM	#11
SkullV They Got My Number Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 6,898	bring it to an AC shop. These are all just small refrigerator and window AC compressors. Usually WAY cheaper to repair than buy a new one. Can also find used compressors.

10/25/2015, 04:31 PM	#12
Jyetman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,712	bump