Quick Chiller Question

phuntoon · 04/11/2007, 08:12 AM

I'm gonna get a 1/15hp chiller for my 29g. Question is, When I read the specs for it it says, min flow 300 max flow 600. Does this mean I need to get a separate pump to run it or does the chiller itself have an internal pump with flow adjuster? Thanks for any replies!

GTR · 04/11/2007, 08:36 AM

You must supply the pump. In your case I'd plumb the main return to go through the chiller rather than have an added pump. Of course that is if the pump will handle the added head.

SteveU

bstreep · 04/11/2007, 08:42 AM

When you choose a pump, go for the upper end, as the pump will lose efficiency as it ages. Also, unless it's on a closed loop, don't forget about head pressure.

phuntoon · 04/11/2007, 08:55 AM

I don't have a sump so it will be running on it's own. Sorry, I am not familiar with chillers at all. What kind of pump would you recommend and is it submersible or would it be outside the tank. Thanks again for your answers!

GTR · 04/11/2007, 09:32 AM

Somehow you've got to get water into the chiller and back to the tank since in your case you don't have a sump. Closed loop would do it but some suggest you shouldn't do "over the top" intakes for the loop. Is the tank glass?

SteveU

phuntoon · 04/11/2007, 11:21 AM

Yes it is a glass tank. I'm looking for a pump outside the tank because of the powerheads for flow and the powerhead that runs my skimmer are already in the tank. I don't want anymore "powerhead clutter" to ruin the look of the tank. Why do some suggest not going with an "over the top" setup for the chiller?

GTR · 04/11/2007, 02:30 PM

I don't see a problem with it but some (A. Calfo) say you'll shorten the life of a non-self priming pump substantially if you use it this way. I don't see it as a problem since the only time it would be off is in a power outage or when you need to do some deep maintenance. Even during those times the plumbing and the pump chamber would be full of water so it should just have a small amount of air to purge on restart.

SteveU

04/11/2007, 08:12 AM	#1
phuntoon Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 36	Quick Chiller Question I'm gonna get a 1/15hp chiller for my 29g. Question is, When I read the specs for it it says, min flow 300 max flow 600. Does this mean I need to get a separate pump to run it or does the chiller itself have an internal pump with flow adjuster? Thanks for any replies!

04/11/2007, 08:36 AM	#2
GTR Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Twin Falls, ID Posts: 7,152	You must supply the pump. In your case I'd plumb the main return to go through the chiller rather than have an added pump. Of course that is if the pump will handle the added head. SteveU __________________ AKA, Riff

04/11/2007, 08:42 AM	#3
bstreep Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 115	When you choose a pump, go for the upper end, as the pump will lose efficiency as it ages. Also, unless it's on a closed loop, don't forget about head pressure. __________________ Bill Current Tank Info: 215g Brick Reef, 55g Seahorse, 12nano

04/11/2007, 09:32 AM	#5
GTR Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Twin Falls, ID Posts: 7,152	Somehow you've got to get water into the chiller and back to the tank since in your case you don't have a sump. Closed loop would do it but some suggest you shouldn't do "over the top" intakes for the loop. Is the tank glass? SteveU __________________ AKA, Riff

04/11/2007, 02:30 PM	#7
GTR Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Twin Falls, ID Posts: 7,152	I don't see a problem with it but some (A. Calfo) say you'll shorten the life of a non-self priming pump substantially if you use it this way. I don't see it as a problem since the only time it would be off is in a power outage or when you need to do some deep maintenance. Even during those times the plumbing and the pump chamber would be full of water so it should just have a small amount of air to purge on restart. SteveU __________________ AKA, Riff

04/11/2007, 08:55 AM	#4
phuntoon Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 36	I don't have a sump so it will be running on it's own. Sorry, I am not familiar with chillers at all. What kind of pump would you recommend and is it submersible or would it be outside the tank. Thanks again for your answers!

04/11/2007, 11:21 AM	#6
phuntoon Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 36	Yes it is a glass tank. I'm looking for a pump outside the tank because of the powerheads for flow and the powerhead that runs my skimmer are already in the tank. I don't want anymore "powerhead clutter" to ruin the look of the tank. Why do some suggest not going with an "over the top" setup for the chiller?