Do I Chill?

brucesly · 08/15/2007, 12:16 AM

Hello again!

Just want to get people's opinion on a chiller? Go or No go?

I'm planning to upgrade to MH. 2x 250w MH 10k w/ 2x 96w PC for actinics. Is chiller necessary? or can I keep my fan system?

My fans I'm running right now is 2x 4" IceCap fans which is kinda overkill right now in my canopy w/ my 4x 96w PC. I can get my temp down to 74F with both running and a steady 80F with only one fan (summertime).

Before I make the light purchase, I wanted to see if I need to invest in chiller also. Lights w/ ballast already tapping me out and if chiller is gonna have to be purchased also, Might have to hold out on MH.

Thanks again for all yers help!

schoch79 · 08/15/2007, 12:23 AM

I would say no chiller. You can always suspend the lights higher off of the tank, shorter light cycle, run both fans, and just remember there are lots of people out there that don't run chillers. On the other hand I would hands down say that if you had the money for it buy one no questions asked. But that is obviously not the case. I wouldn't buy one in your shoes.

Nano Chris · 08/15/2007, 05:32 AM

I would go ahead and buy the lighting, see how high the temperature gets with the fans running, wait it out a month or so than if it gets too high than buy a chiller, most people don't need a chiller and can get by with just fans, it also runs your electricity up too.

der_wille_zur_macht · 08/15/2007, 05:54 AM

One more vote for holding off on the chiller. I've had tanks with incredibly intense lighting, and have never needed one, though you sometimes have to get creative with cooling - lots of fans, canopies that are open on the top and/or back, good ventilation around the sump, etc.

der_wille_zur_macht · 08/15/2007, 05:56 AM

PS - an obvious consideration is the environment you're keeping your tanks in. I live in the northeast, it's generally a pretty cool climate. If I lived in Arizona or something, I'd definitely want one, at least as backup in case my home's A/C was down for a few days.

08/15/2007, 12:16 AM	#1
brucesly Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 42	Do I Chill? Hello again! Just want to get people's opinion on a chiller? Go or No go? I'm planning to upgrade to MH. 2x 250w MH 10k w/ 2x 96w PC for actinics. Is chiller necessary? or can I keep my fan system? My fans I'm running right now is 2x 4" IceCap fans which is kinda overkill right now in my canopy w/ my 4x 96w PC. I can get my temp down to 74F with both running and a steady 80F with only one fan (summertime). Before I make the light purchase, I wanted to see if I need to invest in chiller also. Lights w/ ballast already tapping me out and if chiller is gonna have to be purchased also, Might have to hold out on MH. Thanks again for all yers help! __________________ Brucesly has another question... Current Tank Info: 72g bow-front monstrosity, Aquaclear 110 powerfilter, aquac remora pro, 1x MJmod Maxijet 900 w/ 2x Maxijet 900, 2 x 250w MH Ushio 10k, 2 x Dual Actinic 96w PC, 80lbs. Liverock, 3in. sand bed

08/15/2007, 12:23 AM	#2
schoch79 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: hegins,pa Posts: 1,071	I would say no chiller. You can always suspend the lights higher off of the tank, shorter light cycle, run both fans, and just remember there are lots of people out there that don't run chillers. On the other hand I would hands down say that if you had the money for it buy one no questions asked. But that is obviously not the case. I wouldn't buy one in your shoes. __________________ We'd better get back, 'cause it'll be dark soon, and they mostly come at night... mostly.

08/15/2007, 05:32 AM	#3
Nano Chris Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,758	I would go ahead and buy the lighting, see how high the temperature gets with the fans running, wait it out a month or so than if it gets too high than buy a chiller, most people don't need a chiller and can get by with just fans, it also runs your electricity up too. __________________ Chris ------- 34 Gallon Red Sea Max 130! Setup (Just got back into the hobby) Current Tank Info: 34 Gallon RedSeaMax!

08/15/2007, 05:54 AM	#4
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	One more vote for holding off on the chiller. I've had tanks with incredibly intense lighting, and have never needed one, though you sometimes have to get creative with cooling - lots of fans, canopies that are open on the top and/or back, good ventilation around the sump, etc. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

08/15/2007, 05:56 AM	#5
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	PS - an obvious consideration is the environment you're keeping your tanks in. I live in the northeast, it's generally a pretty cool climate. If I lived in Arizona or something, I'd definitely want one, at least as backup in case my home's A/C was down for a few days. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)