Lowest chiller temperature

siluriform · 02/13/2014, 10:39 AM

Hi guys, first post here.

I'm asking on behalf of a friend, who has access to deep water species and would like to maintain them in the aquarium.

Would a chiller (Only brand available is Hailea) be able to chill a 30-40 gallon tank down to say 8-12 degrees celsius? The surrounding temperature would range from 24-28 degrees all year round. Also thinking of using styrofoam or some insulating material to insulate the tank. Would an acrylic tank be more suitable?
Size of chiller, as well as tank specs and filter system are still being discussed, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

Kyuss · 02/13/2014, 12:12 PM

Acrylic would definitely be better suited than glass.

With a delta T of 20°C, you would have to oversize the chiller a bit, but even without all the specifics for a 40G tank (any sump?) you're talking around 1/10HP chiller, give or take - Hailea doesn't list much for technical data either, but it should be around there. Best bet would be to contact them directly to narrow down which one would be best.

siluriform · 02/13/2014, 01:19 PM

Thanks for the reply Kyuss.

Was thinking of a internal overflow system for filtration, but considering your estimate, cooling the tank by 20°C be entirely possible? I'd emailed Hailea last week but to no avail, perhaps a JBJ Artica 1/10 chiller would be a good bet if he can find a second hand unit.

Kyuss · 02/13/2014, 06:22 PM

Yup definitely. It's a small enough volume where oversizing the chiller still leaves you in aquarium chiller territory. I was actually figuring a sump already (it doesn't change the chiller size significantly) and the JBJ would be fine even with a 20g sump.

Stuff like going with acrylic, Insulating tank/sump and plumbing as much as possible, and dumping the heat away from the tank and equipment will go quite a way in increasing efficiency.

shifty51008 · 02/13/2014, 06:49 PM

You will want a thick acrylic tank for this or your gonna get alot of condinsation.

02/13/2014, 10:39 AM	#1
siluriform Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Singapore Posts: 2	Lowest chiller temperature Hi guys, first post here. I'm asking on behalf of a friend, who has access to deep water species and would like to maintain them in the aquarium. Would a chiller (Only brand available is Hailea) be able to chill a 30-40 gallon tank down to say 8-12 degrees celsius? The surrounding temperature would range from 24-28 degrees all year round. Also thinking of using styrofoam or some insulating material to insulate the tank. Would an acrylic tank be more suitable? Size of chiller, as well as tank specs and filter system are still being discussed, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

02/13/2014, 06:49 PM	#5
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	You will want a thick acrylic tank for this or your gonna get alot of condinsation. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

02/13/2014, 12:12 PM	#2
Kyuss Megistered Rember Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 470	Acrylic would definitely be better suited than glass. With a delta T of 20°C, you would have to oversize the chiller a bit, but even without all the specifics for a 40G tank (any sump?) you're talking around 1/10HP chiller, give or take - Hailea doesn't list much for technical data either, but it should be around there. Best bet would be to contact them directly to narrow down which one would be best.

02/13/2014, 01:19 PM	#3
siluriform Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Singapore Posts: 2	Thanks for the reply Kyuss. Was thinking of a internal overflow system for filtration, but considering your estimate, cooling the tank by 20°C be entirely possible? I'd emailed Hailea last week but to no avail, perhaps a JBJ Artica 1/10 chiller would be a good bet if he can find a second hand unit.

02/13/2014, 06:22 PM	#4
Kyuss Megistered Rember Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 470	Yup definitely. It's a small enough volume where oversizing the chiller still leaves you in aquarium chiller territory. I was actually figuring a sump already (it doesn't change the chiller size significantly) and the JBJ would be fine even with a 20g sump. Stuff like going with acrylic, Insulating tank/sump and plumbing as much as possible, and dumping the heat away from the tank and equipment will go quite a way in increasing efficiency.