Chiller help and choice

gatsby174 · 06/16/2014, 08:27 AM

I may be in need of a new chiller...
Last night my 1/4 hp jbj arctica started making terrible metal-on-metal vibration noises. However, it still chills well - I took it apart and added some spacer shims last night under the compressor mounts and will see how it works today. I did test the fan seperately, and that isn't the cause for the rattle. It sounds like the compressor itself is making the racket, which means that the chiller is junk (can't get a replacement compressor).

If I have to replace it, I was thinking of going with a 1/5hp Trade Winds in-line chiller. I have a 75 gallon tank, with a 30 gallon sump (sump is only half full). This unit is the same price of a jbj 1/4hp. Am I correct in assuming that the tradewinds will be big enough and is of better quality? I do like that it is made in the US too. Any other recommendations?

wcharon · 06/17/2014, 05:17 AM

My Artica has been working great for 10 years already but this summer is very hot overhere in PR and seems to not be enough becuase it finish cycling in 3 hours my 125 reef.

Chimming in to see what other guys recommend because i will like to make an upgrade too but my concern is should i change brands.

Green Chromis · 06/17/2014, 07:22 AM

I like the Trade Winds chillers, I have a 1 1/2 HP on my system. If the 1/5 HP BTU rating is the same as the 1/4 HP BTU rating then you are good to go, but if the 1/5 HP is less, you need to go with a 1/4 HP.

MikeTR · 12/03/2014, 02:00 PM

Gonna bump and older thread.. no sense making a new one. Those doing a search will find this one. I gotta recommend the Tradewinds chillers. Even though I'm having an issue with mine at the moment, Hal was quick to respond, within hours (unlike the A/C company I called) and is offering to fix it even though I'm just out of the warranty period (your mileage may vary) but no problems with it otherwise, it's been rock solid for 2 years. Can't say much about the A/C guy who came out unprepared, put me off for 2 weeks, hooked up some gauges, and left me with a $50 bill.

06/16/2014, 08:27 AM	#1
gatsby174 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Middleport, NY Posts: 124	Chiller help and choice I may be in need of a new chiller... Last night my 1/4 hp jbj arctica started making terrible metal-on-metal vibration noises. However, it still chills well - I took it apart and added some spacer shims last night under the compressor mounts and will see how it works today. I did test the fan seperately, and that isn't the cause for the rattle. It sounds like the compressor itself is making the racket, which means that the chiller is junk (can't get a replacement compressor). If I have to replace it, I was thinking of going with a 1/5hp Trade Winds in-line chiller. I have a 75 gallon tank, with a 30 gallon sump (sump is only half full). This unit is the same price of a jbj 1/4hp. Am I correct in assuming that the tradewinds will be big enough and is of better quality? I do like that it is made in the US too. Any other recommendations? __________________ 75g/30g sump 75lbs live rock Sunpower 6x54 T5 Apex controller mixed reef Current Tank Info: 75g

06/17/2014, 05:17 AM	#2
wcharon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 838	My Artica has been working great for 10 years already but this summer is very hot overhere in PR and seems to not be enough becuase it finish cycling in 3 hours my 125 reef. Chimming in to see what other guys recommend because i will like to make an upgrade too but my concern is should i change brands. __________________ 125 Gal. Reef Tank, Skimmer SRO-1000SSS (Old), Aquamaxx EM-200, Chiller Artica 1/4, BRS GFO/Carbon Reactor, Sunpower 6x80 Watt., Actinic ReefBrites, 2 Jebao RW-15, 3/4 Sea Swirl, HY-5000 Return Pump, Current Tank Info: 125 Gal. Reef, Chiller 1/4, Skimmer SRO SSS-1000 (Old), Aquamaxx EM-200, Aqua C UV, Actinic ReefBrites, Kore 5th. Doser, APEX Full

06/17/2014, 07:22 AM	#3
Green Chromis Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: miami,florida Posts: 640	I like the Trade Winds chillers, I have a 1 1/2 HP on my system. If the 1/5 HP BTU rating is the same as the 1/4 HP BTU rating then you are good to go, but if the 1/5 HP is less, you need to go with a 1/4 HP. __________________ Natural Reefer Current Tank Info: 600 gallon Carribean Reef System, ETSS Protein Skimmer, 1.5HP Tradewinds Chiller, Reef Breeders Photon V2+ LED Lighting For The Refugium, Mitra LX7206 LED Lights For Display Tank

12/03/2014, 02:00 PM	#4
MikeTR Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: SW FL Posts: 351	Gonna bump and older thread.. no sense making a new one. Those doing a search will find this one. I gotta recommend the Tradewinds chillers. Even though I'm having an issue with mine at the moment, Hal was quick to respond, within hours (unlike the A/C company I called) and is offering to fix it even though I'm just out of the warranty period (your mileage may vary) but no problems with it otherwise, it's been rock solid for 2 years. Can't say much about the A/C guy who came out unprepared, put me off for 2 weeks, hooked up some gauges, and left me with a $50 bill.