Need advice for 540 with 100 gal sump/ refugium

Pamela · 02/03/2006, 08:13 PM

Needing advice on a dependable chiller and does anyone know where to locate Kold-steril replacement filter/ media? Also does anyone have any experience with Nemo pumps? Thanks much, Pamela

Pamela · 02/04/2006, 08:52 AM

I would really appreciate your suggestions, I thought that asking this many with knowledge would allow me to make the best choices. Thanks again. Pamela

moonpod · 02/04/2006, 09:45 AM

I've got a system that is close in size to yours. I'd recommend the jbj 1hp commercial unit. The thing is I think that you're gonna need a 220v line for it (that's the case with almost all of the big chillers). My understanding is that it is pretty humid in OK. If it's not all that humid where you live then you can look at the deltec ecochillers--these are essentially "swamp coolers" that work by massive evaporative cooling--the caveat of course is that you need to have a good autotopoff system to go with one of these. The other caveat is that they don't work all that great in humid environments.

Nemo pumps I have no idea about

Pamela · 02/04/2006, 10:48 AM

Thanks for your thoughts moonpod. Forgive me if this is a stupid question but what would you think of a setup using a small airconditioner? The tank is going in a wall where everything in the back will be in a concrete building where a pool used to be. We can close in the area around the setup and insulate to make it more efficient leaving only enough space to tend to the system.

moonpod · 02/04/2006, 11:15 AM

Well certainly it helps and could be enough. You keep the ambient temps down and humidity down and of course the system temp gets lower. I dunno if it's more "effecient" though ya know? I dunno what's gonna cost more and if it's gonna be "enough".

The way I set my system up was this--Heat generation is to be kept to a minimum. My lighting is probably minimalistic (3x400w over a 10' long tank). Only two submerged pumps in the system (wavebox pumps). All other pumps are external low heat generating pumps. Lots of exposed water surface area for passive evaporation. So essentially I currently do not need a chiller. However, the room where the tank is does get pretty hot during the summer and doesn't have AC, so I am planning to have a chiller hooked up by the summer.

BTW I dunno about the koldfilter refills. They should be available anywhere that sells polyfilter (same company).

Pamela · 02/04/2006, 12:20 PM

I too have 3 400mhs from the old system we are going to use but this tank is only 8' long but wider. Perhaps a chiller would indeed be the safest way to go as this will be my beloved rosies new home. They have for the last 2 yrs been in the 240 without a chiller but the tank is in the house.This one will be in our garden room that is cooled with a swamp cooler. Maybe this will require both to keep them safe and happy. As for the Kold-Sterile filters, I would not reccomend that system to anyone as the filters have been almost impossibe to find. Thanks again for your help, Pamela

02/03/2006, 08:13 PM	#1
Pamela Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Jones Oklahoma Posts: 576	Need advice for 540 with 100 gal sump/ refugium Needing advice on a dependable chiller and does anyone know where to locate Kold-steril replacement filter/ media? Also does anyone have any experience with Nemo pumps? Thanks much, Pamela Last edited by Pamela; 02/03/2006 at 08:57 PM.

02/04/2006, 09:45 AM	#3
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	I've got a system that is close in size to yours. I'd recommend the jbj 1hp commercial unit. The thing is I think that you're gonna need a 220v line for it (that's the case with almost all of the big chillers). My understanding is that it is pretty humid in OK. If it's not all that humid where you live then you can look at the deltec ecochillers--these are essentially "swamp coolers" that work by massive evaporative cooling--the caveat of course is that you need to have a good autotopoff system to go with one of these. The other caveat is that they don't work all that great in humid environments. Nemo pumps I have no idea about __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

02/04/2006, 11:15 AM	#5
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	Well certainly it helps and could be enough. You keep the ambient temps down and humidity down and of course the system temp gets lower. I dunno if it's more "effecient" though ya know? I dunno what's gonna cost more and if it's gonna be "enough". The way I set my system up was this--Heat generation is to be kept to a minimum. My lighting is probably minimalistic (3x400w over a 10' long tank). Only two submerged pumps in the system (wavebox pumps). All other pumps are external low heat generating pumps. Lots of exposed water surface area for passive evaporation. So essentially I currently do not need a chiller. However, the room where the tank is does get pretty hot during the summer and doesn't have AC, so I am planning to have a chiller hooked up by the summer. BTW I dunno about the koldfilter refills. They should be available anywhere that sells polyfilter (same company). __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

02/04/2006, 08:52 AM	#2
Pamela Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Jones Oklahoma Posts: 576	I would really appreciate your suggestions, I thought that asking this many with knowledge would allow me to make the best choices. Thanks again. Pamela

02/04/2006, 10:48 AM	#4
Pamela Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Jones Oklahoma Posts: 576	Thanks for your thoughts moonpod. Forgive me if this is a stupid question but what would you think of a setup using a small airconditioner? The tank is going in a wall where everything in the back will be in a concrete building where a pool used to be. We can close in the area around the setup and insulate to make it more efficient leaving only enough space to tend to the system.

02/04/2006, 12:20 PM	#6
Pamela Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Jones Oklahoma Posts: 576	I too have 3 400mhs from the old system we are going to use but this tank is only 8' long but wider. Perhaps a chiller would indeed be the safest way to go as this will be my beloved rosies new home. They have for the last 2 yrs been in the 240 without a chiller but the tank is in the house.This one will be in our garden room that is cooled with a swamp cooler. Maybe this will require both to keep them safe and happy. As for the Kold-Sterile filters, I would not reccomend that system to anyone as the filters have been almost impossibe to find. Thanks again for your help, Pamela