Chiller advice please

[regal]

I am thinking about putting in a chiller as one of my winter projects. My total volume is about 550-600g. I've been looking at the 3/4HP to 1HP chillers. My problem is I don't have a 220V outlet for most the the 1HP chiller other than the pacific coast. My second problem is that I have limited space and I will have to put the chiller in a "closet" space which measure about 36"x32"x22". Air circulation will be an issue. RIght now, I am leaning toward the pacific coast 1HP. I need to know the orientation of the water intake, the air intake and exhaust and the digital control to see if it will work. Any inputs will be appreciated.

 

[Dre]

What was the highest temp.in the tank last summer?Is it possible to run a separate circuit for the chiller ?The amperage of the chiller is important as well.

 

[madreefer]

I will give you a look at what i went thru. My tank is a 125g and the room its in has skylights and multi windows nothing aiming at tank though. Anyway i picked up the 1/2hp Pacific Coast Chiller and hooked it up under my tank. mistake 1 used a regular pump Rio 2100 high head mistake 2. waited until the hottest day to run it mistake 3. Where as the unit was turning on and off all day until the unit overheated and crapped out. I have found That you need to get a pump that will deliver at least 600gph at the end run of your discharge into your tank. so my tank hose length was about 6ft so i had to have a pump that measured 600gph at 6ft head. My rio didnt make it. Also you need at least 1 ft in front of the chiller and 2 behind it for ventilation. Also you should be looking for a titanium unit.

I eneded up getting a JBJ from my LPS couldn't afford to lose anything after mine crapped out. I also had to upgrade to a magdrive 5000 high head to pump thru the chiller and place it outside of my stand with room for the chiller to breath and it works great.
I also found that online you really cant get a true rating on what the chiller actually cools. The pacific coast i got was rated online for a 125-180 but according to the guys at Pacific Coast tis for a 225g.
I do have to give big ups to the guys at Pacific Coast they really helped me out trouble shooting my unit and then totally swapped it out for me thanks guys.
Sorry for the long winded post but i think you really gotta research the chiller your getting before you end up eith something that will no work. And if you decide to get a PC call them up i am sure they will help you out picking the right one. Hope this helps ....

 

[regal]

What was the highest temp.in the tank last summer?Is it possible to run a separate circuit for the chiller ?The amperage of the chiller is important as well.

I have taken the power requirement of the chiller into consideration also. I have 2 separate 20 amp circuits to run the tank. As far as the temp goes, I don't allow the temp to get over 83.5 degrees by turning the 2 MHs off. So there were days that the tank had only one 400W MH all day or days with the other 2 on for only a couple hours. The SPS are much happier in the winter months when all 3 MHs are on as you can image.

 

[Dre]

I have a DSI.1/4 hp about 4 amps on my 90 gal tank .I have it now for 10 years with no problems but i think i need a 1/3 hp because my tank temp. goes to 88-90 in the summer months.I keep the temp. at 77-78 it runs for about 1/2 hour to bring the temp. down 1 degree now if the temp. went to 82-84 in the summer i don't think i would need a bigger chiller.A lot goes into selecting the right chiller IMO.The Delta Star in line i have make some noise but it does the job with the use of a controller.Some of the Current chillers are very quiet .

 

[Brian65901]

The way a chiller works it takes the coolness from one area and brings it to another if your unit is going to be in a closet it will never work up to its capacity as the closet only has a minimal amount of air for heat transfer. See if you can vent that closet somehow if you don't it will work well or for long if you PM me with you # I can probably give you some advice I used to work on commercial refrigeration in the Navy and we always had to fix problems that were difficult.

 

[Tim]

If it is going to be in a closet put one of those vented doors that they use for room`s w/boilers.Like this:http://www.source4doors.com/shop/commerce.cgi?pid=207n

 

[regal]

Well, this is the "closet" that I was referring to. I have access to the tank which is behind the plywood and the drywall. The holes that I cut out is for the ethernet cable of the ACIII. I will have to remove the plywood and cut out the drywall to get more space for the chiller and the plumbing. I understand that air flow is important for the chiller to work. I will have to leave the closet door open for ventilation and use a fan if I have to.

 

[cali_reef]

The little space is going to be HOT and any chiller in that space will NOT work very efficiently, regardless the size of the motor\compressor.

I have always run my chillers outside of a living space. All you will be doing is putting more heat back into the room, beyond what you are trying to take out of the tank, which will worm the room even more.

 

[regal]

I know Cali. But that's the only space that I have. The closet is in the basement while the tank is half a level up. (It is a split-level home). The steps you see on the right goes up to the Den and the tank is on the left. To the right of the Den is the exit to the backyard. So the heat will be exiting into the basement which is cooler than the main level. I am hoping that using a fan to circulate the air will make this work.

 

[alrha]

at least you will be warming a different room than where the tank is (my chiller is in my fish room).
I have a TradeWinds Compact 1/2HP and am very happy with it (mine is drop in, so i didnt have to worry about plumbing/pumps). Just remember that most chillers aren't exactly silent if it is close to your living areas you will hear it (from both the chiller and your wife)

 

[regal]

at least you will be warming a different room than where the tank is (my chiller is in my fish room).
I have a TradeWinds Compact 1/2HP and am very happy with it (mine is drop in, so i didnt have to worry about plumbing/pumps). Just remember that most chillers aren't exactly silent if it is close to your living areas you will hear it (from both the chiller and your wife)

What is the total volume of your system?

 

[alrha]

Total volume is 300 Gal (187 in Display / 113 in Sump&Fuge in Basement Fish Room)

 

[madreefer]

you will probably have to get a larger pump so that the water will flow through the chiller properly .

 

[pecan2phat]

John,
It won't work. You need to keep the chiller out in the open room. The higher the ambient temperature in the enclosed space is, the chiller will be less efficient to the point where it can not pull down the water temperature any longer.
My chiller stops cooling the water temperature when the ambient room temperature goes to 86 degrees and above.

 

[regal]

John,
It won't work. You need to keep the chiller out in the open room. The higher the ambient temperature in the enclosed space is, the chiller will be less efficient to the point where it can not pull down the water temperature any longer.
My chiller stops cooling the water temperature when the ambient room temperature goes to 86 degrees and above.

I know it will be the best to have more open space. I am hoping leaving the closet door open with ventilation fans will make it work. I do know for sure that I can't keep the closet closed with the chiller running in there.

 

[smoknreefrs]

so what was the verdict??? what chiller did you choose?

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

Regal.....if it is vented properly than I would get a Tradewind...if you are going to cram it in a room. The only option for you is a water cooled unit. Not as efficient but can work in spaces or should I say lack off. http://seavisions.com/prod03.htm .

 

[KathyC]

While Regal may answer this thread - keep in mind the thread is from October 2009.

He may not actively be looking at installing this chiller currently

 

[smoknreefrs]

figured as much, but, this is like reading a good book....