My saltwater tank is running on the hot side.

powers2001

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My tank is running in the 81-83F range. I have a fan running and it gave me a 4 degree pull down. I don't want to have to get a new chiller but I have a 1/15hp JBJ chiller that's rated for 40 gallons. My system is 70 gallons. I don't know if the chiller I have now will get me enough pull down. I expect my tank to run in the stated temp. range for the remainder of the summer. Will my fish and corals be okay in that range if I decide to leave it as is? Should I try to run my JBJ chiller and risk burning it up by running it full bore? Should I spend the money on a new chiller while I don't have a job and the cash will be hard to come by?

Thought?
 

Mr tap water

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As long as you don't go above 86 F for long periods of time you should be alright Good luck


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Mr. E Wrasse

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I had bad experience with my jbj chiller a few years ago. Summer comes every year so eventually you will have to get a new chiller because that one will burn out so id just get a new one now... oceanics are great!
 

Rob&Gab

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TIME TO START ADDING R/0 WATER ICE CUBES.! works like a charm and its a life saver to freeze some. you never no when your going to need them.
 

Liquid360

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Ice cubes work wonderfully for all of the few minutes it takes to melt. You'd have to have one heck of a freezer cranking out ice all summer 24/7. Not gonna happen. Like it was said you're ok so long as you can keep 83. Much higher for long periods of time isn't much good. In my opinion risk your chiller. If you can't use it now why bother having one?
 
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powers2001

powers2001

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If I get a new chiller it will be quite a bit oversized because when I get a bigger place I'll want a bigger tank. So I'm looking at a chiller in the 150 to 200 gallon range. 1/5 hp or 1/4 hp. They jump from 1/10 hp up to fifth or quarter horse power. AquaEuroUsa has some real good prices on MD and they don't build anything between one tenth and one quarter hp.

I Guess I'll just start saving my money and in the meantime watch my temps like a hawkfish.
 

jasonrodreef

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Check the water flow through the chiller..Slow it down you get alittle more contact with cooling coils. Slow it down to much and it has a reverse effect to fast and its pointless to have chiller.
Slow it up an check with your hand if it blows any cooler..also check that the "radiator" is clean air filter screen is clean. Just a thought
 

Liquid360

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For those of us in need of a seasonal chiller I highly recommend a probe chiller over the inline. It's MUCH easier to use and maintain. When summer ends you pull out the probe, pack it up and put away. No muss no fuss.
 
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powers2001

powers2001

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They certainly are convenient but much less efficient. It has to do with inlines and how the many coils wrap around the condenser I think. It might be looking into if they are similar in price.
 

Liquid360

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They are efficient in the extreme. I've got a 1/2hp coil that can drop a 200g tank by 20deg in under 30min. I've had both and I assure you they extremely efficient.
 

Liquid360

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A 1/2hp probe is FAR more efficient and powerful than a 1/hp inline. This assumes of course that you have good flow/circ through your sump. A probe also allows you to cool your water for water changes prior to using. If your tank is hot odds are your r/o water is as well. They are far easier to maintain and will last much longer. I sold my inline and kept probe.
 
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powers2001

powers2001

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Well you've peaked my interest and here's what I've came up with on google shopping:

[url]http://www.tropicalriverandreef.com/tradewind-drop-in-chiller---1-5-hp.html


T[/URL]his will work for a 120 gallon tank. Convenience, power, efficiency, and economy in one package. Thanks Liquid360!
First I'm setting an alarm on my reefkeeper to go off if the temp goes over 86 degrees and to note for how long. Then I'll try my JBJ if needed. If my JBJ doesn't work I'll be forced to buy a new chiller.
 

bucksfan1976

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Best bang for the buck I have found are these.

AQUATEK ChillMaster Aquarium Cooling Fan 4 Fan Model (AQT-F04) on eBay! use to have a 150 Gallon Tall that had 4 t5s and 2 x 250 watt halides and I could never get the temp under 80. Also be advised I had a solid canopy on the tank I put 2 of these over my sump and my tank never went above 76 after that including in the summer. I wish I would have seen this a week ago because I gave them away. Just get 2 of them , and have them blow air across the water surface. It took a couple days but it worked. Saved me so much hassle. For the money for a new chiller you could get you 2 of these plus a controller (reef keeper lite) and just have them kick on when the tank hits a certain temp. You would only have $250 in the fans and controller instead of $700 for a chiller.
 

Liquid360

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I believe my father once had a tradewinds probe chiller. Was great if memory serves. It looks perfect to me! After having had an inline I believe you'll love it should it come to that. Sorry you're having the problem. You'll be shocked at how quickly it cools.
 

pickupman66

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In my experience, 83 aint bad. 84 isnt either but from my past experiences, my old 75 used to see 84 on a daily basis in the summer times. temp swings are what kill more than anything else. but you dont want it above 85, 86 in any case.... I would not sweat my tank now running to 84 in the summer time. it is on a chiller now that is set to 79 so its pretty stable year round.
 
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powers2001

powers2001

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Best bang for the buck I have found are these.

AQUATEK ChillMaster Aquarium Cooling Fan 4 Fan Model (AQT-F04) on eBay! use to have a 150 Gallon Tall that had 4 t5s and 2 x 250 watt halides and I could never get the temp under 80. Also be advised I had a solid canopy on the tank I put 2 of these over my sump and my tank never went above 76 after that including in the summer. I wish I would have seen this a week ago because I gave them away. Just get 2 of them , and have them blow air across the water surface. It took a couple days but it worked. Saved me so much hassle. For the money for a new chiller you could get you 2 of these plus a controller (reef keeper lite) and just have them kick on when the tank hits a certain temp. You would only have $250 in the fans and controller instead of $700 for a chiller.
I have one of the very same thing on my sump right now. Gave me a 3-4 degree pull-down. Maybe I should get another? Problem is with the hinges they pull air that is over the sump and push it out. I wish it could blow air the other way: across the top of sump.

Another thing I could do is take off the acrylic tops but I'm afraid the fish will jump out. I've had that happen several times. I guess BRS sells a diy netting with frame kit. That would work good.
 

Liquid360

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Here is the one I've got...
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1370965309.538155.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1370965367.151650.jpg
 

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