Should I get a Chiller?

[Troylee]

Tankguy and troylee, what kind of lighting do you have? Are your tanks sps dominated? I wouldn't worry as much about the chiller if I was still lps and sofites, but I have a lot more sps.

I have two 250w metal halides overdriven and 250watts if vhos in my canopy... The bulbs are about 8" off the waters surface... The tank is strictly sps I have almost 90 different acros Now lol.....;)

 

[Troylee]

one pump to run all of it is the way to go. return pump in and ball valve's. my chiller is at the end of the manifold just before it go's back into the reef .

very good chiller never had any problem's.

This is a nice way to do it but on the other hand your whole system crashes if one pump goes out... So if you do go that way I would always have a new one on hand... Being away from the tank for a week or so becomes scary also if you lost your return your skimmer and all reactors also... Just something to keep in mind about a single pump... I like the idea of it, but I never did use it for reasons stated above...

 

[stedfast82]

troylee is right i just did have that problem . if you go this way you will need a extra pump for sure . mine went down and had to run for a new pump . but i like to have room in my sump. just was giving some idea's.

 

[goody]

troylee is right i just did have to hat problem . if you go this way you will need a extra pump for sure . mine went down and had to run for a new pump . but i like to have room in my sump. just was giving some idea's.

I definitely see the benefits of using only one pump for all the equipment, but I also see what troylee is saying and what you went through. I'm wondering what pump (gph) I would need for all of this. Does this also mean that you have your chiller on all the time, or do you just turn that ball valve so no water goes to it? Lastly, how do you like that chiller? It is one of the two I can buy for $300 after one summer's use. Btw, any more pics? I'm trying to imagine what equipment is where and what it actually looks like all hooked up.