Chillers?

[shellydp34]

Ok, I have decided to go with a chiller and I am aware that they are pricey but my birthday is approching quickly. And, since I am turning 35 :shock: , I feel I need a really good present. I think a chiller would cover it.

Soooo, those of you with a chiller, please tell me what brand and features makes one better than the other. Keeping in mind that I have a 30 gal sump that has a skimmer in it taking up most of the room down there. I like to keep everything hidden if possible.

Thank you :-D !

[Doctor_Reef]

You will not be able to keep a chiller in the cabinet unles you can provide an open area to vent the chiller...It will put off some heat and it would be self defeating as the warm air will be warming the water while you cool it....Sorry... But it is better to have your chiller outside the cabinet... I have my on the outside... I have an arctica - titanium chiller... 1/3 hp for my 300.... I have a custom sea life 1/4 hp on my 125... I like the digital controls on my arctica and the quietness!!!

[MikeS]

If you are crammed on budget and space, and don't mind a bit of maintenance, you can always make a homemade heat exchanger...

Mike

[cich1]

have you seen this thread?
http://www.coralforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=6168&highlight=

[BoldAsBrass]

Happy Birthday, and I hope the chiller eases your tank load.

[shellydp34]

Mike, the heat exchange may work. How or where can I learn about this and how much maint. is required. I'm getting lazy in my old age.

Karen, cool site!

Thanx to Ron, I will have to make room for what ever I decide to get so I'll start getting it ready.

And Cich, I'm checking out the site in case the heat exchange requires tooo much work.

Thanks to all of you

[EXVISOR]

i HAVE A NICE CHILLER, THE BRAND i FORGET BUT i DON'T REALLY KNOW WHICH ONE IS BETTER THEN THE OTHER, I CAN TELL YOU THE GUY I BOUGHT IT FROM DECIDED TO GIVE UP THE HOBBY AND SOLD ME THE CHILLER FOR 200.00, I WENT ON THE WEB AND FOUND THAT BRAND NEW GOES FOR 700.00 SO I FIGURED I CAN'T GO WRONG ,IVE BEEN PRICING CHILLERS FOR A LONG TIME AND FOUNDTHAT THEY VERY ALLOT IN REF TO PRICE
HERES MY THOUGHTS ,IM IN THE AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS SO I CAN TELL YOU THAT IF YOU BUY AN AC COMPRESSOR FROM THE DEALER YOUR BUYING A REMAN COMPRESSOR THAT WAS REBUILT BY THE DEALER SO WHAT DOES IT MATTER WHERE YOU BUY IT FROM IF THE BRAND NAME IS THE SAME, SAME THING WITH COMPUTERS ,ALL THE HARDWHERE AND CHIPS COME FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER
I BET IF YOU OPEN TWO CHILLERS UP CHANCES ARE YOUR GOING TO FIND THE SAME PARTS BY THE SAME MANUFACTURER AND REALLY THE COMPRESSOR IS THE MAIN THING YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT, THE EVAP CORE IS JUST A ALUMINUM CORE, NO DIFFERENCE
I WOULD BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING THE RIGHT SIZE OR MAYBE EVEN A LITTLE BIGER CHILLER SO IT DOES NOT HAVE TO WORK SO HARD
THE ALL GIVE THE SAME WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH ONE CAN BE 700 AND ANOTHER BRAND COULD BE 400

[shellydp34]

Thanks -

[KDFrosty]

The heat exchange method is something similar to what I do, and it seems to be working great for me out here in the desert

[Doctor_Reef]

shellydp34....have you decided on a chiller yet???