Chiller for a 120g

Discussion in 'Filters, Pumps, etc..' started by scenario1313, Apr 12, 2009.

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  1. scenario1313

    scenario1313 Tassled File Fish

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    I am starting to thing I need to get a chiller. During the day my tank gets up to 81 deg and its not the middle of summer yet. I keep the room temp at 74 -76 deg. Would a 1/10th hp chiller be enough for the 120 and does any one know of one to look for that is not outrageous on the price.
     
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  3. ZachB

    ZachB Giant Squid

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  4. scenario1313

    scenario1313 Tassled File Fish

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    And I went with T5's to avoid this. But i seriously think I need one.
     
  5. PackLeader

    PackLeader Giant Squid

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    Scenario, just curious as to where the heat my be coming from? Isn't the tank lit by T5's? What is the plumbing/pumps situation?
    Just thinking there may be other ways around this...
     
  6. ZachB

    ZachB Giant Squid

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    My 30g with T5's got very warm. I am remembering back a few months ago in Tampa my A/C went out. I floated bags of ice to keep my tank from cooking. It peaked at 87. Fortunately, I didn't lose anything. I would never be able to float enough in the 75 to keep it down.

    Just for events like that, a chiller is a good thing to have. Insurance, so to speak.
     
  7. mnm

    mnm Astrea Snail

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    My 125 has a 1/3 hp current chiller. It will set you back about $650, but worth it. Go for a larger than needed chiller because it will not run constant and save you money in electricity. Well worth it.
     
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  9. scenario1313

    scenario1313 Tassled File Fish

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    It is lit by the tek t5 8 bulb fixture but it is in a canopy so I am sure that is where the heat is coming from. I have a Sequence 3600 return pump that has little restriction on it so the heat has to be coming from the lights. Any other ideas?
    Maybe my heaters are not working properly. I will turn them down to see what happens.
     
  10. PackLeader

    PackLeader Giant Squid

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    Exactly, I was going to suggest the heater could be sticking. But is the temp about the same when the lights have been off for a while?
    What are you doing for ventilation inside the canopy? Maybe you can try to rig up a couple of PC fans, if you have nothing in there already.
     
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  11. scenario1313

    scenario1313 Tassled File Fish

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    Thanks for the info if I find that I should get one I will keep in mind to go bigger.
     
  12. scenario1313

    scenario1313 Tassled File Fish

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    No fans but the back is open and the top is slatted for ventilation as well. In the mornings after lights have been out it goes down to 79 - 80 and my heaters are set at 79