Question about the need for a chiller in NJ

Altohombre · Mar 29, 2008

I have kept a freshwater tank throughout the summers with no temperature problems, but was curious about the need for a chiller for my saltwater tank. In terms of NJ temperatures and roommates who don't really turn the A/C on until the night time or when it is 80+ degrees, how important would a chiller be? I am running a 46g tank that is currently set for 78 degrees.

reefitup · Mar 29, 2008

What type of lighting do you have on it? Metal Halide, T5, VHO etc... Closed canopy retrofit, sunpod style etc...

I think the ambient room temp would play into this as well...

Altohombre · Mar 30, 2008

I have the 36" Nova Extreme Pro T5's. I have only an egg crate over the tank. Ambient room temp will change with the temperature outside.

tangdude · Mar 30, 2008

time will tell.... all depends on as stated lighting also tank location such as an attic compared with a basement.is your house cooled or not. if not do you run fans. what it is you keep in your tank and how tolerable they are to change in temps. what type of equipment you use such as an internal pump to an external. some people have there displays upstairs and there sumps in the basement.

Baxreefs · Mar 30, 2008

With T-5 only, it'll come down to ambient room temp. If MH anything more than 175 watt will need a chiller. At 46g a 1/10 hp should make a difference.

sinkingbeach · Mar 30, 2008

I didn't run a chiller on my son's 24 aquapod last summer and I noticed 3-4 degrees swings daily. My wife is adamant about running the air 24/7

and it did help a little but with room temp getting up to 80+ on any given day I wouldn't take a chance.

jimroth · Mar 30, 2008

I don't think you need a chiller. I never used one when I was running 4X36W PCs over my 90G. You do need a cooling fan strategy.
I have run several tanks with MH and no chiller. It really helps if the tank has an open top and the MH is pendant style. You can get a fantastic amount of evaporative cooling with fans, both plaing accross the water surface and in tha cabinet pointing at the sump. The evaporation can help you raise calcium levels at the same time.

reefitup · Mar 30, 2008

sinkingbeach said:
I didn't run a chiller on my son's 24 aquapod

X2..I think

Although my 29 BC hasn't gone through a summer yet, the basement stays pretty cool in the summer and I don't forsee any need for any chiller...evap stinks, but what are ya gonna do (besides ATO)