chiller size ?

[buckeyereefer]

is there a "calculator" out there that you can put tank size an ambient room temp. to get a good idea on chiller size for a coldwater tank ??

[AquaticEngineer]

You can use the JBJ chiller calculator to get a good idea.

 

http://www.jbjlighting.com/prod_chiller_size.asp

 

I dont think its set up to recommend anything smaller than a 1/10th hp chiller though, but its a good start.

 

It lets you input a lot of variables like heat from lights, pumps,and powerheads all in watts.

 

Input your "Actual current water temperature of your tank" as whatever your current room temp is.

 

Remember also, the thicker your acrylic is the better it will retain the temperature of the chilled water and work your chiller less resulting in less power consumption

 

Hope that helps

 

Cheers!

[AquaticEngineer]

Any idea on what size of tank and what thickness of acrylic?

[buckeyereefer]

I am definitely going with 1/2" acrylic at the least. size of tank kinda depends on chiller size. I am thinking I want a 15" x 15" footprint on display area plus the AIO filter area behind. so I am guessing 15"w x 21"d x 12-15"h. I have a local guy with a "current prime nano 1/15 hp dual stage". he is offering it for $100. but not sure it's enough.

[buckeyereefer]

like almost anyone else. i want to save money. BUT not at expense of livestock OR have a chiller running constantly($). i am DIY the tank so i could also drop down to a 12"x12"x12" cube. if this size is better suited to this chiller. but would rather be a tad bit bigger.

[AquaticEngineer]

With the larger size at 1/2" acrylic I would go for a 1/10th so long as you have room for it in the setup. Some of the 1/10th chillers seem kinda bulky to me because they dont make very good use of the interior space IMO. One just sold on my local forum for $75 so deals on 1/10th chillers are just about everywhere these days being as they were the most commonly manufactured and distributed chiller it seems.

 

If you go with the smaller footprint you can probably use the 1/15th, just make sure it is a compressor based chiller and not a thermal electric one.

 

I have a 12"x12"12" cube made of of 1/2" acrylic from Micro-Reefs and I run a 1/13th hp chiller on it. My house is between 72-68 most of the year with a few weeks in the summer running into the 80's inside.

 

My chiller runs for about 5 minutes every 45-60 minutes and I actually bumped my internal tank temp up to 58F recently and now it only runs every 60-70 minutes. My total gallons is about 7.2 and this chiller handles it no problem. The brand I am using is a Resun mini 200 and I love it since it has such a small footprint. If I had room I would love to run one of the 1/10th chillers but most of them are just too big for the area I wanted to run my chiller in.

 

I have a link to my build thread in my signature if you wanna see more about the system I'm talking about

[buckeyereefer]

as far as room for a chiller I have plenty of it. wanting tank in our bedroom right by exterior wall. laundry room in basement is directly below. also have considered the thought of chiller outside of house. in a little shelter of course.

[Micro-Reefs Aquariums]

When purxhasing one of our cokd water systems we do all the calculat ok ns for you.

 

[buckeyereefer]

Mike

I would like to know what size I need before I get tank. that way I can search around an find one used first. if not my luck usually has me NOT finding anything used until after I buy a new one !!

[Micro-Reefs Aquariums]

Ok,

 

To calculate pump for you, i need to know two variables.

 

What size tank do you want to keep and which chiller are you looking at?

[buckeyereefer]

Mike
PM sent

[Micro-Reefs Aquariums]

Mike

PM sent

 

I did not receive your PM, can you resend so I can help you.....