AquaticEngineer Posted July 18, 2015 Share Posted July 18, 2015 I've heard this myth fired around quite a bit and I wanted to share a very simple, very telling image that addresses this. I have a Micro Reefs 7.2 gallon AIO temperate tank. It uses one small pump to push water from the filtration area down through a 1/13th HP chiller and back to the tank. I utilize another small pump for additional flow and surface agitation. Lighting is a DIY 50w High output RGB spot light, very similar in build to a Kessil. Thats the sum of all the electrical parts associated with my nano coldwater tank. Tank runs at 59-60F and the house at its warmest is up near 80F, but usually is 70-73F. Here is an image of a Kilowatt Meter that I measured the entire systems energy consumption on for a duration of about 6 hours today. I could have left it on longer, but I just needed to get an average of the cost with the chiller cycling on and off during the warmest part of the day. Yup. Total monthly cost calculated for my coldwater nano's energy consumption for a tank in Oregon is $5.17 Link to comment
VW_TDI_02 Posted July 18, 2015 Share Posted July 18, 2015 So do you just run without any heater or chiller? Link to comment
AquaticEngineer Posted July 18, 2015 Author Share Posted July 18, 2015 It has a 1/13 hp compressor based chiller on it. Only comes on for 5 mins or so every 45 minutes. Chills the tank to 59F right now. Link to comment
Micro-Reefs Aquariums Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 I like this thread... Link to comment
Halo_003 Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 I would so love to set one of these up one day. Link to comment
mystersyster Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 You live near the coast? We have lots of hermits up in the northwest. Link to comment
Micro-Reefs Aquariums Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 I would so love to set one of these up one day. You will, once I am back up and operational.... Not too long of a wait, as I get approved for the warehouse.... Link to comment
Halo_003 Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 You will, once I am back up and operational.... Not too long of a wait, as I get approved for the warehouse.... Just want to finish college first so I don't have to move a CW tank. I have a list of things I'm waiting to be done with school to buy and this is up there. Link to comment
Micro-Reefs Aquariums Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 Micro Reef systems were built on the premise of being used in the dorms at colleges around America and the cold water system is no exception. I hope to reintroduce our smallest cold water system back to our college crowds. Imagine the talk in the dorms when others say you don't need to go to a public aquarium to see cold water critters, they are here at the university in some college kids dorm? Link to comment
VW_TDI_02 Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 How much do those chillers cost usually? Link to comment
Micro-Reefs Aquariums Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 How much do those chillers cost usually? That really depends on which chiller you are wanting? Are you talking about the ice probe or a chiller. Link to comment
VW_TDI_02 Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 I was referring to a chiller similar to what OP has. Link to comment
AquaticEngineer Posted September 29, 2015 Author Share Posted September 29, 2015 I believe you can find that exact same chiller brand new for between $250-$300. However, I was able to find mine used locally so I picked up about 4 chillers all of that same brand that were in parts for about $100 in trade and just put them all back together Link to comment
Micro-Reefs Aquariums Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Remember that one of the key ingredients to the success of a cold water system is not cutting any expense on the chiller. A cold water system can and will crash as the oxygen content is much lesser in tropical waters than cold water. So as your chiller gives out and water temps rise your cold water critters will be affected as their metabolism is designed for richer oxygen intake which is much lesser as temps rise. Mother Nature is at work for millions of years and that you cannot change. Keep your water at 55F degrees of COOLNESS for nice results Link to comment
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