cold water, where to get started?

[sump'nfishy]

Hoping to get started on my first temperate nano, I was going to order a micro-reefs 7.2 system with the chiller but it's not available on their site anymore. Any alternatives? I've checked eBay and found a couple 1/10 and 1/15 chillers that I think would be suitable but now the question is where to get the tank. I was looking through Jacob's lovely 15g and noticed it was glass. Wondering if I'd be able to do the same with a 20g Tall and a 1/10 chiller?

[AquaticEngineer]

A 1/10th chiller will definitely handle keeping it cooled, but with a glass tank you will very likely have condensation (sweating) on the tank depending on the air temp and humidity of the room its in.

 

You can contact Mike at Micro-reefs via PM here or email him and he's great at getting back on tank availability and build time

 

Also, depending on the size tank you go with, there is someone on here just yesterday selling a whole bunch of Ice Probe chillers for like $60 each.

 

Mike has tested the 7.2 with dual ice probes and it maintains 55F quite well with the 1/2" material.

Heres the thread with the Ice provbes

 

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/372915-need-a-cheap-iceprobe-chiller-cooling-season-is-right-around-the-corner/

[sump'nfishy]

Thanks! this is exactly what I was trying to figure out. Any thoughts on ice probes vs a current prime chiller?

[AquaticEngineer]

Ice probes will work on smaller volumes, usually up to 7-8 gallons for a pair of probes if you are running the tank between 55-60F. You can expect at most a 20 degree pull down from room temperate from what I've experienced.

 

Once you start getting to a larger volume of water it becomes more cost effective to use a compressor based chiller in most regards since iceprobes usually run about $100+ each.

 

Now, if you were able to get multiple iceprobes for a cheaper price than a compressor chiller that would change up the equation a little bit. But then you run into the problem of where to effectively house multiple ice probes in a tank.

 

If you look around you can find deals on some nice 1/10th HP chillers, I've seen them as low as $287 shipped brand new from hydroponics companies online. If feel comfortable getting a used chiller you can pick them up for an even better price.

 

Keep in mind also that the better insulated your tank is, the more effective your chiller will be. ie: 1' thick acrylic tank @ 8 gallons with 1 Ice probe vs a 1/2" thick acrylic tank with 2 ice probes.

[Micro-Reefs Aquariums]

Hoping to get started on my first temperate nano, I was going to order a micro-reefs 7.2 system with the chiller but it's not available on their site anymore. Any alternatives? I've checked eBay and found a couple 1/10 and 1/15 chillers that I think would be suitable but now the question is where to get the tank. I was looking through Jacob's lovely 15g and noticed it was glass. Wondering if I'd be able to do the same with a 20g Tall and a 1/10 chiller?

 

Hi,

 

I am glad I regularly check forums and especially frequent the biotopes. I noticed you were interested in our 7.2 gallon termperate system, I never removed it from our site.

 

Here is the hyperlink:

 

http://micro-reefs.com/store/p46/Micro--Reefs_7.2_Gallon_AIO_Temperate_.html

 

The 7,.2 gallon was tested and perfomed well with a compressor based chiller with many reefers that purchased her. You can see that I drill out holes on the filter cover top for easy access to any compresser chiller on the market. I even supply the two connectors.

 

Our 6.2 which was debuted at Reefappalozza in 2012 with Cold Water Marine Aquatics demonstated the raw power of two ICE-PROBE chllers! The beauty behind the ice probes vs the compressor is night and day in terms of how quiet they run in comparison to a compressor based chiller.

 

So, if sound is of a concern the iceprobes were the best choice, also the concealment of the iceprobes at the show drove everyone in wonder as to were the chiller was found, it was hidden in my design built by TruVu Aquariums!

 

You see, I am a true believer in a reef should be seen only as a reef with as many other parts away from that beauty, no heater, no fixture to see just a canopy and a base to HIDE EVERYTHING OUT OF VIEW!

 

AND THAT IS WHAT I BROUGHT AT THE SHOW AND IT DAZZLED EVERYONE, IN FACT ALL THE DISPLAY SYSTEMS THAT I TOOK TO THE SHOW, WERE PURCHASED, SO I LEFT EMPTY HANDED!

 

Now Stu is correct if you are to move into a larger system, then you want to have a chiller, but tell you this, if you want the 7.2 to be converted over to what I had at the show in 6.2, I will design it for you no problem, I need to only make a base to fit the two chillers.

 

I can plumb everything for you here at the shop and offer you rounded edges or square, your pick at no additional charge!

 

If it were for my home I would order the 7.2 plumbed with the two ice probes, I know they can reach 55F degrees in 1/2 inch material. My show debuted with 3/8 inch cast acrylic at 6.2 gallons with 55 F degrees of Coolness, that was our slogan.

 

The 7.2 can reach the same results with one extra gallon while keeping the concealment of the probes hidden from view!

 

I am wanting to bring back the 7.2 to offer probes or compressor, as we speak you can purchase it online if you already have a chiller. If you want the probes, I have them in stock and can make the tank for you!

 

Let me know, as the WORLD OF COLD WATER IS JUST MORE AWESOME THAN OUR WARMER COUSINS, its a world many reefers have not explored and are starting to look at, trust me I know.

 

I was one of the few lucky reefers here on this board that literally slept on a queen bed separated by two oceans, on my right was my 6.2 cold water system and on my left was my 6.2 tropical, those two systems were my displays that I debuted in Reefapolozza and they were purchased as I said.

 

I miss my cold water system so much...