netsecpro Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 I am looking for recommendations for a chiller for my 29g Coralife BioCube. I have found that since I am running an MJ1200 pump, along with a IM Ghost Skimmer, and Jebao WP-4, and NanoBox LEDs, the temp runs about 81-82 degrees with both the front and rear lids open, and my AC is set at 73. I'm thinking it's time to start looking into a chiller before the summertime temps arrive. Can someone offer any suggestions? Thanks in advance! Link to comment
Water Dog Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 A more economical solution to a chiller for your BioCube is a small clip on aquarium cooling fan. It's much easier on the wallet and on energy consumption. Mine is triggered to turn on when the temperature hits 80 degrees by my Reef Safe Solutions RS-1 temperature controller. Evaporative cooling works well to lower temperatures and whatever the fan takes out in evaporation, my ATO puts back in. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L54ZY4M/ref=twister_B00L54ZY2Y?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 Here it is clipped onto my rear access lid. In order to have the mounts fit onto the rear access lid, you must Dremel a small cutout on the ridge on the underside of the lid. Link to comment
billybatz9 Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 A more economical solution to a chiller for your BioCube is a small clip on aquarium cooling fan. It's much easier on the wallet and on energy consumption. Mine is triggered to turn on when the temperature hits 80 degrees by my Reef Safe Solutions RS-1 temperature controller. Evaporative cooling works well to lower temperatures and whatever the fan takes out in evaporation, my ATO puts back in. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L54ZY4M/ref=twister_B00L54ZY2Y?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 Here it is clipped onto my rear access lid. In order to have the mounts fit onto the rear access lid, you must Dremel a small cutout on the ridge on the underside of the lid. Wonder if this could be used for a heatsink for led lights Link to comment
netsecpro Posted May 4, 2016 Author Share Posted May 4, 2016 Thanks for the suggestion. 2 questions: What is the noise level like on the fans? Can you tell me more about your temperature controller? Link to comment
Water Dog Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 The fans are fairly quiet. My Aquaticlife 115 skimmer, even with the airline mod to quiet it down is easily the loudest piece of gear on my tank... it drowns everything else out. Keep in mind, my BioCube is in my bedroom, so I try to keep everything as quiet as possible. Reef Safe Solutions used to be a forum sponsor here. The RS-1 is a simple 2 stage temperature controller that controls a heater and either a fan or chiller. It retailed for $50 plus shipping. Unfortunately, they went under. However, shoot him a PM. He may have some units left. I just got an Apex, so mine may be up for sale in the future. However, I've got to buy an EB4 for some extra dosing outlets and to free up space on my EB8 before it goes up for sale. I'm sure you could pick up a used Ranco 2 stage temp controller on the cheap. They pop up on the RC and R2R classifieds from time to time. Link to comment
CARBON Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 This is what I did to my Biocube and it has been working out very well. http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/371953-biocube-29-fan-additionmod/ And I can vouch for the RS-1 controllers. I have three and they don't rely on your heaters internal thermostat to regulate temperature. Link to comment
Water Dog Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 Another 2 stage temperature controller option is Inkbird... $40 on Amazon. Link to comment
netsecpro Posted May 5, 2016 Author Share Posted May 5, 2016 Not seeing Reef Safe Solutions listed. Do you happen to have any contact info for him? Link to comment
Water Dog Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 They went out of business not too long ago... I believe the user name is "ReefSafeSolutions". Maybe you could try sending a PM. As another option, also look for the current thread about the Inkbird temperature controller giveaway contest. Link to comment
CARBON Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 http://www.nano-reef.com/user/87649-reefsafesolutions/ Link to comment
netsecpro Posted May 5, 2016 Author Share Posted May 5, 2016 Thanks for the advice everyone. I have sent reefsafe a message and hopefully they will respond. Link to comment
ReefSafeSolutions Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 Just replied...for anyone still checking this thread, we do have a few controllers left. PM me if you need one. Link to comment
Finding Paulo Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquarium-Thermostat-Chiller-Heater-Adjustable-Fish-Tank-Salt-Fresh-Water-/282026670359?hash=item41aa197917:g:-fkAAOSwQPlV9ozI what do you guys think? Link to comment
jimmyree Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 If temps are an issue and you are worried about them getting worse you might wanna consider the safest option which is spring for a real chiller. The 1/15 HP JBJ one I bought for my 28g works well. Yes, they are expensive and yes they can break like anything else but in my opinion they are money well spent for the insurance and piece of mind they provide. There are many great DIY options here and many cheaper options to be found for sure but for my piece of mind (living right on the edge of Death Valley) my chiller lets me sleep at night knowing it keeps my tank safe from temperature spikes. I plan on having thousands of dollars worth of corals in my tank eventually so the 500 I spent on a chiller is worth it to me. Once again this is my opinion and I am in no way downing on anyones setup or cool DIY project, just throwing in my 2 cents. Also, if the price is too steep for you have you looked at some of the DIY projects involving a mini fridge or water cooler with coiled tuning in it out there? I almost went that route as those items have basically the same cooling hardware as a chiller but are much cheaper, I am just too burned out on DIY (serial hobbyist) projects and decided to but one design specific for aquariums. The ebay one you posted looks like a small simple peltier device and I don't think it would do you any good it is far undersized for your tank. Good luck in your search! Link to comment
netsecpro Posted May 10, 2016 Author Share Posted May 10, 2016 Water Dog, Do you have your fans set up to blow air into the tank or to pull air out? I just got my RS-1 Controller, now I'm just waiting for the fans to arrive. Thanks! Link to comment
Water Dog Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 My fans are blowing in. I think that will be more effective for evaporative cooling efforts to blow air onto the surface of the water. Also, with the way that the mounting brackets articulate on the fan, it could only be set up blow in. Nice score on the RS-1. I love mine! Link to comment
netsecpro Posted May 10, 2016 Author Share Posted May 10, 2016 My fans are blowing in. I think that will be more effective for evaporative cooling efforts to blow air onto the surface of the water. Also, with the way that the mounting brackets articulate on the fan, it could only be set up blow in. Nice score on the RS-1. I love mine! Thanks for letting me know about the RS-1, I was lucky to get one of his last ones. Link to comment
Water Dog Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 No worries dude. It's a shame they aren't being made anymore. Jacob is nice and super helpful too. Link to comment
Tamberav Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 I used one of these to keep my cold water reef at 60 degrees for a year. I would think it could handle keeping a Biocube at reasonable temps. http://www.marinedepot.com/Chill_Solutions_CSXC_1_Thermoelectric_Aquarium_Chiller_Micro_Nano_Aquarium_Chillers-CHILL_SOLUTIONS_LLC-6A00001-FICHMC-vi.html Link to comment
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