Prime Drop-In Chiller :Advice Needed:

Mr.Reef · 09-09-2005, 10:14 PM

Hello everyone here in The Reef Tank, I recently bought a 125 gallon plexi glass tank with a built in over flow.And a 40 gallon plexi glass custom sump, with a Euro reef ES5-3 skimmer. And its been cycleing for about almost three months now. And I've noticed my tank temperature stays at 79 to 80 degrees without my heater on. And if I turn on my two 400watt 20K bulbs my tank temperature is going to go well past 82 degrees. So I now know I must invest in a chiller. I found this chiller in live aquaria. And I wanted to know if any of you would recommend the Prime Drop-In Chiller? Since it requires no plumbing, and It's designed for limited space, I thought maybe this will be a good chiller for me? If anyone has any experience with this chiller, I would gladly appreciate any info that you have to share about the Prime Drop-In chiller.

Here's the link to the chiller:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...&N=2004+113768

coralfreak · 09-09-2005, 10:28 PM

Have you tried a fan over the sump? I also heard bad things about drop-in chillers, stick with inline units.

VWD · 09-09-2005, 10:36 PM

Welcome to TRT!

Mr.Reef · 09-09-2005, 10:44 PM

@Coralfreak, yes I have tried using a fan, but had little success. Do you know what are the disadvantages of drop-in chillers?

xaoss23 · 09-09-2005, 10:46 PM

You may want to try other options before jumping out and getting a chiller. Try a fan as coralfreak suggested first. I was having a problem with my tank getting as high as 86 from my PC lights! Placed a fan that I got from Walmart for $12 across the top and the tank now maintains 78-79. My guess is that youre considering the dropin to reduce cost. A fan in MUCH less expensive and typically adaquate. Give it a try and let us know... if that doesnt work out for you then drop another post and Im sure someone can reccomend a chiller.

btw, any pics of the tank? We all love pictures!!!

xaoss23 · 09-09-2005, 10:47 PM

wow, Im too slow.

Hey... anyone know anything about drop-in chillers?

Mr.Reef · 09-09-2005, 10:58 PM

Well I see Drop-in chillers are not to popular. So what in-line chiller would you recommend. My space is limited so thats why I was thinking of the drop-in chiller. And also I would like to know if the in-line chiller has its disadvantages too? I will post pics as soon as I figure out how to post them. Thanks Everyone so far for the help.

coralfreak · 09-09-2005, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Reef

@Coralfreak, yes I have tried using a fan, but had little success. Do you know what are the disadvantages of drop-in chillers?

Try a bigger fan or put another one down there. The disadvantages of the drop-in models is that the smaller external coil have less contact area with the water and another thing is that they cost more. There's another bad thing about drop-ins but I don't remember now. Here in Puerto Rico the temperature and humidity are VERY high and I was obligated to buy a chiller for my tank but I'm pretty sure you can resolve your temperature problem without a chiller unless you live on Texas, South Cali, Arizona or something like that.

Mr.Reef · 09-09-2005, 11:32 PM

Honestly, I already got the biggest fan I could fit under my stand. Im not really concerned about the price of a chiller.Since I have already have invested quite a bit already. I think the Drop-in chillers cost more because they require no plumbing. I just want my water tempature to stay at a constant 78 degrees.

coralfreak · 09-10-2005, 01:28 AM

A chiller is great at keeping temps very constant. If you don't like plumbing go with the drop-in, but the look of the hoses coming out from the chiller into the sump or tank will be the same of an inline unit.

Mr.Reef · 09-10-2005, 01:43 AM

And I think with the drop-in chiller you dont have to worry about leaks? And I think it doesnt need a water pump either, but im not sure.