chiller alternative

[Tasher80]

I was having heating issues then I got one of those 6" Clip on fans. I run it on a timer with the MH's. I have it pointed at the waters surface and it keeps my heat down. The hear actually kicks on. I would try a cheap $7 fan before you get a Chiller.

[Hong Kongan]

I have discovered a magical way to keep my tank cool.....
Air-Conditioning it might work for you, do ya have it.

[robsmith32]

well, i had Air conditioning till sometime last night .... fish are suffering in 82-85 degree now. Wont' have a/c till at least monday eve. or tues. Makes me Really consider a chiller. Although, i've been seeing these room a/c's lately, might invest in one of those.
I have to replace blower motor for a/c first though.
I've been thinking about a couple small fans, over overflows though. 1 pushing in , the other pulling out. Biggest problem is allowing the air in but not the splashing water out. fan's aren't exactly waterproof.

[vegabass15]

i put a window unit in my room cheaper than a chiller and i stay cool too

[Doug1]

Originally Posted by robsmith32

well, i had Air conditioning till sometime last night .... fish are suffering in 82-85 degree now. Wont' have a/c till at least monday eve. or tues. Makes me Really consider a chiller. Although, i've been seeing these room a/c's lately, might invest in one of those.
I have to replace blower motor for a/c first though.
I've been thinking about a couple small fans, over overflows though. 1 pushing in , the other pulling out. Biggest problem is allowing the air in but not the splashing water out. fan's aren't exactly waterproof.

Are you running a sump on your 55? the additional surface area promotes more evap=more cooling

[yousuredo]

chiller will also heat up the room there are in...so if you get one then your room is going to increase in temp. wich will make you un comfortable...

[Casey]

Place your chiller in a well ventilated area to allow the heat to dissipate.

[serankko]

The cheapest solution I think is changing your photoperiod... I used to have the lights in my tank from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm and I changed it from 4:00 pm to 4:00 am and it is been working real good...

[yousuredo]

and maybe take it down to 8/10 hr's insted of 12 would help also

[Mr. ReeferMadness]

Thermocoupler is that the same as a peltier? Won't these also double as a heater? When I was looking into this for a ccd project for my telescope I think I remember that it would cool or heat based on the electrical current.
When changing your photoperiod to from 4pm-4am does the daylight have an adverse effect on the fish?
If anyone is curious about the thermo/peltier systems look towards a astronomy site there should be plenty of info on DIY and ready made systems.

[Uber Nuber]

my lighting setup is 1 400w 10k XM and 2 39w T5's over a 70gal ( tall i geuss with the dimensions being 36Lx18Wx24H) i havent set this system up yet, and was debating over y fans. I have 2 4" icecap variable speed fans with the heat sensors, and was going to put another standard 4" fan aimed at the sump. my question is with the 2 fans on the lighting, should they be directed into the canopy which is fully enclosed except back is completly open, or should they be sucking air out?

[reef_noob]

I'm with the AC crowd. Of course it depends on where you live, for me the temp is only unmanageable for 3-4 months out of the year, so a window unit is cheaper than buyng a chiller and I get the added benefit of a cool room. If I still lived in fla it might be a different story, but IIRC, most homes in fla have central air, so I'd still prob just keep the ac at a reasonable level.

[Lutrah]

Lowe's has some of those small refridgerators that go on clearance from time to time. It shuldn't be too hard to coil some stuff in there. Also have the added benefit of putting fish food in there... Don't know about you all, but my ice starts to taste like fish food after a while.

[rangerfan]

my uncle has used a mini fridge on his 220 for about 5 years and never had a problem he jsut drilled into the side of the fridge and coiled about 150-200 feet of water line and the return it to the tank out the same side with another hole you can get a mini fridge for about $70 you coulf try that

[skeety]

Originally Posted by robsmith32

I've been thinking about a couple small fans, over overflows though. 1 pushing in , the other pulling out. Biggest problem is allowing the air in but not the splashing water out. fan's aren't exactly waterproof.

I think you'd be suprised what a difference this can make! I bet you buy a couple Hellmart (hate saying their real name) cheapo fans, and you'll see a 2-3° difference! If you have a glass lid on your tank, remove this and you'll see another 2-3° diff!

MIGHT just keep you right where you want to be!