Chiller Talk (efficiency / noise level / size)

[rbredding]

I've got a 90reef and right now my chiller is in the base cabinet.


I'm looking at having to move it outside of the base cabinet and wanted some input. If I move it outside, I may also be looking to upgrade soon. my existing chiller is loud, and ugly (someone half painted it with latex paint years ago)

I'm looking for quiet operation (since it will be in my office, outside of the base cabinet)

I'm looking for electrical efficiency (probably anything will be more efficient than what I've got)

What size should I look at? (1/3 to 1/2 HP?) If it's not going to be very efficient, I don't want it running very long, so I'd rather have one that was a little oversized so it will drop the water temperature sooner.

what have y'all used? what do you like/dislike?

 

[weaglereefer]

Why do you not feel your current one is efficient enough? Could the issue be that it's inside the stand and isn't able to get rid of the heat quickly enough?

How much you want for the old one? I have the ability to locate it outside, but would be hesitant to put a brand new chiller outside my place for fear it would grow legs and wander off to the pawn shop...

 

[skriz]

A chiller is something you absolutely should oversize. While a larger chiller consumes more power while on, it's on for a shorter period of time thus consuming less energy overall.

Standard aquarium chillers are not bound by the same regulations of AC systems, so they're pretty poor with regards to energy efficiency (think 3 SEER). For larger systems, the AC based chillers are the only way to go since they're bound by regulation (13 SEER). I'll have my new MONSTER Tradewinds AC based chiller coming soon. I can't wait to get that beast installed!

Ron - a chiller under the cabinet will be less efficient in many ways:

1. The heat removed from the water is released into the cabinet, reheating the water (assuming there's a sump in there)
2. Raising the ambeint temperature around the chiller, reducing the cooling effect of the chiler

The peltier "chillers" will be the most efficient. I'm guessing

 

[rbredding]

au01st;511338 wrote: Why do you not feel your current one is efficient enough?

It was made over 15 years ago..

Raj,
I completely agree. I know that the main reason that it's warm in my cabinet is the heat pulled off the exchange coil.
If it didn't look so ugly, It would have never been in there. I looked into the Peltech units already, just would rather find something closer to $600 (remember, the more I spend on this chiller, the less I have to buy a sump from you.. HAHA)


everything I have right now works.. but I'm a GEAR FREAK and need to upgrade almost constantly... (ex. i can't even find anything I want/need from REI, cause I've already got enough gear for an entire Boy Scout troop)

any other chillers that you've been happy with over the years? (my current model is an aquanetics "thinline" chiller)

 

[skriz]

Rbredding;511500 wrote: It was made over 15 years ago..

Raj,
I completely agree. I know that the main reason that it's warm in my cabinet is the heat pulled off the exchange coil.
If it didn't look so ugly, It would have never been in there. I looked into the Peltech units already, just would rather find something closer to $600 (remember, the more I spend on this chiller, the less I have to buy a sump from you.. HAHA)


everything I have right now works.. but I'm a GEAR FREAK and need to upgrade almost constantly... (ex. i can't even find anything I want/need from REI, cause I've already got enough gear for an entire Boy Scout troop)

any other chillers that you've been happy with over the years? (my current model is an aquanetics "thinline" chiller)

I've always loved my Tradewinds chillers. They made in America and built like a truck. They've lasted years for me and are still going strong on other members' tanks.

 

[rbredding]

it's so old I can't even look up the model number anywhere.. like NO ONE has a PDF of it..

and of course, Aquanetics is no help (even their "parts" site hasn't been able to help me)