Chiller

[izib]

Im trying to decide on which chiller to order (1/4 or 1/2) and thought you all could give some advice.

I have a 90 gal display tank with a 75 gal sump (about 45 gal) in the garage. The garage is not heated/cooled, the display tank has 2 250watt mhs.

Any thoughts? I need quick answers so I can place the order tomorrow.

Zach

 

[tsciarini]

planning on upgrading in the future?

 

[izib]

Thats an open ended question! Honestly no Im not, I am just completing a built-in wall project on the new 90gal so I think it will be awhile. The next one will probably be 150-200 but its years down the road.

 

[burdundi]

If you plan on upgrading and you have the extra $$, I would go for the 1/2hp. Especially since you have the sump in the garage in the summer. Does your garage heat up quite a bit in the summer? Mine does since it faces south.

I ordered a 1/4 a little while ago. I think I should have ordered the 1/2 but it was just a little too much for my wallet right now. If it becomes a problem in the future, I'll have to sell it used and hope a deal like this comes around again.

Hope that helps,

Andy

 

[tsciarini]

You can probably get away with a 1/4 but I'm not sure what the consequences would be of running it in the garage. The 1/2hp will draw alot more power but the 1/4 will likely run more often.
Tough call...

 

[rhomer]

During the summer that garage is going to heat up a lot. You have about 200 gallons and when I look up the temp swing of a 1/2 hp chiller it says 35 degrees for 200 gallons. The 1/4 hp chiller will move 200 gallons 20 degrees. If the garage gets to 100 degrees in the summer. Then you need to basically pull 200 gallons of water down 30 degrees. That tells me you will need the 1/2 hp.

BTW make sure that you get an inline and vent the heat outside, otherwise your chiller exaust will just reheat the water.

Rob

 

[tsciarini]

I was thinking it was more like under 150gal
(90display + 45sump - rock displacement etc)

 

[rhomer]

Just so everyone knows I got the info from my chiller's spec sheet so there is probably some swing. This might help others make up their mind.

Here is a table of values that shows the amount of temp pull down for each group of water in gallons:

Degree Pull Down (Delta T) from ambient (F)
<u>HP 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40</u>
1/6 200 100 67 50 - - - -
1/5 560 280 187 140 112 93 80 70
1/4 800 400 267 200 160 133 114 100
1/3 1000 500 333 250 200 167 143 125
1/2 1440 720 480 360 288 240 206 180


Can't seem to get this to space out right.


Rob

 

[rhomer]

tsciarini wrote: I was thinking it was more like under 150gal
(90display + 45sump - rock displacement etc)

Based on 150 Gallon you would be just above the upper limit of the 1/4 hp chiller.

Rob

 

[burdundi]

Izib,

The 1/2 is probably a better safe then sorry scenario, but keep in mind that it is rated at 1600 watts. Make sure you have a dedicated circuit for it on the breaker.

It is a tough call. However, either way, at the prices Doug is offering, you probably won't have a tough time selling if you need to upgrade or downgrade.

My 2 cents... Andy

PS. Tony, you are about to hit 1000!!!! congrats!

 

[cameron]

I was talking to my GF about this and she asked one clarifying question. How much is the stuff in your tank work? Is it worth risking it for $150 or so bucks?

 

[burdundi]

rhomer wrote:
Here is a table of values that shows the amount of temp pull down for each group of water in gallons:

Degree Pull Down (Delta T) from ambient (F)
<u>HP 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40</u>
1/6 200 100 67 50 - - - -
1/5 560 280 187 140 112 93 80 70
1/4 800 400 267 200 160 133 114 100
1/3 1000 500 333 250 200 167 143 125
1/2 1440 720 480 360 288 240 206 180

Rob

Great info! Thanks Rob. Rep +1 :up:

 

[rhomer]

Thanks, just thought this would help everyone make up their minds.

Rob

 

[izib]

Thanks for the info everyone.

I think there is about 135gal (90gal display with about 45gal in the sump) total minus the LR. The house is new so I dont know about the garage temp, however the garage is facing NW so its only getting evening sun. All winter its stayed between 45-55. Im guessing it will never get above 100 in the summer and the inside temp never above 75. Even if it was all outside thats only a 25 degree cooldown not counting the lights. 25 degree pulldown on 135 gallons is what Im looking at worst case senario.

1,600watts, that makes my lighting seem like nothing! BTW how often do you all think the 1/2hp chiller would run in the summer?

While money isnt an issue (well it is but obviously its not too big of an issue or id find another hobby!) Im more concerned about getting more than I need, while at the same time I dont want to get too small of a chiller. A dedicated circuit (Ive already got two) is another pain but...

As for a future upgrade, I'll have to spend so much to do that throwing in another chiller isnt that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. Not to mention the less equiptment I have for it, the longer it will be. Thats a good thing!

 

[cameron]

Keep in mind evap cooling is greatly reduced in the summer when humidity is higher as well.

 

[izib]

Does anyone have any idea what type of pump is needed for either the 1/2 or 1/4 chiller?

 

[rhomer]

I will check tonight in the spec book of my chiller. It has optimum flow rates listed.

Rob

 

[justonemoretank]

I was just planning on Ting off the return to give it flow thru the chiller.

 

[izib]

thanks for the information everyone. Im the proud new owner (soon to be) of a 1/2 hp chiller.