Iceprobe Aquarium Chiller

[Melvyn Tan]

Hi All,

I am in the midst of getting a chiller and stumble across this iceprobe thingy which chills the water not by the usual heat exchange process - compressor, refrigerant...but by a different method.

Would invite anyone who experience this equipment share its performance and its viability.

Thanks

[Terryz_]

Can only be used for a small tank... Less than 2ft...

[Melvyn Tan]

Thanks, read that too....anyone uses it for 4 ft tank ? (understand it may need 2 probes)

[Terryz_]

I think you get a chiller wll be more worth it... 2 iceprobe will more ex than one chiller that can cool a 4ft tank... and i think 2 iceprobe is not even enough...

[Terryz_]

I think you get a chiller wll be more worth it... 2 iceprobe will more ex than one chiller that can cool a 4ft tank... and i think 2 iceprobe is not even enough...

[Melvyn Tan]

Ok understand your point....but has anyone uses it and wish to share its performance...any associated problems.....any servicing that may be needed like your regular chiller/air-con?

[amteo]

Not using Ice Probe, but using Teco Micro. Same principal in cooling, i.e. using a Thermal Chip, but more powerful at 120W. Bare in mind my tank is 2ft X 1ft X 1ft and my sump is slightly smaller.

OK, that said and done, here’s the low down. With my old lighting (2 X 36W PL), the chiller was able to maintain the temp at about 26-27 deg C comfortable. Since I change my lights to 4 X 24W T5, it is having a bit of trouble. The temp now creeps to about 28.5 deg C. Ambient temp at about 30 deg C. I’m now trying to play around with water flow to try and find a more efficient setting.

Maintenance wise, not much to do. As you know, there is no Freon, compressor, etc., so nothing much to maintain. The only thing to do is clean the dust from the fan every 4-5 months, that’s it!

I reckon if you have a bigger tank and/or brighter lights, get a proper chiller, i.e. a Freon compressor one. I doubt if one or even two Ice Probes will be able to handle a set-up like mine. Also, price wise, the Ice Probes are not real cheap. My 2 cents worth.

Cheers

[Melvyn Tan]

Thanks for sharing...do you happen to know whether there is a bigger capacity version of the Teco Micro? Am having a lil space constraints.

[sunny03]

Hi All,

I am in the midst of getting a chiller and stumble across this iceprobe thingy which chills the water not by the usual heat exchange process - compressor, refrigerant...but by a different method.

Would invite anyone who experience this equipment share its performance and its viability.

Thanks

bro forget about it not worth unless u have a tank smaller den 2ft

for a 4 ft tank i guess u need at least 3 or more.

[bonjour2]

Maybe u wana try this

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...3260&in_merch=1

Azoo CH-400 Thermoelectric chiller? Price is $14** if i recall , think ML has one unit... but i still think such thermoelectric stuff is not suitable in singapore's weather.

[amteo]

...do you happen to know whether there is a bigger capacity version of the Teco Micro?  Am having a lil space constraints.

As far as I know, the Micro is the only version from Teco using this method. You can try some other brands, e.g. AZoo, AquaMedic, but be warned, they are not cheap!

I've tried to DIY one myself. But again found the cost very high and my design was not effective enough. Finally, gave up!

Anyway, if your tank is bigger than 2 ft, forget about this type of chiller. Better use the money and get the normal type.

Good Luck.

[surfedelic]

I have a AZOO chiller using thermo electric. Running at 240 Watts. If you are having easy species of coral - this chiller is good - also depend on the capacity of the water. If chilling 3ft - probably hitting about 27 deg. Support up to 76 Gal according to spec.

If there is anyone interested I am willing to sell as it is sitting in my store room. But no hurry to sell as this unit have serve me very well in nano tank. No sound, no maintanence. Might be thinking of a nano in the future.

But for bigger tank more than 3ft - not advisable.

[Melvyn Tan]

Thank all for your advice and sharing...it appears that the thermoelectric chiller is meant for nano basing on the current types and models...hmmmmm...back to the normal chiller again....wonder if the teco micro can be used to keep my tank of 4 x 2 x 2 cool at 27c?

[lightningstrike]

Thank all for your advice and sharing...it appears that the thermoelectric chiller is meant for nano basing on the current types and models...hmmmmm...back to the normal chiller again....wonder if the teco micro can be used to keep my tank of 4 x 2 x 2 cool at 27c?

definitely no. teco micro is using thermoelectric technology as well. Irwana is selling a 2nd hand titanium artica at a very good price.why not consider that?

[Melvyn Tan]

Saw that posting its indeed an attractive pricing.....