Pump for chiller

[fishlife]

hi reefers,

recently upgraded my 2ft tank to 30X18X18 tank with sump n cl-280 chiller. Using a 2000lph pump as a return pump frm the sump that goes thru the chiller to the main tank. the temp been set to 27 and the main tank tank stays abt there. But i fell like the chiller is running non-stop. N a fren advised me to run a separate pump abt 1000lph for the chiller, that just goes from the 1st compartment of the sump n back to the 3rd compartment of the sump where the return pump to the main tank is... n also a bigger 2500lph return pump..... Would like r people's views in here..

current setup

[fishlife]

suggested change

[Guinness]

it could be that 2000ltr/h is too fast for the chiller to handle. Thus the water going thru the chiller doesn't cool down enough. but your initial design looks fine.

Whilst the 2nd design is feasible, I don't like to have too many variable water flows. Basically cos I am a bit lazy and like everything to go in 1 direction only.

Another reason I don't like design 2, that it is preferable to have the chiller intake after the filtration media. Afterall you don't want gunk going thru the chiller.

Just my 2cents.

[fishlife]

it could be that 2000ltr/h is too fast for the chiller to handle. Thus the water going thru the chiller doesn't cool down enough. but your initial design looks fine.

Whilst the 2nd design is feasible, I don't like to have too many variable water flows. Basically cos I am a bit lazy and like everything to go in 1 direction only.

Another reason I don't like design 2, that it is preferable to have the chiller intake after the filtration media. Afterall you don't want gunk going thru the chiller.

Just my 2cents.

But, if i put a smaller pump in my current setup, the flow will be tooo little, as now itself it's quite low wt a 2000lph pump.

Or in the 2nd design, shall i put the chiller pump in the 2nd compartment, it's where my skimmer is now...

[Guinness]

I am not sure what your sump set up is.

How about having your chiller intake from the last compartment and then return directly to the tank. That will increase the flow thru the tank. and save you buying a new 2500ltr/hr.

You will then have 1000ltr return from chiller and a 2000ltr/h return pump both running.

[fishlife]

I am not sure what your sump set up is.

How about having your chiller intake from the last compartment and then return directly to the tank. That will increase the flow thru the tank. and save you buying a new 2500ltr/hr.

You will then have 1000ltr return from chiller and a 2000ltr/h return pump both running.

yah... now that's something to think abt...... but need to run another return pipe to the tank.......

[kenYO]

ur current setup looks ok.

I got the same problem with my chiller last time.

I solve the problem by getting a external temp controller from sim lim tower

[hammy]

what is the total volume of ur tank ?

And what is ur heat load equipment ? lighting?

the recommended flow rate for CL-280 is about 900l/h , running a 1000l/h pump with pipe friction and head loss , the flow will be seriously lower than the recommended flow rate and that will cause the chiller to kick in and out very frequently.

use a sicce extrema will be great for your chiller, was using that last time.

even a sicce nova at 1300l/hr cause the chiller to kick in/out very frequently.

although the CL 280 is rated for 280litres.. u might wanna give a 30-40 % discount to the rating as a buffer as i believe it might be overly rated .

so in all, if ur lighting is very strong ( with strong heat load 250 w MH ) , low flow through the chiller , and too big a water volume for the chiller to handle, the chiller will run non-stop.

other than that the thermostat is inaccurate , thus causing the temp to fluatuate faster than it should , getting a external thermostat will solve the prob as what bro KenYo suggested.

[fishlife]

my tank size is 30X18X18 with 24X12X12 sump, so it's abt 200 liters volume. Using a solite 2ft 4tubes ati t5ho lights. have a goniopora, plate coral, gsp 1 regal tang, 1 clown, 2 small damsels, 1 blenny and 1 blue leg hermit..... all of them has been with me for wuite some time in my previous tank.....

My fren has given me a brand new 1100lph Pro-3 italy made pump, so, will use it for the chiller i guess... but still unsure abt running it to the main tank or return it to the sump...

or how abt having the return pipe from chiller to join the return pipe to the main tank using a valve that only allow 1 way flow..as diagram