What chiller to get...

[comycus]

Finally getting my DT done up... can't wait! I m kinda in a dillema now... against better judgement, I decided to go sumpless for my 3x2x2 setup, n use canister filter instead. Decided to get an Eheim 2075 when a good deal came along.

so, i'm gonna hook up tank>canister>chiller>tank. the Eheim has a pump output of 1250L/hr. so what chiller should i get tt is suitable for my tank size? i'm definitely limited by the slow flow rate of the canister. I'm assuming that after taking into account sand, live rocks etc, should end up with around 250L water in the tank, is this assumption correct? Hoping the Hailea will be enough...

Or any other suggestions?

[albinosage]

Considering that a 1/10 chiller is what most people would use for nano and 2ft tanks, I would say either chillers would be overworked for a 3x2x2. Rather than to use the canister filter to feed the chiller, why not use a dedicated pump for the chiller so you won't be restricted by the flow rate?

[comycus]

hmm you mean to say a 250L tank can't be chilled effectively by a chiller rated at <400L (Hailea) of <500L (Teco)?

Just gathering opinion, coz most of the 2ft tanks here also have sump, refugium etc. which I won't have. I derived 250L as the true value of water in the tank after factoring canister, live rocks, sand etc.

[albinosage]

It is actually better to get a slightly overpowered chiller, so that the bigger cooling reservoir will chill the water faster and longer, resulting in longer intervals between kick in, save electricity. If you get a chiller that is "just nice", it may run constantly or more frequently, and even if the wattage of the chiller is lower, that may cost more in terms of consumption.

I'm using a 1/10 chiller for my tank which is about 75 litres of water after taking into account the rocks and sand. It takes 50 minutes to pull down 2 degrees, then another 90 minutes to 2 hours before kick in again. This is cheaper for me than running a 1/15 or 1/20 chiller constantly.

End of the day the efficiency of a chiller is a co-relation between water volume, flow rate, ambient temperature and your chiller power. I think it's safe to say no two set ups will have the exact same specs and requirement.

[comycus]

That makes sense. I guess i'm trying to find out how much of an 'overpowered' chiller I really need to be safe w/o the chiller kicking in like every other 10 min or so. Thanks for your feedback binosage!

Will monitor the ambient temperature during my cycling month before i decide on my course of action. Edmund is bringing in the Hailea 250a (1/6hp) which cools up to 600L of water, flow rate of 600-2000L/hr. Maybe this will work with my canister?

Hope other bros can comment too. Would like to balance between an effective chiller and less clutter outside, therefore really hoping the idea of connecting chiller to canister is still do-able.