which chiller size to use for 4 x 2.5 x 2.5 ft tank

[pandagold]

I'm planning my new tank and need to know what would be the best chiller size for 4 x 2.5 x 2.5 ( main tank ) + 2 x 2.5 x 2 feet sump tank

Thanks in advance for your advice

[Solo77]

Easily 1/3

[pandagold]

Bro, but I see you're using 1 hp chiller for your 4x2x2 tank .

I would like to have overpower than underpower which will stress the chillier

[Solo77]

Mine is using drop-in. In general, 1/3 should be able to support yr setup. If u have deep pocket, no one can stop u from going overpower chiller. Hope this clarifies.

[pandagold]

pardon me bro if I've sounded incorrect .

Currently my 3x2x2 tank is only running in 1/7 hp Fish cooler chillier and not having any problems with chilling down to 26 degress ( 45 mins ) .

I just need clarification why a smaller tank like yours needs 1 hp while this tank I'm frabricating requires 1/3 hp , since I have no known knowledge drop in coil chiller requires more hp to cool down tank .

So for now, my idea of drop in coil have to be shelved .

[pandagold]

By the way, since you have experience with drop in coil, does it chill the tank faster than conventional chillier ?

If it's a trade off using higher hp chillier for faster chilling, I may decide drop in instead .

[Solo77]

Hi, there are many factors to determine yr choice of drop-in vs standalone. Also, there are many factors to determine yr heat load and chiller requirement. For drop-in, in general the compressor is near 1hp and depending on the distance of yr compressor and tank, you may need more than 1hp. If u want to find out from those who did study, contact chill down for advice. For me, I don't want the heat to affect my house and just nice I was renovating my hse, I proceed with drop-in coil. For yt info, I used to own a 1/5 artica to cool my 2ft cube with a 1ft cube sump and with 3 pumps, it takes ard 25 to 30 min to cool down one degree and it will last ard 2 hrs. For the drop in, as there is no noise when it kicks in, I don't really monitor and I don have prior experience in keeping 4th using standalone bs drop in. However, I do have friends who had experience and given positive feedback. Try doing a search as this was discussed before. All the best.

[dnsfpl]

1/3 should be good enough

4x2.5x2 with 3x2x2 sump

rest for 2.5 hours, kick in at 27.3

took less than an hour to chill to 26.7

cheers

[BFG]

I am also using a drop in coil chiller but mine is inside my house, just next to the tank. The heat coming out of this chiller is not an issue in my home as it takes about 25 minute to chill from 26c to 25c. Previously was using a Resun CL650 and it was quite hot in my home that it damaged my dad's Coca cola can collection. My tank is a 4x2x2 with a 3ft sump in a 6ft cabinet.

The reason some of us are using 'over power' chiller is that it helps when the weather is getting hot. Getting a snugly fit chiller might not be a good choice though when the hot months are upon us. The chiller might be straining to work in the hot weather while a higher rating chiller easily overcome the hot weather. Less stress for tank owners to think about as I've experienced a chiller break down once and I do not want to go through it again as the number of corals lost during that incident is worth the extra money spent to get a larger hp chiller.

[pandagold]

At this moment, I'm scouting for 1/2 hp conventional chiller or 1 hp coil chiller (but likely going for coil chiller instead ) .

If I could add, coil chiller would likely be my choice as it does not require a pump to constantly feed it, and if this feed pump fails, all my SPS and coral will be in coral Heaven .... hehe

With conventional chiller , the cost of running this chiller feed pump, would escalate my electrical bill ( runs 24/7 ), would accumulate the same cost as 1hp coil chiller and not to mention no fear of feed-pump failer !!

Anyway, anyone knows if someone is selling their 1 hp coil chiller ?

[Gouldian]

At this moment, I'm scouting for 1/2 hp conventional chiller or 1 hp coil chiller (but likely going for coil chiller instead ) .

If I could add, coil chiller would likely be my choice as it does not require a pump to constantly feed it, and if this feed pump fails, all my SPS and coral will be in coral Heaven .... hehe

With conventional chiller , the cost of running this chiller feed pump, would escalate my electrical bill ( runs 24/7 ), would accumulate the same cost as 1hp coil chiller and not to mention no fear of feed-pump failer !!

Anyway, anyone knows if someone is selling their 1 hp coil chiller ?

Bro,

You are right! One of the problem with conventional chiller is the feed pump to carry water to the chiller and back, and most of us know that the 1hp chiller that is place far away from the tank will require some decent pumps to move the water.

Whereas the air-con unit, they are manufacture to carry refrigerants from the external unit to the coil and you do not require any additional pumps or power to do that.

I believe Milch have a compressor unit for sale.

[pandagold]

just fabricated my new tank and it's 4*2.5*2 .

My wife not really into drop in as it the fan coil is too large for our newly renovated kitchen .

I've seen several 1/4 hp Artica chiller for sale . Would this be enough to cool down this tank ?

[dnsfpl]

1/4 should be sufficient but imo 1/3 is better

[desideria]

1/3 is better but honestly compressor is better! If you can install the compressor, GO FOR IT

[pandagold]

looks like I have to buy my wife a romantic dinner tonight ...

Discussed with her this morning and we're waiting for the installer for site survey tonight on the size of the chiller before making a final decision .

[digibee]

Yeah, 1 hp compressor will also take care of your future upgrades ... ... ooops

[desideria]

digibee,, good one... That is also another good consideration!! FUTURE UPGRADES!

[Underwater]

i agree drop in is the choice if possible. So much faster and without those irritating heat in the living room. But, touch wood, what if it's not upgrade but a decomm later? The compressor and all the pipings ard in the house how? Got to hack out and repatch & repaint the walls wor.

[pandagold]

after meeting with another aircon contractor, we're convience of using dropin coil + condensor unit .

For our setup, there should not be any major piping links or hacking, since the placement of chiller and coil is one above the other about 8 feet apart .

The condensor unit will be set Perpendicular against the tank inorder to prevent the heat from the condensor from reaching the tank.