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Opinion on Chillers...???

zambavi

zambavi

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So I continue to look for a chiller for my new system. I am wanting something that is quiet, effective and energy efficient. With a 120g display, 40g sump/fuge and 40g Frag tank I'm going to call the total system volume at around 180-200 gallons. This will also need to sit next to the tank in my living room... and not offend my wife. ;)

Most of the year it is non-issue but for about 4 months of the year my house gets very warm. We have no central AC, just a few window units to keep bedrooms cool at night. So the house can get in the high 80's very often during the summer. With this tank being prodominately SPS I want a very stable temp. And with this being my first Chiller buy I'm hoping to get the BAR opinion. ;D

So... thus far I keep coming back to two models. From what I can tell the 1/4HP should be right for my size of system but please chime in if there are differing opinions on this; up or down. Both models have... 3000 BTU/HR, 115 Volts and 6 Amps... and both I have found new for around $750. What are your thoughts? What should I be thinking about? Other brands? Different HP? And to reiterate... Quiet, Energy Efficient and effective for my size of system.

Thanks for your help! I hope to get some good feedback here and maybe some good info that others may be able to use on the chiller quest.

JBJ Arctica Titanium Chiller DBE-200 1/4HP
3160796438_59f547dfc6_o.jpg


and

Oceanic Aquarium Chiller 1/4hp
3160796384_b664a20b42_o.jpg
 
additional important info... I would like to run in the 79-80 range. Tank can get up to 85-86 so I need a 5-7 degree reduction in temperature at least. Running Halides on DT and FT.
 
I have a 1/3HP TECO SeaChill Chiller on my system which is about 200g total volume and I have been very happy with it. It is more expensive then the $750 range though but I have no experience with the two models you show.
 
[quote author=alve link=topic=5791.msg72445#msg72445 date=1230925004]
I have a 1/3HP TECO SeaChill Chiller on my system which is about 200g total volume and I have been very happy with it. It is more expensive then the $750 range though but I have no experience with the two models you show.
[/quote]

Do you think you could of saved $100 or so and gone with the 1/5HP TECO instead and still be fine? I see the 1/3HP is rated for up to 400g and the 1/5HP is rated up to 200g. Cost around $850. Your thoughts?
 
1/5HP TECO SeaChill Chiller TR15
Rated for up to 200G
POWER CONSUMPTION: 350 W
Amps: 3.8
Btu/h: 2065
DbA: 40
Silent Mode DbA: 38
3160855362_1eb36d6265_o.jpg
 
The 1/3hp one definitely works really well. The 1/5hp should work as well, will just take a bit longer to bring the temperature down.

I went for the bigger one in case I upgrade or add another tank inline later on. Since the 1/3hp is rated for 200g I figured it would work at max capacity every time it kicks on. Not sure if my thinking is correct but I hope the bigger one will last longer because it doesn't have to work as hard to keep the temperature so less wear?
 
[quote author=alve link=topic=5791.msg72450#msg72450 date=1230926165]
The 1/3hp one definitely works really well. The 1/5hp should work as well, will just take a bit longer to bring the temperature down.

I went for the bigger one in case I upgrade or add another tank inline later on. Since the 1/3hp is rated for 200g I figured it would work at max capacity every time it kicks on. Not sure if my thinking is correct but I hope the bigger one will last longer because it doesn't have to work as hard to keep the temperature so less wear?
[/quote]

Hows the noise?... and electric bill with the 1/3HP TECO?
 
Noise is no issue at all.

And electrical bill... I honestly don't want to look at my electric bill in general because it is scary ;D
I really don't know how much it brought up my bill.
 
I run a 1/4 hp chiller (the name slips my mind) that comes out of oregon. my set up is appx 135-140 gallons for tank,sump. It works great in the summer but it is located in my den/office which does'nt have high ceiling and man does it get warm in there with the hot air coming from the back of the chiller, make sure your able to vent the hot air away from the tank otherwise you'll be battling heat issues again.

I also like Aldie do not wish to find out how much pg&e its cost to run the chiller... :(
 
Sergio, if its out of oregon its probably a pacific coast chiller. Its the same one I run. It works well and its the cheapest of all the chillers I've seen. It is a bit loud though. Not sure if its louder than other chillers but don't expect this one to be quiet.
 
Sergio made a good point about heat! My chiller is in a corner next to the tank, about 8 inches from the wall with the air outlet and this thing is blowing some real hot air! It's almost like having an electric heater turned on in summer blowing hot air. I noticed over summer that the chiller actually heated up the kitchen which is off course counter productive since it makes it have to work even more.
If I would not be renting I would have cut a hole in the wall already and have the hot air vent outside.
 
[quote author=alve link=topic=5791.msg72452#msg72452 date=1230927305]
Noise is no issue at all.

And electrical bill... I honestly don't want to look at my electric bill in general because it is scary ;D
I really don't know how much it brought up my bill.
[/quote]

From what i've been reading you've got yourself a super nice chiller there with the TECO 1/3HP. Any reasons you went with the more expensive brand of chillers... ie Teco? For nearly half the price you can get a couple of other brands.
 
[quote author=alve link=topic=5791.msg72459#msg72459 date=1230934332]
If I would not be renting I would have cut a hole in the wall already and have the hot air vent outside.
[/quote]

I'm also renting so no hole in the wall for me.
 
Pulling together side by side comparisons on chillers is a real PITA! Only about a third of them give the Db rating the rest just want you to trust them that theirs is quiet. :- ...and they don't all give the power usage in Watts. Anyone know of a side by side available out there that can help cut through the clutter?
 
[quote author=zambavi link=topic=5791.msg72460#msg72460 date=1230934366]
[quote author=alve link=topic=5791.msg72452#msg72452 date=1230927305]
Noise is no issue at all.

And electrical bill... I honestly don't want to look at my electric bill in general because it is scary ;D
I really don't know how much it brought up my bill.
[/quote]

From what i've been reading you've got yourself a super nice chiller there with the TECO 1/3HP. Any reasons you went with the more expensive brand of chillers... ie Teco? For nearly half the price you can get a couple of other brands.
[/quote]

When I started saltwater 8 years ago I made some bad choices with trying to save money and go with the cheapest available. I learned the hard way that eventually it ends up costing more so when I upgraded tanks last year I decided not to cut costs with trying to go as cheap as possible but instead I wanted quality equipment.
Not that expensive always means quality but I read a lot of good reviews about the Teco Chiller so I decided it was worth the money and after having it for about 7-8 months I have been very happy with it.

About the noise level: it has a "silent mode" but I don't even use that. Just regular mode doesn't bother anyone in the family.
 
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