Chiller maintenance time - annual cleaning and checkup

[brisco]

I have chiller envy...I am currently chillerless and instead use the old COMPLETE PANIC method when my tank temp goes up in the summer! I use LED lighting so it isn't outrageous, but would love to get a chiller before the summer. Any clue to how much hp to get? 100 Gal DT with 25 Gal sump with a mixed reef.

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by brisco

I have chiller envy...I am currently chillerless and instead use the old COMPLETE PANIC method when my tank temp goes up in the summer! I use LED lighting so it isn't outrageous, but would love to get a chiller before the summer. Any clue to how much hp to get? 100 Gal DT with 25 Gal sump with a mixed reef.

Look on the sites where they sell chillers. They have charts that display system requirements.

Originally Posted by hillegom

Oh yes use care. Fins are very sharp. However, once you get one of these, you can fix the fins in your car as well, which is what I bought it for. Works wonders

Good find Dietmar, glad you found something that works for you
I've worked with cooling systems for nearly 30 years and I'm familiar with fin combs

[gregzz4]

Using fin combs is a delicate procedure, and you don't need to own a comb to work on your chiller

You can easily straighten out the cooling fins on your chiller using a small screwdriver - but be careful to not cut yourself or damage the tubes.

For most of us, we will never need to own a tool such as this, and all you will need to clean out your chiller is a can of compressed air, and a gallon of vinegar

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by brisco

I have chiller envy...I am currently chillerless and instead use the old COMPLETE PANIC method when my tank temp goes up in the summer! I use LED lighting so it isn't outrageous, but would love to get a chiller before the summer. Any clue to how much hp to get? 100 Gal DT with 25 Gal sump with a mixed reef.

1/4HP tops. I use a 1/2hp, and it drops the temp in minutes, but I got a great deal on it, so it's what I use. I've used 1/4hp on a 180 without issue, running 3 x 400w MH.

[gobytron]

so do you guys leave your chiller running at all times?

I take mine off when I'm not using it.

it's a 1/10th though, so much smaller than your guys'...

[Ryanerickson]

Mines hooked up all year it's there as a precaution I use ac to keep tank room cool in summer, chiller never turns on. last year I it turned on once because the breaker blew that the ac was on. I've cleaned my chiller once with vinegar it came out as clean as it was when it went in no plans of ever doing it again. I also just shut down my display it had a total of about 50' of pipe from return and drain I was very surprised after 4-5 years of use the pipes were very clean inside.

[Aquattro]

Mine runs all year, and is needed all year. I kind of cleaned it once after it froze solid from a dead pump.

[brisco]

I plan to get one just for those few days a year that cause me to pull out my hair when the temp in the tank is out of tolerance....need a quiet one.

[gobytron]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Mine runs all year, and is needed all year. I kind of cleaned it once after it froze solid from a dead pump.

Is the power draw just from the pump then or is the chiller itself drawing extra power while it's on?

I always assumed the chiller was a pretty inefficient piece of equipment so only hook it up when needed.

[Ryanerickson]

For me controller turns it on so its basically always off and water is supplied from return pump no extra power at all being used.