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View Poll Results: Do I need a chiller on a 50 gallon tank with a 175w metal halide?
Yes 13 16.25%
No 67 83.75%
Voters: 80. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1  
Old 06-08-2011, 04:56 AM
windcoast reefs windcoast reefs is offline
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Default Do I need a chiller?

Hi everyone,

I am thinking of purchasing a 175 watt metal halide for my 50 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump. The tank has no lid on it, just mesh. I run approximately 350 GPH through the sump and have 2 koralia 750 power heads for flow. I am in the first floor of a house and the tank is never exposed to sunlight. Do you think I will need to run a chiller to have a fixture like this? Thanks for all you input!

Last edited by windcoast reefs; 06-08-2011 at 05:49 AM.
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  #2  
Old 06-08-2011, 05:19 AM
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Actually it is hard to say. We need more info.

For example, my first SW tank was a 28G JBJ, with a full covered top. The heat didn't escape with the 150W Halide, and that caused heat build up, so I needed a chiller. but with my 180G with 100G sump, I do not as it is an open top. I don't even use heaters, as my house is climate controlled which keeps my tank stable as well.

So it will depend on your setup, if you cover, type and volume of flow, and well many factors.

So I can't vote, as you don't have Maybe as an option.
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  #3  
Old 06-08-2011, 05:36 AM
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I found with mine it depends if the room gets hot in the summer I need a chiller but since I've had it in my basement I haven't needed one.
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Old 06-08-2011, 05:41 AM
windcoast reefs windcoast reefs is offline
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Okay I will add some more info to the original post!
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Old 06-08-2011, 09:55 AM
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Whatever you do, don't buy the chiller until you actually know that you need it. Buying a chiller in the planning stages would be a mistake as you can't know for sure that you will need it. In general, stock piling hardware for a build is never a good idea especially chillers.

Use evaporative cooling as a first attempt at controlling temp. If you don't already have one, use the money that you budgeted for a chiller to by a controller instead. Now you can use the temp probe to turn fans on and off.

Evaporative cooling leads to it's own set if problems like high humidity, but you can usually solve that problem by opening a window.

- Brad
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Old 06-08-2011, 12:51 PM
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I'd lean towards the no side of maybe If the room doesn't get hot, and you have no canopy, you might not. In fact I hope not, since I'm setting up a 50 with a MH
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Old 06-08-2011, 06:28 PM
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i think a fan over the sump will suprise you in how much it lowers the temp.... does a great job... got mine for 10 bucks at wally world. i run it in the summer but not the winter..
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Old 06-08-2011, 07:50 PM
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As long as your're comfortable with top-off (maybe go auto top-off) then I'd say Fan only, but it'll cause a lot of evap.

I have dual 250's over 90G and I have built 2 large "ultra quiet" PC fans into the hood and they're controlled by my Apex.

Works great, No chiller necessary. Although to be honest I am thinking of going LED this summer for heat and electricty reduction.
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Old 06-09-2011, 01:12 AM
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My friend uses a air pump put in his fridge and runs airhose to his sump lol works in a pinch.
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Old 06-09-2011, 01:35 AM
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So It sounds like I can probably get away without a chiller, so Im going to consider a metal halide for my lighting on this new tank I just set up.
Thanks for your input!
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