Chillerless in S FLorida!!!

JFK_Jr · 11-23-2006, 11:23 AM

Now that the summer is over in South Florida, I'd like to update everyone on my "Chillerless" reef tank.

Living in South Florida... I thought for sure I would have to get a chiller... but I didn't need it like I originally thought. All I can say is that my reef prospered at temperatures between 81 and 85 degrees.

My corals... SPS, LPS and softies all did very well and grew. My shrooms and polyps divided, and my Montipora Capp more than doubled it's size. Corraline algae has really taken off.

My three 250W MH's and my two 96W PC's are about 6" from the water surface and the canopy has four 4" temperature controlled variable speed fans blowing out from the top. I keep the tank completely uncovered (no glass tops) underneath the canopy and I aim my Tunze at the surface to keep the water agitated and promote better gas exchange. I had my stand built open in the back and I keep the cabinet doors open during the day. I think one of the biggest heat problems people have comes from having their sumps in completely enclosed stands.

My MH ballasts are stored in the stand. I did go with electronic ballasts to cut down the heat. I run an opposite lighting schedule so I don't have to cool my apartment while I'm at work... I also benefit by being able to enjoy the tank lit when I'm home.

My highest electric bill for the summer was $180.00 vs. my usual of $88.00 (pre reef tank)... not too bad I think.

Maybe I've been lucky?... I honestly don't think so. If the life we are keeping in our tanks comes from areas that have temperatures that I'm running at... why would they be unhappy with those temperatures in our tanks?

So... for anyone thinking of going chillerless... If I can do it in South Florida... then anyone can do it anywhere!

PS... Another good tip I forgot to mention to keep the ambient temperature down in your home...

I had all the windows in my condo tinted... made a huge difference in my apartment temperatures and also in my electric bill!

I also keep the shades closed and my home completely dark during the day.

blue_eyes53813 · 11-23-2006, 11:39 AM

Great news... and the tank looks great..

BrothaWolf · 11-23-2006, 11:41 AM

Your tank looks awesome!

boozeman · 11-23-2006, 11:58 AM

lcstorc · 11-23-2006, 01:57 PM

Great news. Makes me debate if a chiller is really what I want for Christmas. Most people seem to agree that temp fluctuation is the biggest problem. Have you had much fluctuation and how do you handle it other than the fans you mentioned?

JFK_Jr · 11-23-2006, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcstorc

Great news. Makes me debate if a chiller is really what I want for Christmas. Most people seem to agree that temp fluctuation is the biggest problem. Have you had much fluctuation and how do you handle it other than the fans you mentioned?

Since I run my tank temp higher than most, I keep a heater in the sump set to 80 degrees. Even at night when the lights are off my temp doesn't drop below 80 degrees. Also... my Reefkeeper 2 turns on and off my fans to keep the temperatures within range.

Even though my electric bill doubled to around $180 a month, It's still less than my friends setup with a chiller who lives in Ft. Myers FL. He spends over $300 a month on electricity.

The important thing for me living in a high-rise is... I don't have the luxury of a seperate equipment room. A bulky and noisy chiller in my living room was definitely not something I could live with.

iluvzigz · 11-23-2006, 10:15 PM

cool man..yeah my tank is lovin this cool weather..nice tips.

11-23-2006, 11:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
JFK_Jr Golden Moray Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hallandale Beach FL Posts: 2,108 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Chillerless in S FLorida!!! Now that the summer is over in South Florida, I'd like to update everyone on my "Chillerless" reef tank. Living in South Florida... I thought for sure I would have to get a chiller... but I didn't need it like I originally thought. All I can say is that my reef prospered at temperatures between 81 and 85 degrees. My corals... SPS, LPS and softies all did very well and grew. My shrooms and polyps divided, and my Montipora Capp more than doubled it's size. Corraline algae has really taken off. My three 250W MH's and my two 96W PC's are about 6" from the water surface and the canopy has four 4" temperature controlled variable speed fans blowing out from the top. I keep the tank completely uncovered (no glass tops) underneath the canopy and I aim my Tunze at the surface to keep the water agitated and promote better gas exchange. I had my stand built open in the back and I keep the cabinet doors open during the day. I think one of the biggest heat problems people have comes from having their sumps in completely enclosed stands. My MH ballasts are stored in the stand. I did go with electronic ballasts to cut down the heat. I run an opposite lighting schedule so I don't have to cool my apartment while I'm at work... I also benefit by being able to enjoy the tank lit when I'm home. My highest electric bill for the summer was $180.00 vs. my usual of $88.00 (pre reef tank)... not too bad I think. Maybe I've been lucky?... I honestly don't think so. If the life we are keeping in our tanks comes from areas that have temperatures that I'm running at... why would they be unhappy with those temperatures in our tanks? So... for anyone thinking of going chillerless... If I can do it in South Florida... then anyone can do it anywhere! PS... Another good tip I forgot to mention to keep the ambient temperature down in your home... I had all the windows in my condo tinted... made a huge difference in my apartment temperatures and also in my electric bill! I also keep the shades closed and my home completely dark during the day. __________________ *JFK_Jr's 150 Gallon Starphire*

11-23-2006, 11:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 7,241 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Cillerless in S FLorida!!! Great news... and the tank looks great.. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

11-23-2006, 11:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
BrothaWolf Acropora Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,798 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Cillerless in S FLorida!!! Your tank looks awesome! __________________ 75 Gal AGA Nano - 115lbs LR 140lbs LS Tunze 6025 x 3 40 gal DIY Sump/fuge 20lb LS 26lb LR Outer Orbit 150 HQI Mh x 2, 54w T5 x 4, 18 moons, ASM G3 Mated pair Yashia Gobies (seperated) and Red Band Pistol Shrimp, True Percula, Purple Fire Fish, Yellow Clown Goby, Orange Back Fairy Wrasse, Barber Pole Goby, Blood Shrimp, Crocea Clam, Scarlet Hermits, Cerith, Nassarius, Nerite and Margarita Snails (hold the salt) Zoas, Rics & Shrooms, Xenia, Hammer & Frog Spawn, Star Polyps, Blasto, Blue Anthelia, Lord Acans 29 Gal Oceanic Bio Cube- 40lbs LR 30lbs LS Sapphire Skimmer, DIY Nanotuners 4.36 Lighting, DIY Moonlights, DIY Mod CPR Refugium Randalls Goby, Zoa's ,Trach,Shrooms President: Crabs Make Me Itch Society

11-23-2006, 11:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
boozeman The CodFather ~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: new york Posts: 8,800 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Cillerless in S FLorida!!! __________________ ...and when I'm old and wise little things mean little to me like autumn winds they'll blow right through me and someday, in the mist of time when they ask you if you knew me remember that you were a friend of mine

11-23-2006, 01:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 21,928 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Chillerless in S FLorida!!! Great news. Makes me debate if a chiller is really what I want for Christmas. Most people seem to agree that temp fluctuation is the biggest problem. Have you had much fluctuation and how do you handle it other than the fans you mentioned? __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

11-23-2006, 10:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
iluvzigz Elegance coral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: palm beach FL Posts: 1,026 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Chillerless in S FLorida!!! cool man..yeah my tank is lovin this cool weather..nice tips. __________________ Ben *Member "Crabs Are Evil and Delicious" Society* http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...250#post172250

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