Chiller solution for 29g tank with no sump?

[flier-x]

Anybody have a good recommendation for a chiller solution for this set up?
I am looking for a chiller primarliy to deal with those days when I'm out of town for a week here and there during the summer.

Normally, the temps where I live don't get hot enough to worry, but a week here and there in the summer do.

When I'm home, I can deal with keeping the tank cool with big fans and floating ice. But I have no doubt that the heat waves will hit when i'm not home :-)

[CATALYST]

I just ordered Aquarium Chillers: Current USA Prime Chiller - 1/10 HP. The 1/15 one. I just woke up this morning to my tank being 86...gah! Apparently you can plug your heater into it and it will control both. I'll don't currently have a sump but it will be coming soon.

[flier-x]

I am very curious to hear how the hook-up for it went, how noisy it is, etc... I do not know this brand. I have seen JBJ has one in this size.

Please keep me advised.
Thanks
F-X

[flyforfood99]

What do you keep your room temperature at? I'm a bit of a nut and keep my place around 74 and I never have heat problems even with about 7 watts/gal.

[DaveK]

I don't think a chiller is going to be very cost effective on a 29 gal tank, especially one with no sump.

I would look to using a screen over the top and a fan to move air across the water surface for cooling.

You could also get a room air conditioner, and keep the room temp and aquarium temp down that way.

[flier-x]

House does not have central air, and room air conditioner not practical. Most of the time, where I live, temp. is not a problem. However, there are days here and there that get pretty hot. Last year we had a heat wave and the air temp. in the house got into the 90s for a few days in a row. I'm worried that this will happen this year or some year when I'm on summer vacation for a week.

There must be something that will work.

[sasquatch]

if you cant use a window aircon how about the portables, weve got 2 and they are perfect and quite quiet

[DaveK]

Yes, there are things that will work, but I'd not consider them cost effective.

A typical chiller has a starting price of about $800. It would do a fantastic job, and all you got to do is drop the cooling element into the tank. However, look at the price. That could be as much as you spent on the whole rest of the system.

They do make chillers for nano's, but even these run $300 - $400.

There are also items like th Ice Probe - See this offsite link - CoolWorks Ice Probe with Power Supply - Marine Depot - Marine and Reef Aquarium Super Store
Even these cost about $100 each, and you'd need two or 3 of them for your tank, and to install them, you'd have to drain and drill the tank.

As you can see, any of these solutions are expensive. This is why I recommended that you use a screen across the top of the tank, and a fan. You could also use a small powerhead to break up the water surface, to aid evaporation. This gives you cooling that is inexpensive, and should get you through the few days where you have high temps.

I would at least try this, before I spent a lot on other forms of chilling.

[BoomerD]

You could possibly use a couple of the IceProbe "chillers"...each one is supposed to bring 10 gallons of water down 6-8 degrees...


IceProbe Aquarium / Water Chiller by Coolworks - Marine Depot - Marine and Reef Aquarium Super Store

I've seen a few nano tanks with these modded into an AquaClear HOB filter, and I now see them sold as a complete unit:


I see Dave beat me to it...I started this last night and never finished the post...


MicroChiller for Nano-Reef Tanks or Small Aquariums - Marine Depot - Marine and Reef Aquarium Super Store

[burning2nd]

ato+ probe with several fans....

heat goes up fans turn on..... high cfm fan?

[rDr4g0n]

if window ac units arent practical, then chances are a chiller wont be either. best bet is to keep the lid off and use some fans. it will increase evap, but will probably be less expensive than a chiller and the accomapnying power bill. you can always do a DIY radiator and fan....

[mps9506]

The issue I see is that the house does not have central air. If the room is hovering around 90 degrees, and you have all your lights and pumps on and the chiller cuts on, the room temp will probably jack up even more, just making everything less efficient.
You might want to consider a controller that will cut off your lights if it is getting that hot. That might be cheaper than the entire chiller unit.

[CATALYST]

I saw this cool fan...5" Jobsite Fan with Lights

[CATALYST]

I got the prime chiller. I haven't set it up with the tank yet but I've been playing with it in the sink. I like that it will control the heater too. I tested by having a sink of hot water. It was pretty quiet...quieter than the fans in my aquapod. It does need a pump to run. In the sink I used a MJ 900. It worked with a rio 50 too but I'm not sure that it will be enough once it's in the tank. I think something in between would be perfect. I plan on having it hooked up full time. My husband took all of our tools to the shop so I can cut anything to install this (I have to cut holes in the hood). I think this is a worthwhile investment and will give me peace of mind while I leave the house in the summer.

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by mps9506

The issue I see is that the house does not have central air. If the room is hovering around 90 degrees, and you have all your lights and pumps on and the chiller cuts on, the room temp will probably jack up even more, just making everything less efficient.
You might want to consider a controller that will cut off your lights if it is getting that hot. That might be cheaper than the entire chiller unit.

Here is an ongoing thread to a controller that will do that and SO much more!!
Need a Neptune Aquacontroller? Group Buy!

and here is the link to the unit itself
AquaController Jr

I am SERIOUSLY thinking about getting one of these myself!!

Allen