Temperature/Chiller

[ray28576]

I have an Arctica 1/10 HP Chiller on my 75gl setup. My temp will go from about 78 degrees to around 81 while my lights are on. Is this fluctuation in temp a problem, and does anyone know why my chiller isn't keeping up. It says it can handle up to a 130 gl system.

 

[dennis210]

What temp is it set at? Also how many gph from pump running throught it?

 

[ray28576]

It is set at 78, and it has about 400-500 gph going through it.

 

[sh00tist]

I would try getting some fans blowing over your lights,across the water surface and one down above your sump. With good ventilation around your lights and sump you should see a big change in temp. Your temp swings really arent anything to get paranoid about but it could be better.

 

[dennis210]

It's strange that a chiller doesn't keep it constant. Mine set at 79 keeps water at 78.5 - 79.5. If it isn't new has it been cleaned. If it is new look in paperwork under trouble shooting and see if it has a section or two on temp swings.

 

[maxalmon]

If you have the chiller inside the stand, you might have airflow issues, as the chiller maybe overheating.

 

[maxalmon]

Oh yeah, do you have a glass cover on the tank?

 

[dennis210]

Maxamon's question is great, Chillers need a lerge volume of air that is colder than fluid you are trying to cool down. I had to put mine through the wall into an adjacent room.

 

[abethedog]

Think of a chiller as a smaller version of your central air unit outside your house. It takes ambient air and pushes it though coils to strip the heat from the coolant. If you are recirulating the waste air (hot air) back into the chiller your are dramatically lowering its efficiency.

 

[maxalmon]

Another factor is that chillers have their limits, a lot depends on how much lighting you have, my 75g had 2x250 and 2x65 and the chiller was almost useless, lights put off more heat than the chiller could handle, thats why you should always go up 1 model when you pick out a chiller, if it's says you need a 1/10th hp, get the 1/4hp...Overkill is better on chillers as they don't have to work as hard to keep the temp in check

 

[acrylic51]

Agree chiller might be undersized for your application even though manufacturer states it will handle it.....The other obvious is where the chiller is mounted....if in the stand as pointed out it needs good air flow, and you have to remember if that's where it's mounted the heat it puts off is being absorbed right back into the sump or water volume if under the stand as well.