CHiller or Fans?
- Thread starter jamescobb22
- Start date
It depends... If you do what I did and get a much larger chiller than is required for your tank, your electric bills wont go through the roof! I have a 75g and I have a 1/4hp Aquaeuro chiller on my tank, it never moves between 78 and 79 degrees. as for heat....I do have an MP40w on it so that helps, however, I have 2-250w hamilton MH's.
Really depends on the size of your tank and the range of the temperature swings. An adequate amount of fans for your size of a tank can probably lower the temp about 2-4 degrees. If your tank is getting up to 84-86ish when the T5's are on, you should probably just get the chiller.
Fans = slightly lower temp, more evaporation (thus causing you to need to top-off more), small energy footprint
Chiller = any temp you want, no evap, insane energy footprint
Fans = slightly lower temp, more evaporation (thus causing you to need to top-off more), small energy footprint
Chiller = any temp you want, no evap, insane energy footprint
Fans V. Chiller... The battle continues...
Here is the biggest difference I see. fans the temperature fluctuates up and down constantly (UNLESS YOU HAVE A CONTROLLER) and even still the temperature can fluctuate pretty good. With a chiller you are paying a little more, but it is absolute that your temperature won't fluctuate whether it's hot outside, or cold outside.
Other problems: fans use evaporation to cool the tank...therefore as the water evaporates off the room the tank it is in becomes humid. Also, they are inefficient in the way they cool... even though evaporation works well, sometimes it can work a little too well and as long as there is water in the tank the fans will continue to lower the temperature of the water. At the same time, the fan may not be enough on a super warm day and your tank temperature will still rise to dangerous levels.
Chillers basically eliminate all the guess work with temperature. They guarantee that the temperature for the most part remains constant. My temperature in my tank now doesn't even fluctuate a degree between day and nite hours and temperatures.
Here is the biggest difference I see. fans the temperature fluctuates up and down constantly (UNLESS YOU HAVE A CONTROLLER) and even still the temperature can fluctuate pretty good. With a chiller you are paying a little more, but it is absolute that your temperature won't fluctuate whether it's hot outside, or cold outside.
Other problems: fans use evaporation to cool the tank...therefore as the water evaporates off the room the tank it is in becomes humid. Also, they are inefficient in the way they cool... even though evaporation works well, sometimes it can work a little too well and as long as there is water in the tank the fans will continue to lower the temperature of the water. At the same time, the fan may not be enough on a super warm day and your tank temperature will still rise to dangerous levels.
Chillers basically eliminate all the guess work with temperature. They guarantee that the temperature for the most part remains constant. My temperature in my tank now doesn't even fluctuate a degree between day and nite hours and temperatures.
