pepetj

Hi everyone.
I need to install a chiller for my red-salmon Rainbowfish tank, a 4footer, 40gal.
Temp is too high for them (29C, around 84.2F) allready has lost 3 out of 7, apparently due to a high temperature related/triggered metabolic syndrome (they die without any observable sign, other than braking away from the school for a day or two, then turned pale with dark areas that seem to come from underskin, engage in erratic swimming -vertically alligned, then upside down, flipping, overbreathing, and die within an hour of onset of these rare symptoms).

I will be looking and purchasing one small chiller tomorrow, since I can't afford to keep loosing this vulnerable but precious creatures, and I have the day off. I recall I saw a small one (probably 1/10 or 1/15 HP) but I will check other LFSs tomorrow.

Keep in mind I live in the Caribbean, where temp is steady at 27-30C (81-86F). Probably due to water agitation from HOBs and location without direct exposure to sunlight, the temp range from all my tanks is 26-29C (79-84F). So I use no heaters.

I have never installed a chiller before, what water pump should I get? what type of tubes? please share your experience with me, so I learn from you asap.

I'm going to try hard, as much as I can, to provide propper care to them.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

pepetj

Erratum: installing not intalling (sorry for that one)

Pepe
Santo Domingo

Dino

While I have not worked with a chiller for years, so my knowledge may be out of date, any decent powerhead should work to force the water into the chiller.
Any tubing that can be used for home plumbing use, should be ok.

peacemaker92

Chiller? Hmm... Never heard of one. I'm not very experienced I guess with temperature controllers such as heaters. Sorry!

Hope you find the right chiller! Good luck!

pepetj

OK so this is what I have at hand to purchase locally:

Pro Clear Aquatic Systems model 75 Sump Wet/Dry Filter
Dimensions- 20"L X 8"W X 18"H
Capacity- 75 Gal OR 300 GPH
Bio Area: 2.4 Gal (9.1L)
SUMP: 8.75 Gal (33.1L)
Recommended pump:476GPH (1,800LPH)
See picture at: http://www.pro-clear.com/wetdry.html

In-Line Chiller:
Resun CL-280
Power: 280W (950BTU); 1/10HP
Recommended. Pump: >900LPH (238GPH)
8°C Below 300L (14.5°F Below 80Gallon)
15°C Below 200L (27°F Below 53Gallon)
Size: 31x30x35cm (12.2x11.8x13.8")
See picture at: http://www.aquariumsrus.com.au/heaters/cl280.htm

Question(s):
Must I use two separate water pumps?
Would an adjustable-flow powerhead make a good substitution for a submerged water pump to bring the water from the sump into the chiller?
What type of flexible hose/tubing should I look for? what type must I avoid?

Thank you
Pepe
Santo Domingo

pepetj

Ok so I got the chiller (Resun CL-280) and the Wet/Dry (Pro Clear Aquatic Systems mod. 75). I couldn't get it yesterday due to the tropical storm Gustavo (turned into Hurricane today). My Red-Salmon and Lake Kutubus didn't make the trip to Santo Domingo. But I got another type or Rainbowfish: Boesemani, that I will wait to pass quaranteene at the LFS (I might need another tank for them in the long run, their water parameters are a bit different but there's some possible overlap, so as juveniles they'll be in the Red-Salmon tank, at least until my ordered Reds make it home safe).

I just installed the whole thing, but I'm concerned on a couple of issues. I have not -and will not power up until safe AC wiring-breaker is checked/fixed - the Chiller unit; but I am running water through it. So far no spills or leaks (I'm amazed). I did have my moment of brilliance (meaning the opposite) when I noticed the tank water level dropping down too much -I forgot to add water -from other than the tank (treated tap water) to compensate for the water volume "staying" at the sump.

I'm using a powerhead that exceeds the specs of 300GPH in the Wet/Dry filter by 70GPH (nominal 370GPH). So far it is working well as water circulation goes and the Wet/Dry seems to be in equilibrium.

I will shut the power off to see what happens and if there's any disaster-waiting-to-happen since in Santo Domingo, power outages are, if not a daily thing, a highly probable one (more than raining, if you know what I mean), even if for just a few minutes I will have power interruptions (until the emergency plant comes in, and when changing back to city energy).

The good thing is that due to the stormy weather, the temp in the tank has been 27-28C, dropping to 26-27C with the frozen drinking water bottles. So it has spared them some stress. The pair of surviving Red-Salmon Rainbowfish seem to be Male (confirmed) and Female (likely), which is also a good thing happening.

Will keep you updated, and remember all your comments and suggestions are needed as well as welcomed

Pepe
Santo Domingo

pepetj

Update: Around 1:00AM had everything in check and turned the chiller on. It is working wonderfully, tank temp at 1:00PM today (12 hours of functioning) steady at 26-27C. The fish are striving!

This was easier to do than I figured (maybe in part because I took my time researching, asking questions and getting good guidance).

Electric bill came last Monday, so this month should give me an idea of the impact of this small chiller running 24/7. It's a 1/10 HP, 280W unit so now I will observe and log info on start-up/shut-down times and explore possible ways to make this more efficient.

By the way I removed the AquaClear 50 and left the AquaClear 70 running. I'm working now with (350+370)=720GPH filtration flow for 50gals of water (40 in the tank, 10 in the sump).

Thank you
Pepe
Santo Domingo