Best Value Chiller?

Well, my temp is staying a little bit higher than I like, and even with the open top and fans on the sump, it's still staying at around 80 degrees (I'd like to get it down to 78 or so).

In the summer I have no doubt I'll need a chiller, so I'm starting to look now, plus I plan on upgrading to MH lighting in the near future, so I'll need the chiller for that as well?

What chiller is the best value for say, 100 gallons? And seeing that I want to lower the temperature 2 degrees now, possibly 5-6 in the summer, what size? I was thinking 1/4 HP would be sufficient.

 

I don't use a chiller. I'm still not sure they are worth the extra money spent on the unit, plus added electrical costs. A large size fan over the tank should keep temps down. The newer thinking for average reef temperature is around 81 degrees. Never exceeding 86 degrees.

 

Yeah. I'm looking at getting a set of fans for the hood I'm working on. I think 4 80mm fans on the back and 2 on the sides all pushing air in with large vent registers on top, pushing warm air out. I turned the temp down a bit in my house and that seems to have gotten it fine for now. It drops to 78.8 degrees at night and the highest I've seen it is 81.2 degrees in the day. I'd like it more consistent, but it's not bad.

 

I run a Prime 1/3 hp Tower Chiller for my 125gal it works just fine. Its a little noisy but it works good you'll need a pump that will push around 600 gph and your heater no more than 300 watts if you get the dual stage which is nice. That way your not cooling and heating at the same time!!

 

JBJ makes great chillers. ;p

 

Aqua Euro USA makes very cost effective chillers as well.