Microchiller

[Sweetpea]

Has anyone had any experience with this?
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_chillers_coolworks_microchiller.asp?CartI d= (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_searchitem.asp)

The temperature in my 20 gallon tank is climbing to 85+ during the day. There is no canopy or lighting of any kind on it. It is located in the bay window in my kitchen, but it does not receive any direct sunlight. Oh, the heater has been unplugged, too. I am running an Aqua C Remora w/ the MaxiJet 1200, plus 3 MaxiJet 900's. I have unplugged one of the powerheads, but so far I have not noticed a difference in the temps.

$150 seems reasonable to spend for a chiller for my nano... I just wonder if it's any good! ;)

Any thoughts are welcome!

[perpetual98]

Looks like it's just an IceProbe chiller stuck into an AquaClear HOB filter. I would think that you should be able to get an IceProbe from the same place for $105 or even cheaper if you can get a used one on nano-reef.com

[Sweetpea]

Doesn't the Iceprobe require you to drill a hole in the tank? Being that mine is already set up and fully cycled, I'd hate to take it apart again. Is there some way to make it work?

[perpetual98]

Well, you could pick up a cheapo Walmart HOB filter and pop the IceProbe into that, but by the time you did that, you might be at the same cost as the microchiller. I suppose it's also possible to pop one into your skimmer, but I'm not terribly familiar with your skimmer.

[fishyshawn]

you could try this its supposed to drill in to the hood of a nano cube but i just bought the part that cools and im going to mess around with it till it works i ordered it on the 18th and it said 'instock' and i got the '2-3 day' shipping but it hasn't arrived and they emailed me today telling me its 'out of stock'. why didnt they tell me that to begin with. oh well you could try this its not very expensive. http://nanotuners.nanocustoms.com/nanotuners/product_info.php?cPath=34&products_id=79

[Sweetpea]

That looks interesting... you'll have to let us know how it works (when you get it)!

[unleashed]

what about this one the micro specifies 10gal tanks this one below does not have a size stated but shows various ways to connect it http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_chillers_coolworks_iceprobe.asp?CartId=
and controller http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CW1113

[Sweetpea]

Thanks Lynn! You are right there with what I was thinking! ;) I came across the Ice Probe a couple of weeks ago, but I couldn't consider it because I don't want to tear down the tank to drill a hole in it. :(

Eric - I've looked at the dimensions, and I don't see how I could rig it to work in my skinny skimmer. (It was a good idea, though!) You're probably right about buying the probe and a HOT filter... I'd be about at the same price as purchasing the thing already made. Plus, I still have to buy the controller, which puts me at $210.

Hmm... I wonder when JBJ will be releasing their Nano-Arctica? ;)

[perpetual98]

Hey Tracy, did you ever come up with a solution? I just got pricing from Coolworks. If I could get a few people together, I could probably get some good pricing.

Later!
Eric

[Sweetpea]

Hey Tracy, did you ever come up with a solution?
For the time being, my skimmer is on a timer to run while the lights are off. The temp is hovering around 81.5... not where I'd like it to be, but a vast improvement. I have my eye on the Current 1/15th hp chiller. I like it because it has a plug for and will control the heater too. $300 is a bit steep, though. I don't know what exactly I'm going to do. :rolleyes: