beginner's chiller query - noise levels, can turn off at night?

[erwinx]

Hi, beginner here so pardon my ignorance.

I've read some threads on chillers where some don't like the noise, some are ok with the noise, one even said his neighbour complained of the noise (depends on brand).

Since its hotter during the day, especially my new beginner's tank is a room that gets morning sun (though the tank itself is in the shade). The highest room temp I've measured in the daytime after a very hot day is 32 degrees but 30 degrees is normal.

If i get a chiller, its more for the day rather than the night. So the chiller if I get one, is not for getting super cold temps but rather to prevent water from going past 28 degrees into the 30 degree zone. Night time 28 degree no problem of course.

Can I just use an electronic timer to switch the chiller on for daytime and off at the night?
(1) Does it 'spoil' the chiller if I use timer to switch it on and off
(2) When electronic timer switches the chiller on and off, does the chiller autorestart and remember the previous setting?

Finally, any recommendations for a chiller for 2ft tank for my usage, not getting super cold temps but for preventing temps from going into the 30 degree zone during the daytime?

[felix_fx2]

if the chiller is in a room where there is already aircon during the night. It should not kick in much at all.
No need to totally off, chiller noisy when it kicks in to cool the water.

[Shadow]

I've read some threads on chillers where some don't like the noise, some are ok with the noise, one even said his neighbour complained of the noise (depends on brand).

Seriously neighbour complain? it should not be that loud until neighbour can hear it . by right you should not be able to heard it once you are at other room.

28C is easily achievable using fan, if you don't mind to do water top up daily.

The noise is come from the compressor. It only happen when it cooling the water, otherwise it will be on standby no noise at all.

[erwinx]

thanks for the advice. will KIV chiller at the moment and try other cooling methods.

[greenie]

I say get a chiller because using fan your temp will fluctuate based on the ambient temperature.

Tank size play a part too to cool a tank using just a fan. Also, using fan requires to always need to top up the tank, this is from my personal experience.

Just remember, if you decided to get a chiller, among other things get a slightly higher flow rate filter as the cooling coil of the chiller will drastically slow down your filter flow rate.

I'm using a HAILEA 1/10 HP chiller with a Eheim 2217 filter. The outlet flow to tank drop a lot if chiller is in line with filter.

Bypassing the chiller I get higher outlet flow. I did a bypass piping loop to bypass chiller in case I need.

Now thinking of using a Eheim 1250 pump instead of the 2217 pump to get higher flow rate.

But I'm happy with the chiller as it swings between 25-26C only and weekly water changes is enough to make up for water loss through evaporation.

[erwinx]

Thanks for the advice, hope you don't mind answering a couple of questions as I'm very new to this. I left a digital thermometer in my living room, the peak air temp in a shaded area of the room for the day is as high as 32 degrees (room gets direct sum but tank is in a shaded area). I don't have water thermometer yet, but I feel the water might even be touching 29-30 degrees during the hottest period of the day?


In the event of power cut:

---does the chiller restart automatically and does it have memory to remember the last setting
---if the chiller is 'off' but the water pump /canister filter is on, I assume that there will still be water flow through the chiller?

could you let me know which LFS have the best range of Hailea chiller as not a common item? eg: my nearest LFS is C328 but I don't see any chiller displayed (but the shop layout is messy, maybe I missed it)

I am still inclined to getting a timer to shut down the chiller at night because I don't want any unwanted sounds... (I know 'by right' no sound... but...) Thanks again!

[Shadow]

Chiller will restart automatically, it does have memory from previous setting.
if chiller is off, water still flow through it but wont be chill.

If I remember correctly, seaview have different model of Hailea chiller. C328 may have but you need to ask the aunty, sometime they keep on their store room.

[greenie]

I bought the new version HS-28A. Got it at C328 Polyart. They have price list hung near the cashier counter of the various chillers.

My ambient air temp around 31.5C and water temp about 1 degC lower. I you decides on a chiller, the chiller placement is important too.

Must not be in an enclosed area, back must have 40cm (for my model) unobstructed allowance for hot air to dissipate. But I mod my chiller and cabinet so that I could put it in my aquarium cabinet with door always closed.

[erwinx]

Dear Robert and Greenie,

Thanks for your helpful info!

Didn't think to go to C328 Polyart to check. Usually C328 I think of the other shop

If I put the chiller in a cabinet, I will definitely drill holes and install cooling fans (I have a holesaw set that I use to drill holes for computer wiring, or holes in false ceiling to install LED downlights....)