What about running a over capacity chiller for a small tank?

[cairocks]

I am currently running a 2ft 90liters planted tank. I am considering aquiring a chiller but right now unable to find a chiller that fits my tank size. Considering resun chillers, the Cl-85 is too small but the next jump is the Cl-280 which is for tanks below 300l. Wondering is it ok to use a larger capacity chiller for my tank. Between a Cl-280 and CL-450, would the CL-450 be too powerful for the tank, or it will just have a very short running time to pull down the temp compared to the Cl-280? Thanks.

[ranmasatome]

Just shorter cooling time i expect.

[PeterGwee]

Depends on the effective flow rate needed for the chiller to work well with respect to the tank size. You definitely do not want an 800gph powerhead/filter to power a 20 gallon tank.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[alanyeo99]

PeterGwee is absolutely right. All chillers have a specific guideline on how slow/fast the flowrate should be. Your plants will suffer if the flowrate is too extreme.

Just to share my experience here. I did not run my Teco (supports up to 500L) on my earlier 2-footer setup. Utility bill is too expensive. In fact I use 1 cooling fan to stabilize temp at 28C. Alternative is to find a cooler spot in your house, like under a ceiling fan. Most high-rise home have constant howling winds.

[bclee]

I am running a CL-450 on my 60L tank. No prob at all. It kicks in every 10-20 mins depending on ambient temp. Each time it only takes about 1min or so to chill the water to the set temperature(26°C).

Not much impact to the electricity bill.

BC

[cairocks]

Thank's for the replies. Guess the max I can go is the CL450. Right now I am running a Tom FT-2 canister filter off my tank with flow rate of 600l/h which is doing quite well. I block the filter's output with a big piece of rock to slow down the flow. I am actually interested in a CL-650 offered in the Singapore reef club forum, but it's flow rate is 1500l/h. Guess I have to let that go.

[GaspingGurami]

A small tank volume will not hold the temp constant for long. So having a big oversized chiller may bring the temp down fast, but it restarts very often to maintain the temp you set. No savings in the power bill I'm afraid.

[bclee]

A small tank volume will not hold the temp constant for long. So having a big oversized chiller may bring the temp down fast, but it restarts very often to maintain the temp you set. No savings in the power bill I'm afraid.

How often the chiller kicks in depends on: (1) ambient temperature and (2) surface area.

You are right that chiller kicks in more frequently for smaller tank. That is because surface area/volume is larger for smaller tanks.

Theorectically, no matter what chiller capacity (not taking efficiency into the equation), the power consumption will be the same.

BC

[cairocks]

Got a crazy idea, what about sticking air con insulation material, eg superlon sheets, onto the back and side of the tank. Left the viewing area exposed. Hahaha. Did DIY sound/heat proofing for my car till siao already.

[BFG]

Got a crazy idea, what about sticking air con insulation material, eg superlon sheets, onto the back and side of the tank. Left the viewing area exposed. Hahaha. Did DIY sound/heat proofing for my car till siao already.

You could also use insulation tubes to cover the canister hose to maintain the temperature exiting from the chiller but how effective that is I do not know as I keep my return hose short to minimise any temperature increase.

[tawauboy]

Got a crazy idea, what about sticking air con insulation material, eg superlon sheets, onto the back and side of the tank. Left the viewing area exposed. Hahaha. Did DIY sound/heat proofing for my car till siao already.

you could do that. this will minimize heat gain from surroundings.
go one step further: have a removable heat insulation for the front of the tank.

[BFG]

hmm, or go with thicker glass eg 12-15mm?