Is Chiller required for a planted tank?

[Emokidz]

Hi Everyone,

I'm thinking of starting a high tech planted tank. I've read a lot on CO2 and Fert regime. But one thing I'm still unsure of is if I need a chiller.

I'm planning to plant a 1.5ft 10 Gal tank: HC, Glosso, DHG, Riccia, E. Tenellus

My room's ambient temp is 30deg c. Will I need a chiller?

[barmby]

If you can bring the temperature down to 27C without a chiller, then it is good for you. Small tank should be fine. For Big tank, we have a hard time cooling the tank with MH and etc hanging over generating mega watts of heat into the tank.

[Emokidz]

Thanks! Just quite worried about the tank crashing when the weather gets hotter.

[barmby]

You should do fine. Turn on your air-con if things get hot. 6-10 hours a day during lights on period will do good

[hayabusa]

hi bro, if your environment is below 28-27 it should be fine. plants won't thrive in high temperatures.

[Orcishwarrior]

Seriously, there are big differences with and without chiller. You have sexually driven fish (Pardon me) hehe and happy plants

[vinz]

Chiller is not required. If you have budget for it, go for it as it does make it easier. Quite a few plants still grow in higher temps. I have grown plants in 30 degrees Celsius before. At higher temps they simply need more nutrients. However, that means it's harder to get the balance to minimise algae. As a rule of thumb, plants from the tropical regions will be ok with higher temps.

For the sake of the environment, I recommend not going below 27 degrees Celsius if you get a chiller.

[benjidog]

If you stick to tropical plants (26-30 deg C) you do not need a chiller.

Half of the plants available at the local fish shops like colorful, yishun 618 or Clementi 328 do not require chiller to thrive.

Basically the more expensive the plant, the growing conditions will be more difficult and probably chiller is required.

Plan before you buy. Ask the store keeper if chiller required for the plant to grow.

There is no rule that high tech means that you must have chiller.

If your tank is not more than 4 feet, you can still cool the tank down to 25 or 26 deg C with 2 cooling fans. However you will have to constantly do water top up.
My 6 feet planted tank with discus is doing fine without chiller or fan. As discus require high temperatures, there is a compromise and plant selection is restricted to more common species. My cyptos have not melted although average trmperature is about 28 deg C.

[tofubox]

Plants will be "happy" to have low temperatures. They will grow and creep faster. But also depends on other parameters in your water. In high temperatures, it will grow, but maybe slower.