Chiller maintenance time - annual cleaning and checkup

[gregzz4]

You're welcome Leanne

Hopefully it's informative to at least a few members

[hillegom]

Great article Greg.
Only thing I can add is if your fins are bent then you could use a special tool to straighten them. From Princess Auto, under $10

[gregzz4]

Ah yes, a fin comb

Good find Dietmar

Care is still needed to use such comb ...

[hillegom]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

Ah yes, a fin comb

Good find Dietmar

Care is still needed to use such comb ...

Oh yes use care. Fins are very sharp. However, once you get one of these, you can fix the fins in your car as well, which is what I bought it for. Works wonders

[brisco]

I have chiller envy...I am currently chillerless and instead use the old COMPLETE PANIC method when my tank temp goes up in the summer! I use LED lighting so it isn't outrageous, but would love to get a chiller before the summer. Any clue to how much hp to get? 100 Gal DT with 25 Gal sump with a mixed reef.

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by brisco

I have chiller envy...I am currently chillerless and instead use the old COMPLETE PANIC method when my tank temp goes up in the summer! I use LED lighting so it isn't outrageous, but would love to get a chiller before the summer. Any clue to how much hp to get? 100 Gal DT with 25 Gal sump with a mixed reef.

Look on the sites where they sell chillers. They have charts that display system requirements.

Originally Posted by hillegom

Oh yes use care. Fins are very sharp. However, once you get one of these, you can fix the fins in your car as well, which is what I bought it for. Works wonders

Good find Dietmar, glad you found something that works for you
I've worked with cooling systems for nearly 30 years and I'm familiar with fin combs

[gregzz4]

Using fin combs is a delicate procedure, and you don't need to own a comb to work on your chiller

You can easily straighten out the cooling fins on your chiller using a small screwdriver - but be careful to not cut yourself or damage the tubes.

For most of us, we will never need to own a tool such as this, and all you will need to clean out your chiller is a can of compressed air, and a gallon of vinegar

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by brisco

I have chiller envy...I am currently chillerless and instead use the old COMPLETE PANIC method when my tank temp goes up in the summer! I use LED lighting so it isn't outrageous, but would love to get a chiller before the summer. Any clue to how much hp to get? 100 Gal DT with 25 Gal sump with a mixed reef.

1/4HP tops. I use a 1/2hp, and it drops the temp in minutes, but I got a great deal on it, so it's what I use. I've used 1/4hp on a 180 without issue, running 3 x 400w MH.

[gobytron]

so do you guys leave your chiller running at all times?

I take mine off when I'm not using it.

it's a 1/10th though, so much smaller than your guys'...

[Ryanerickson]

Mines hooked up all year it's there as a precaution I use ac to keep tank room cool in summer, chiller never turns on. last year I it turned on once because the breaker blew that the ac was on. I've cleaned my chiller once with vinegar it came out as clean as it was when it went in no plans of ever doing it again. I also just shut down my display it had a total of about 50' of pipe from return and drain I was very surprised after 4-5 years of use the pipes were very clean inside.