At AquaCave, we offer some of the best selection & best prices on aquarium chillers and chiller accessories for you marine, reef, and freshwater aquarium.
Maintaining an optimal tank temperature in the summer months can be a challenge. An aquarium chiller (also referred to as an aquarium cooler, aquarium water chiller, saltwater chiller, fish tank chiller & tank chiller) is one of a couple options for maintaining correct aquarium temperature. Although aquarium chillers can be quite expensive, chillers are low maintenance and high longevity products.
What Is the Optimal Aquarium Chiller Size?
The aquarium water chillers we carry each have a recommended tank size (provided by the manufacturer). Determining the correct size chiller takes many factors into account--including the amount of water in the tank and sump, the ambient air temp, the temp of the tank and the heat put out by the lighting and the pumps. We highly recommend that you get an aquarium chiller that is more powerful than recommended. This is because as you go from the less powerful to more powerful aquarium chillers the price does not increase much while the capability increases greatly. The larger the chiller for any given system, the longer it will last because the less it will run.
What Is the Optimal Temperature?
Corals come from a variety of ocean environments where the temperature ranges from the low seventies to the low nineties. Ideally, you should stick to corals from a single environment and maintain your tank at the normal temperature for that environment. However, since most reef aquariums have a variety of corals from different marine environments, sticking to the 75-82 degree range is a somewhat safe choice.
Chillers For Smaller Tanks?
Nano reef tanks, such as the JBJ Nano Cube & Red Sea Max are creating a new need for small aquarium chillers (aka nano chillers and aquarium micro chillers). We carry a number of 1/15HP and 1/10 HP chillers for smaller tanks.
Alternatives To Aquarium Chillers
Air movement and ventilation can significantly reduce the temperature of a tank. Blowing air across the water surface, or across the lights, or blowing air out through a vent in the hood or canopy can be easily done with a canopy cooling fan. Cutting back lighting hours in the summer will also help.
How Do Chillers Work?
An aquarium chiller operates on the same principles as a refrigerator or air conditioner. Refrigeration gas, such as Freon, is compressed and run through a condenser. The condenser is a heat exchanger which removes heat from the hot compressed gas and allows it to condense into a liquid. The liquid refrigerant is then sent through an expansion valve, or capillary tube, where the pressure drops--which lowers the boiling point and makes it easy to evaporate. The refrigerant then goes through an evaporator where it can absorb heat. Tank water is pumped into a chamber around the evaporator allowing heat from the water to be transferred to the refrigerant. The loop is completed when the refrigerant goes into the compressor and back through the condenser where the heat is then transferred to the room air. Please note that the heat is simply transferred from the tank to the air so it is important to provide good ventilation for the chiller to operate properly.
AquaMedic Aquarium Chillers
- Titan Aquarium Chillers by AquaMedic come equipped with Titanium Heat Exchangers - corrosion free All heat exhausted throught the back - Titan Aquarium Chillers by AquaMedic are simple to install inside the cabinet and exhaust all the heat outside.
All water connection below electrical components - removing the possibility of any water leaks damaging the electrical components. Quiet. Suitable for all applications whether freshwater or seawater aquariums.
Titan Aquarium Chillers by AquaMedic are supplied with a digital temperature controller, the set value can be programmed very easy. It can be changed from cooling to heating by pressing one button only.
SeaChill Aquarium Chillers by TECO
- SeaChill TR-10 1/8 HP Aquarium Chiller by TECO : SeaChill TR-10 1/8 HP Aquarium Chiller by TECO comes equipped with High efficiency patented titanium exchanger. SeaChill TR-10 1/8 HP Aquarium Chiller by TECO Increases the cooling efficiency about 30%, with consequent and considerable energy savings. It provides stable and consistent temperatures.
- SeaChill TR-15 1/5 HP Aquarium Chiller by TECO : SeaChill TR-15 1/5 HP Aquarium Chiller by TECO Digital Thermostat comes with easy-to-use push button digital temperature control system. SeaChill TR-15 1/5 HP Aquarium Chiller by TECO automatically maintains the desired set temperature within ±1ºF.
- SeaChill TR-20 1/3 HP Aquarium Chiller by TECO : SeaChill TR-20 1/3 HP Aquarium Chiller by TECO has New and modern design with compact dimensions. SeaChill TR-20 1/3 HP Aquarium Chiller by TECO has sleek, modern European designed housing. Its molded handle allows for easy lifting and carrying. SeaChill TR-20 1/3 HP Aquarium Chiller by TECO comes with 2 Year Manufacturer's Warranty. These Chillers have The best warranty in the industry. Online serial # search to determine remaing warranty. Parts and service are readily available.
- Pinpoint Temperature Controller by American Marine : PINPOINT Temperature Controller™ is an inexpensive but rugged controller that can be used for a chiller or a heater; or both a chiller and a heater.
Fully programmable setpoints. Farenheit only readout and resolution to 1/10 of a degree, e.g. 78.6 F, make this an easy choice for larger reef systems. Available 110VAC only.
* The PINPOINT Temperature Controller™ is the perfect way to regulate temperature in the aquarium.
* 110 VAC operation.
* Never needs calibration.
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
* Temperature Measurement Range 32.0° F – 212.0° F
* Temperature Control Range 60.0° F – 102.0° F
* Differential Minimum ±0.5° F of a selected temperature
* Differential Maximum ±10.0° F of a selected temperature
* 3 1/2 Digit LCD Display
* Resolution: 000.0° Fahrenheit Degree
* 2 Independent 12 Amp 110 VAC Relay Outputs
Cool Works Aquarium Chillers
CoolWorks Ice Probe with Power Supply: Feature(s):
* Efficient: converts electricity directly into cooling power
* Reliable: the fan is the only moving part
* Easy to Install: one hole, one nut
* Safe low voltage operation
* Environmentally Friendly: no gasses or chemicals
* 1-year manufacturer`s warranty from purchase date
The IceProbe is the ideal cooling solution for small aquariums. This quiet, reliable, and efficient chiller uses advanced thermoelectric technology to directly covert electricity into cooling power.
With its threaded probe, nylon nut, and silicon washer, the IceProbe, can be easily bulkheaded through a 1.25" hole into siphon overflows, prefilters, sumps, or even directly into acrylic aquariums.
A single IceProbe can cool 10 gallons of water 6-8F below ambient air temperature in a standard aquarium. Multiple IceProbes can be used in a single aquarium to achieve higher temperature differentials.
The IceProbe provides continuous chilling power. A separate temperature controller must be used to turn the the device on or off at predetermined temperatures.
Weighing in at only 2 pounds, the IceProbe® is powered by a separate 12 volt D.C. power supply and draws less than 50 watts.
CoolWorks Microchiller: The MicroChiller provides a cooling solution for nano-reef tanks and other small aquariums that require cooler temperatures.
The new MicroChiller not only solves the cooling problems inherent in nano-reef applications, but it also increases the flow of water in the tank that is necessary for the healthy growth of the coral.
The MicroChiller uses solid-state heat pump technology, so there is no messy freon leaks or compressors that make irritating noises, which sets it apart from conventional chillers.
Because the MicroChiller has so few moving parts, when used properly, it will provide trouble-free operation for many years. This compact chiller can chill bring down the temperature in a 10 gallon aquarium up to 4-6 degrees.
Use in conjunction with the Porportional Thermoelectic Controller (sold seperately).
CoolWorks Proportional Temperature Controller (Iceprobe): Proportional Thermoelectric Controller for IceProbes. The exact temperature set point is fixed by adjusting a Philips head set point dial. These controllers feature an 18 inch long waterproof temperature sensor and all the electrical connections to allow for simple installation between the IceProbe and the Power Converter.