Jump to content

Drop in coil condenser vs chiller


Recommended Posts

  • SRC Member

Drop in coil condenser (compressor):

Like your home air-con. Can be installed further away and run the air-con pipe to the tank to cool down the water.

Just imagine your tank is the fan coil, so you would have the air con trunking running to your tank.

Thus wont feel so hot if it is installed in the kitchen or balcony.

No feed pump needed.

Higher horsepower, usually at least 1 HP.

Recommended for bigger tank >3ft. Higher cost too due to higher horsepower but it is more efficient.

Chiller:

Feed pump needed thus the chiller should be nearer to the tank. Else you would need a larger pump and larger pump add more heat.

As it is nearer to your tank. The surroundings would be hotter and noiser unless you installed it further away but normally ppl place it next to tank.

Smaller horsepower, from 1/15, 1/10, 1/5, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 to largest 1 HP.

My opinion.

So smaller tank = chiller

3ft to 4ft or (maybe even 5ft but a bit tough)= chiller or drop in coil.

Larger tank = Drop in coil

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SRC Member

Hi bro, cost also depends on the brand of the chiller.

For 3ft, I would prefer chiller over drop in coil.

Less hassle in terms of setup and (I think) should be cheaper too. But not as efficient and take longer cooling time than drop in coil.

Depends on what you want actually.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 year later...
  • SRC Member

Hi Bro,

Re-visiting this topioc again. Do you know of any lfs which will install drop-in coil? Also, can we have one coil for 2 tanks like a mulit spilt? thanks for any advice.

I have a similar question, but more like cooling the tank and cooling my room. :upsidedown: My air-con compressor is down, so I was thinking of replacing it, as well as using it for aquarium. Anyone can share contacts?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Call Derrick from pacific coo . He is good

Humble tank :

Size: 4x2.5x2 ft - Display 

Equipment :

Return 1 : Ecotech marine L1

Return 2 : Ecotech marine M1

CR : Skimz CM122 - Caribsea extra course media with Grotech magnesium

Light : ATI 8x54W

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SRC Supporter

I have a similar question, but more like cooling the tank and cooling my room. :upsidedown: My air-con compressor is down, so I was thinking of replacing it, as well as using it for aquarium. Anyone can share contacts?

As far as i know only single unit compressor can be used for aquarium chiller. Mulit split system unit cannot be use together for both aquarium and room air-conditioning for the reason that it need to hook on to the temperature sensor to kick start the chiller.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SRC Member

As far as i know only single unit compressor can be used for aquarium chiller. Mulit split system unit cannot be use together for both aquarium and room air-conditioning for the reason that it need to hook on to the temperature sensor to kick start the chiller.

Dang... just too bad.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Inverter systems cannot be controlled by external temperature controller, they rely on the fan coil since the sensor and thermostat is located.

As such, for marine cooling using compressor, we can only use non-inverter types (3 stars ratings maximum).

for 3ft and above tanks, it is more efficient and cost effective to deploy a compressor cum drop in coil solution for cooling.

Other benefits including wife no longer nagging about the chiller's noise and heat in the living room (this is priceless).

banner_9.aspx?id=kraken&t=8

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Hi all, Is there any major issue of having a titanium coil vs insulated copper coil?

I am using insulated copper coil for about close to 3 year now and so far so good. I personally feel copper cool faster than titanium coil and most importantly it is much cheaper.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If I still remember from my science classes, copper is a better conductor of heat whereas titanium is a very strong but light metal..so for usage as drop in coil, copper can tranafer de heat away faster but prone to rust n oxidation, while titanium can last so much longer but not as good on heat transfer..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks all. I was told that copper coil risked "poisoning" the water if insulator is damaged through wear and tear. Then, all corals will die. Is this a reasonable concern?

Yes you are right about that as well. That's the down side of using copper insulated coil , and which is also why some still prefer titanium coil. So it depend on the choice and risk you willing to take.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

Link to comment
Share on other sites

does the distance of the condenser to the tank affect the efficiency of the chilling process?

Yap, the closer the coil to the compressor the fastest it chill .

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • SRC Member

could I clarify with those using a compressor which is located under/near the tank, it uses the traditional 3-pin plug or an isolated power source? thanks

mine is using the normal 3 pin plug

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share



×
×
  • Create New...