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Why use a water chiller for cooling an aquarium?

Water in an aquarium needs to have its temperature maintained so that oxygen content in water doesn't go above a critical temperature.Using a water chillier with an aquarium water solution can be highly beneficial for the health of fish because lower temperatures means higher oxygen content.  For example, a system in most cases uses a protein skimmer, circulating pump to circulate the water solution, air pumps and many other products that can add heat to the water. Add to that the ambient temperature of the surroundings and water temperatures in an indoor aquatic environment can rise to levels where oxygen content in the water can be extremely poor.

Water is a well known conductor for heat hence why it is used as a coolant in automotive, industrial and manufacturing processes so in some cases it will require cooling to maintain the aquatic health of your aquarium.

Most aquatic situations require a good mg/L oxygen content and water can hold more oxygen at lower temperatures, but this depends on your fish's needs. In most systems the ideal water temperature needs to be between 24DegC and 27DegC. The temperature set point really depends on the system being used. When the water is cooled to an acceptable temperature the aquarium can flourish with a good level of oxygen and steady temperature of the water. A good example regards temperature and oxygen content in water, at 30DegC fresh water can hold up to 6 mg/L while at 20DegC fresh water can hold up to 9mg/L, almost 50% more oxygen content. That means a whole lot more yield potential.

Water Oxygen Content:

It is very important to buy a water chiller with a titanium heat exchanger. If your chiller has not got a titanium heat exchanger than contamination between the metal can spoil the water solution. Because some solutions have an acid or alkaline content this can corrode cheap base metals to the extent that metal perforation and contamination of the water becomes a issue to your background water levels.

It is reasonably straight forward to size up your water chiller for aquatic use. All chillers have a rating, for example 100 watts output, this means the unit will cool approximately 100 Litres of water.  In cooling terms 1 watt of cooling will do 1 litre of water.

If you are using a system with 1 x 150 litre in the tank you will require: 

1 x 150 litre tank = 150 Litres

Total Litres = 150 Litres

Add 10% for heat losses = 15

Total Required = 165 Litres 

Therefore you will require a chiller with a rating of +165 litre cooling capacity.

A water chiller combats heat where it matters

Improves oxygen levels in the water

Repels pathogens in the root mass of plants

Ideal for any system

Many water chillers have an air filter which acts as a air cleaner

The heat load from the water chiller has to be extracted from the room or heat will be added to the ambient air.

Noise levels and vibration from cheap water chillers can be annoying

Cheap water chillers don't have a titanium heat exchanger

Orion Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Ltd, 10 Grisedale Court, Woburn Road Industrial Estate, Kempston, Bedfordshire, MK42 7EE, UK