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Guidelines:
When you install your chiller properly you
will get many years of dependable service. One of the most important
things to keep in mind when you position your chiller is air flow.
Fresh air flow should never be restricted to the condenser (looks like
a car radiator) and the hot air discharged must not be restricted when
it leaves the unit. As air passes thru condenser, over time dirt and
dust may accumulate so it should be placed where you have easy access
to it for periodic cleaning.
Chillers should not be placed in a
confined space such as a cabinet or closet as temperatures can easily
get over 90F thus reducing the efficiency of the chiller and possible
failure. Also if there are open sums heat from the chiller will go
right back in the water and could cause your tank to heat up. The
moist salty air will also cause corrosion of the condenser and other
external parts resulting in failure of the chiller.
Delta Star inline chillers require a pump
to move water thru the heat exchanger and Cyclone drop in chillers
require water passing by the coil at all times. Correct water flow
rates are critical for chillers to operate properly. Refer to the
chiller flow rate and pump selection chart to select the best pump for
your chiller. Always use an external pump as submersible pumps add
heat to the water.
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Sizing:
Many factors will have an influence when
determining the size water chiller required for a particular
application. While standard Btu calculations will give you a good
starting point for sizing, many environmental and system design
parameters must be considered. While sizing charts can be helpful, one
chart DOES NOT work for all chiller installations.
Sizing charts for marine reef tanks
(under 1500 gallons) are based on “typical” setups using the common
life support equipment (LSS), such as pumps, filters, and lighting.
However, some tanks have more pumps or higher wattage lighting then
what might be considered “normal”. This must be considered when
looking at a sizing chart. The sizing chart we provide for reef
aquariums is based on many years of experience and a typical tank
setup.
The sizing charts for aquaculture
system, large public aquarium tanks and other fish holding systems are
different then that of the marine reef tank. These systems may contain
just one large tank or multiple tanks, located indoors in a controlled
environment or outdoors in direct sunlight, and every situation
in - between. These systems may require less hp per gallon then reef
aquariums. Adding insulation and thermal pane viewing windows will
decrease the amount hp per gallon required.
For hydroponic applications
nutrient solutions need to be cooled. Although the volumes may seen
small it is spread out over a large area and there is a tremendous
amount of heat input from either grow lights or natural sunlight. This
heat input is greatest when plants are young but as they grow and
start shading their growing trays the heat input decreases. Due to the
numerous variety of set ups these systems can be difficult to size.
We provide a questionnaire that you can
fill out and return to us for help in sizing a chiller for your
particular application. The more information you provide the better.
As always we have a staff of technicians
that are ready to help answer any technical questions you may have.
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