Canister flowrate VS Chiller required flowrate

Was doing some readings on chiller and i was looking out more on the flowrate rather than the cost savings.

I was told that the canister flowrate shld be higher than the chiller min req flowrate. With a faster flowrate, thru the chiller, the turnover of the water going thru is much faster and hence the whole tank takes a shorter time to chill the water (taking into consideration i'm using a better perform chiller).

Can anyone advice on this? I'm using a 2028 on a 422 tank. Looking at either the 1/10HP or 1/5HP artica chiller.

actually thats just a general guide, from your theory, the faster it goes in, more cooling for the tank. But if the flow rate is too fast for the chiller to cool it efficiently, then it would be quite wasteful.

in my own opinion, get a flowrate that is similar to the chiller flowrate, not too low and not too high, but make sure the flow rate to the chiller is after going thru the medias in the canister filter.

(meaning u cannot just compare the cannister filter flowrate and thus get it since it matches your chiller) The flowrate on the canister is when running it bare, so after adding in medias you will have a drop around 30% as a gauge.

Hope it helps.

Originally Posted by bbpippen

actually thats just a general guide, from your theory, the faster it goes in, more cooling for the tank. But if the flow rate is too fast for the chiller to cool it efficiently, then it would be quite wasteful.

in my own opinion, get a flowrate that is similar to the chiller flowrate, not too low and not too high, but make sure the flow rate to the chiller is after going thru the medias in the canister filter.

(meaning u cannot just compare the cannister filter flowrate and thus get it since it matches your chiller) The flowrate on the canister is when running it bare, so after adding in medias you will have a drop around 30% as a gauge.

Hope it helps.

ya man, thats what i have been reading abt. most of it are old threads. usually they recommend me getting a high flowrate pump. but i guess most planted tanks are using canister n usually abt 1200 l/h. So posting here to c wat guys here are using their experience rather than getting the details or theory out from manuals.

Originally Posted by dinomax

ya man, thats what i have been reading abt. most of it are old threads. usually they recommend me getting a high flowrate pump. but i guess most planted tanks are using canister n usually abt 1200 l/h. So posting here to c wat guys here are using their experience rather than getting the details or theory out from manuals.

hmm its a good guide to read in forums, but ultimately i think its better to read up on manuals first. at least it gives you a rough guide of what information youre looking for.

Different bros here may use similiar hardware but get very fluctuating and inconsistent results, this may be due to lack of QC on manufacturers part etc etc.

but enuff said, i think its better to get a higher flowrate canister , at least you can still meter the flowrate to bring it your tank's desired flow.
However using a smaller canister may not be able to provide you with that extra room for experiment.

You might want to take note too that too high a flowrate from the canister might not be that efficient for the chiller. its better to get something near the chiller's stated flowrate, as the chiller is made for that.

hope it helps you in your decision, whatever ive said is just a guide =]

[elimmel]

get a separate pump to drive your chiller.
attach a prefilter to pump inlet to prevent dirt from flowing into chiller.
good example is to use filter sponges commonly seen in discus tanks as prefilter.

if you have co2 injection, place the setup this way.

pump -> chiller -> co2 reactor -> tank.

cold water hold co2 better.

Taking from a Mariner's viewpoint. Their flow rate is usually in excess of 2000L /hr. Which is usually 2X ours but we also need to factor in that the density between salt & fresh water.

Not forgetting that from the filter to the chiller, the flow rate is being stepped down. Especially when we consider the twist and turns the water goes through in a condenser. The faster the water is being transferred from end to end helps in maintaining the cooling the water. Lesser lost in heat would result in lesser kick up from the thermostat. Thus saving your the ever increasing electricity bill.

If we still remember out science class, CO2 dissolves better in cooler water. I would actually recommend that the CO2 setup is between the filter and the chiller. CO2 is being introduced into the water, meeting the chiller on the water to the tank would bond the elements better.

So why not? I would go for a higher flow rate.