Best Water Chiller / Refrigeration / Cooler For Your Needs

A water chiller is a device that has technology to take away a heat from water to a refrigeration cycle where the heat is transferred to a type of liquid that is called a refrigerant through which the waste heat is trasnferred to the atmosphere.

These products are used in industry, for example in agriculture and aquaculture where is important to maintain the temperature of water. It is used in hydroponic systems where plants are cultivated in the water and in aquaponic systems that are combinating aquaculture and hydroponics which are depending on water temperature. These are also commonly used in big aquariums to keep the temperature constant at the level that is the best for fish, lobsters and other organisms.

They are invented because in industry or in other large facilities it was hard to maintain the temperature at constant and optimal level. The cooled water temperature is optimal for plants in hydroponic solutions because it will be more oxygen for the plants to grow and to have healthy roots. Also in aquaculture and aquarim it is desirable to prevent growth of water temperature because that is stressful for organisms.

Some are made to pumpe out the cooled water into the air so they can be used as an air conditioning in cars or houses or to cool and dehumidify air in industrial and insititutional facilities.

In this review we will describe design, mechanism and technical specifications of 5 most popular ones. Listed products are mainly used for freshwater or seawater aquariums or in agriculture in hydropinc systems. They differ by water cooling capacitiy, evaporation system, sizes of water pumps and tubes that are needed to be installed with it and power of motor.

REVIEW OF TOP 5 WATER CHILLERS

Hydrofarm Aqua AACH50 Model

The Hydrofarm water chiller can be used in hydroponic system in aquarium, aquaponics and aquaculture to maintain the tempeature of the water for the plants to be healthy and have good roots and for fish to benefit from optimal temperatures for their functioning.

AACH50 model’s length is 22 inches, width is 23.3 inches and height is 21.2 inches. It weighs 49.4 ponuds and it is available in white color only. Its motor power is ½ hp so it is suitable for medium to large size growing spaces.

In the device are integrated microcomputer control system and LCD displays that shows you all important parameters of the room (humidity, temperature) so its control is user-friendly. Chiller’s evaporator for fresh and salt water is made from anti-corrosive pure titanium. This chiller uses R410a refrigerant that is freon free which is eco-friendly because freons are chemichals that hurt ozon layer of the planet.

It has large refrigeration capacity so it is suitable for cooling down 52 to 132 gallons of water. Generally, in 20 hours it can lower the temperature of 132 gallons of water by 15°F and 52 gallons of water by 30°F. However, it is recommended to read performance chart in the product information tab for detailed informations about cooling capability. While operating the device makes no noise.

The range of water flow is from 350 GPH to 850 GPH(gallons per hour) and there are two pumps that are recommended to use for water cooling considering the refrigerating capacity and water flow range. The Aapw800 pump is used for higher temperature range of cooling and Aapw550 pump is used for lower temperature range of cooling. There are three tubing sizes that are recommended for this chiller: model Hgtb50 that is 0.5 inches big, model Hgtb75 that is 0.75 inches big and model Hgtb100 that is 1 inch big.

EcoPlus EP1123 Model

This EcoPlus chiller has three models available considering the power of the motor that can be 1/10 hp, ¼ hp or ½ hp. We are reviewing theEP1123 model that has motor strength of 1/10 hp. Its voltage is 120V and rated frequency is 60Hz. It is 17.1 inches long, 15.5 inches wide and 18.3 inches high. His weight is 31.5 pounds and it is available in black color only.

This chiller can be used in hydroponic systems, in aquaculture or freshwater an seawater aquariums to maintain the optimal temperature. It is suitable for smaller open or closed systems.

It is user-friendly because it has a microcomputer control system and LCD display that shows all parameters so it simplifies his operation. Also it has heat exchanger that is made for titanium so it is anti-corrosive.

The system is highly energy-efficient so it ensures quick refrigeration of water while it takes up small amount of energy. The compressor is made of high quality materials and while chiller is operating there is no noise.

Considering the refrigeration capacity and motor strength the water flow through pumps is from minimum 66GPH to maximum is 317 GPH. Size of water pumps should be corresponding with the water flow. The detailed cooling capability should be written on the performance chart of the product. The tube size recommended for this water chiller is 0.5 inches.

Coralife ACL36060 Model

Coralife water chiller is primarly used for keeping the optimal temperature in freshwater or seawater aquariums. The ACL36060 model is 14.5 inches long, 13 inches wide and 16 inches high. It weighs 1 pound. Its motor power is 1/10 hp so it is intended to use for smaller aquariums.

In the device are integrated computer control system and LED control panel which are constantly monitoring temperature and humidity of water system so you can know if the conditions are optimal for the organisms in the aquarium. Also, on this panel you can lower or risen the target temperature you want to maintain in your aquarium.

Considering the refrigerator capacity, this chiller is suited for cooling approximately 55 gallons of water. Considering this capacity, water flow range is from minimum of 200GPH to maximum of 300GPH. It is recommended that you install the water pumps for water cooling that are suitable for this amount of water flow.Beside the water pumps, you have to buy tubes. Recommened tube sizes is 0.75 inches in diameter.

The evaporation system for freshwater and seawater is made of titatnium and it want corrose while cooling the seawater. But unlike the previous models, costumer reviews on this product are indicating that this chiller has a louder operating. However, the system does not take a lot of energy so it is energy-efficient.

It has backing parts on it so it is easy to remove it from the aquarium and clean it to keep its performance good. Also, the air filters are reusable, you can remove them from the device. Cleaning them ensures the longivity and efficiency of the device’s motor. The chiller comes disassembled in parts and on with the product you get instructions how to install it and mainatin it.

Happybuy Aquarium Water Chiller

This model is made for maintaining the water temperature in the aquarium and to simplify monitoring of conditions for plants and animals in the tank. It is suitable for freshwater and seawater aquariums and for plant tanks.

The motor power is 70W and it is suitable for smaller tanks. It is 4.4 inches long, 4.5 inches wide and 7.5 inches high. It weighs 3.5 pounds. It is available in black color only. The device’s voltage is 12V and it has maximum cooling capacity of 5 gallons of water. In regards to capacity, water flow in pumps is less than 1 gallon. The inner hose size is 0.3 inches.

This device has microcomputer system and semiconductor that makes is user-friendly and energy-efficient. Microcomputer system is monitoring all conditions in your aquarium that are shown on big LCD screen. LED lights above the screen are indicating the phase of device’s operation. Also, you have control buttons so you can set up target water temperature that you want to maintain.

You can adjust start and stop temperatures are in range from 50°F to 104°F. Semiconductor for cooling makes the device take up less energy while working and the it is still really fast while working. It is designed to be quiet and it has evaporation system made of aluminium and alloy which ensures high efficiency and durability of the product.

In the package with the device you get one 2M length hose, one water pump, one power adapter, one power line and two hose buckles. The device comes in parts so you will have to assembled it. While doing so, you should turn off and unplug all electronic devices that you use for your aquarium.

VIVOSUN CL-280 Model

Vivosun water chiller is used in both freshwater and seawater aquariums and in hydroponics. The CL-280 model’s motor power is 1/10 hp so it is most covenient for maintaining the water temperature in tanks with capacity less than 79 gallons. The motor voltage is 110V and its rated frequency is 60Hz. The chiller is 18.4 inches long, 18.3 inches wide and 15.9 inches high. It weighs 32.6 pounds. This model is available in white color only.

The device has single-chip microcomputer control system and built-in Ram memory CMOS chip. The system is monitoring conditions in the water and temperature is shown on LCD display screen on the device. Along the screen are buttons so you can adjust target temperature that you think that is optimal for your aquarium.

The heat-exchanger is made from anti-corrosive titanium and it ensures fast refrigeration and longivity of the device. Considering the refrigerating capacity of 280W, the water flow through pumps is 238GPH. The compressor is not loud and it is cooling capacity range is from 132GPH to 264GPH. While operating, compressor does not take up a lot of energy so this device is highly efficient.

The chiller is eco-friendly because it uses R-134A refrigerant so it does not release the freons to athmoshpere, the chemicals that hurt ozon layer of the planet. At the back of the device is socket for outsideheater connection.

In the package with the cooler comes the tube fittings that are 0.4 inches – 0.6 inches big in diameter and two metal clamps. The compact features dimensions that are convenient for this models are: 12.2 inches long, 12.2 inches wide and 14.5 inches high. The air filter is removable so you can clean it. This is recommended because it will keep the device’s good performance.