How to Set Up an Aquarium Chiller

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By Melinda Weaver
eHow Contributing Writer

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Although more common for marine aquarists than freshwater, aquarium chillers are necessary for any type of aquarium where the room temperature is sometimes higher than the desired water temperature. Thus, you may need a chiller even for temperate climate fish if your house experiences extreme heat some afternoons. Three types of chillers are available, depending on the size and chilling needs of your tank: thermoelectric chillers for tanks less than 55 gallons, in-line chillers for larger systems with space for the required plumbing, and drop-in chillers for larger systems with minimal space.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Aquarium chiller
Rigid PVC or flexible vinyl tubing
External submersible pump
Thermometer

Step 1

Place chiller on firm, level surface where it will not be exposed to water. The chiller should be attached to the plumbing so that it is the last component before the water returns to the aquarium.
Step 2

Use the PVC piping or flexible tubing to attach the inlet and outlet to the submersible pump. The inlet and outlet will be found on opposite sides of the chiller. Either side can be used as the inlet/outlet depending on the setup of your plumbing.
Step 3

Circulate the water through the chiller for 30 minutes to check for proper water flow and leaks.
Step 4

Install a thermometer to your tank, if you have not already, as a backup in case the chiller's internal thermostat fails.

Tips & Warnings

Do not unplug the aquarium heater because a chiller is installed. This may cause the water temperature to drop too low. When choosing between chillers, choose the more powerful one. Though it will be more expensive, the price difference won't be so significant that it's not worth the upgrade. You will get more for your money.
Chillers emit a lot of heat outside the aquarium so use caution putting them inside a piece of aquarium furniture unless it is well-venilated. Chillers can be loud, so test the sound-level of the chiller, if possible, before purchase.