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Have you been in deep trouble looking for the right cooler device to ensure a comfortable aquatic life of your cute little fishes? We’ve got you covered! From this review, you will find 7+ best small aquarium water chillers to help fish tanks maintain their temperature control. Happy reading!
Aquarium Chiller Introduction
Fish, corals, and other creatures are considered cold-blooded. Meaning to say they live with no independent body control – it is the environment that controls their internal body temperature. Aquariums need not be hotter than 83 degrees Fahrenheit no matter what the situation is.
When exceeds, the water oxygen level begins to minimize, which eventually causes a competitive- disagreeable condition for the inhabitants to acquire oxygen. That’s where aquarium chillers come very beneficial.
What is Aquarium Chiller?
As the name suggests, aquarium chiller is a piece of equipment used for cooling the water in a tank by controlling the temperature fluctuations due to heating, climate, and by devices related to aquariums (e.g., light) as well as keeping the tank at a nice cool working temperature. This is especially ideal if the tank has a partial or direct sunlight contact or you operate a hot workspace or home.
How Does it Work?
An aquarium cooler is generally composed of various components: condenser, expansion valve, compressor, and heat exchange coil.
It works by simply getting rid of heat from the water and then moving it to another place (called heat exchange). While there’s a “cool” term, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the tank’s water would become cold. It doesn’t work that way.
It all starts with a good heat exchanger. Here, the refrigerant absorbs the heat from the water being circulated in your unit. The compressor will now pump the refrigerant vapor to reach the condenser once it’s cooled. It will then sent back to the heat exchanger for another process of removing heat from the tank water.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Small Aquarium Water Chiller
We aim to ease down your search, so here are some crucial factors for you to ponder on when selecting the right device.
Type of Chiller Aquarium
In-line and drop-in are the two types of aquarium cooler. The former is best for vast tanks and saltwater reefs, while the latter is mostly available with saltwater reef setups. Also, would you rather opt for a fan or a water chiller?
Material
For example, you’ll want to invest in a corrosion-resistant material. This is good both for saltwater and freshwater. Units that are made from superior plastic materials are preferable as well.
Tank Capacity
Make sure to read the information before laying out money thoroughly. It must fit well to the size of your aquarium.
Flow Rate
Go for one that’s not too fast or too slow when using. The right flow rate guarantees a stable water temperature throughout.
Energy Consumption
You surely have enough expenses. Seeing a spike on your electricity bill is the last thing you want to happen. Hence, it makes sense to opt for a chiller that only consumes less energy as possible.
Noise Level
Some models produce a lot of noise, so be mindful of those. Check out what customers are saying about the operation noise to give you an idea.
Refrigerant
Various models now incorporate technology to make the chiller environmentally-friendly – called refrigerant liquid. It emits a cooling effect without harming the environment. HFC-134a and EcoFluor R410 are some of the most popularly used refrigerants.
Maintenance
Is keeping a unit not really your forte? We suggest you obtain models that only require less care, like iPettie Chiller.
Top 7 Best Small Aquarium Water Chiller
With hundreds of cooler units available, finding the right product may seem a complex and time-consuming task. Don’t worry. We’ll make it quite easier for you with our list of best devices below.
1. IceProbe Thermoelectric Aquarium Chiller
Its thermoelectric technology makes IceProbe efficient and reliable – capable of cooling 10 to 20 gallons of water by approximately 6-8 degrees F and 3-4 degrees F. It can even chill up to 40 gallons by merely 1 or 2 degrees. That’s how powerful this small device is, definitely suited for your small aquarium tank! People also love how durable and reasonably priced this unit is.
Pros
- Well-built
- Efficient and reliable
- Adjustable
- Quiet operation
- Value for money
Cons
- May emit lots of heat
2. Hamilton Technology Aqua Euro Max Aquarium Chiller
While expensive, this device from Hamilton is totally worth every single penny. The heat exchanger works at twenty-five percent BTU/watt. It can chill up to 700 gallons with a flow rate of 160-295 gallons per hour. Setting it up is relatively easy, plus cleaning and maintaining it won’t give you too much hassle. It has a compact design, so still applicable to use for small tanks and won’t take up much space.
Pros
- Sophisticated, durable built
- Precise temperature
- Anti-freezing system
- Consumer less energy
- Easy to operate
Cons
- Costly
3. JBJ Aquarium Arctica Titanium Chiller
If you want quick working equipment to cool your aquarium tank, the Arctica Titanium chiller from JBJ might satisfy your budget and cooling needs. Regarded as the quietest model available today. It regulates 130 gallons and below. An LCD is included to see the temperature in your tank clearly.
Pros
- Highly efficient
- Works quietly
- Use less energy
- Corrosion-resistant
- Simple to plug and operate
Cons
- Pump not included
4. Petzilla Aquarium Chiller
If you’re tight on budget but want a quality small aquarium chiller, Petzilla is the product to go. You can choose from one to five fan system. It can reduce the temperature by up to four degrees Celsius. It also comes preassembled along with an AC adapter, and its clamp boasts a strong and stable feature.
Pros
- Cools fast
- Very easy to setup
- Ensures a steady temperature
- Less energy consumption
- Comes with five fans
Cons
- A bit loud
5. Teco Tank TK-500 Aquarium Chiller
Are you looking for a water chiller that can be able to cool up to 130 water gallons? Teco Tank is what you may need. It is ideal for an extensive array of applications. Features a modern design and outstanding components for the best aquarium tank cooler possible.
Pros
- Top-notch build quality
- Highly efficient and very quiet operation
- Cooling and heating functions
- Features thermostat and red LED display
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Quite pricey
6. iPettie Cooling Fan Chiller
Another affordable cooling fan chiller we have is from iPettie. It is purchasable in numerous forms – opt for two to six fans depending on your needs. It comes preassembled with a very easy setup and has a working temperature of below 26° and requires regular cleaning. It maintains an amazing cooling effect.
Pros
- Choose between 2 to 6 fans
- Fast and robust
- Budget-friendly
- Simple to mount
Cons
- Can only reduce the temperature by 1-2 degrees
7. Chill Solutions 11415 Thermoelectric Aquarium Chiller
This nano aquarium chiller uses advanced technology to deliver a stable, accurate cooling temperature. The built-in thermostat can be programmed from 45° F to 90° F. A good equipment for holding up to thirty gallons of water. You can even use it for eliminating the heat produced by pumps, UV sterilizers, and high-intensity lighting to make the water in your tank much warmer.
Pros
- Quality HDPE base
- Quiet operation
- Adjustable operation
- Comes assembled
- Includes thermostat and AC adapter
Cons
- Quite pricey
Small Aquarium Chiller Alternatives
Are you looking for a simple, more pocket-friendly small aquarium cooler? Here are your alternatives!
Zoo Med Fan: A nice option if you have a nano-sized aquarium. It is very lightweight and handy. As for the price, it will surely complement well with anyone’s budget. It comes equipped with a duckbill control vent and suction cup to adjust the airflow according to your desire easily.
ColdWind Cooling Fan: When it comes to efficiency, ColdWind has a side-to-side edge against other well-known brands. It contains two fans that work together for chilling the water in your tank. Very easy to install as well as features a wide-angle setting. This will allow you to separate each fan and cool down different tank areas.
ISTA Cooling System: A simple cooler designed for saltwater and freshwater small fish tanks – around forty-centimeter length. The package includes a cable and power adapter. Installation is easy peasy, too. Since it’s a fan, expect to hear a bit of noise when in operation. ISTA is a recommended device for newcomers.
Conclusion
Each of these aquarium chillers offers outstanding capabilities. But of course, there are a few that definitely stand out from the rest. We have our definition of the best product – be that as per your basic requirements or needs for a cooler, budget, and specific criteria. These are just reliable recommendations on the market, which we think would suit well to your personal choice.
Newbies who want to try the efficiency of the chiller can invest in a simple cooling fan first to determine if it’s really meant for them. Otherwise, you can opt for a model with some advanced features. Though, expect to shell out more money. Whereas, those who have been in the market for an aquarium cooler can explore out other choices.
So, ready to mount a new chiller in your shopping cart?
