Is It Necessary to Get an Aquarium Chiller?

Anytime you think about something that should be added to your aquarium, you should be thinking about whether the ecosystem within the tank needs it. More specifically, you should think about whether the fish you keep need it or will benefit from what you’re adding, and this goes for nutrition, water conditioners, additives, bacteria, live meals, decorations, and fish tank supplies such as aquarium chillers. Since nearly all aquarium species, both freshwater and saltwater, thrive in tropical habitats, chillers aren’t very common, but their installation may be required in some cases.

Understanding Aquarium Chillers

In essence, chillers serve the opposite purpose of heaters. Similar to heaters, chillers feature a thermostat unit that measures water temperature and sends a signal to the control unit to activate the cooling mechanism. The large and lavish reef tanks you normally see at tourist attractions will likely be equipped with both heaters and chillers controlled by a dual-stage mechanism to maintain water temperature at optimal levels.

Considering Ambient Room Temperature

Compared to tropical fish, humans and household pets have different levels of tolerance to various temperature levels. In a region such as South Florida, a reef tank will thrive during most of the year if it’s located in a spot where it gets sunlight in addition to a nice breeze. There’s also the residential HVAC unit to consider, which could have a chilling effect on the tank, thus requiring a temperature control system. At the same time, climate change is causing strong summer temperature fluctuations in the Midwest, where a high of 75 degrees Fahrenheit could rise to 95 degrees within the same week, thus making chillers an ideal piece of aquarium equipment.

Crowded Aquariums and Larger Tanks

When too many species are kept in a single tank, the ecosystem will experience a higher biological load, meaning more waste will be produced by fish, invertebrates, plants, and microorganisms. This biological load will cause water temperatures to rise, thus leading to a reduction in oxygen levels. Unless you have the right mix of plants oxygenating the tank, you may need a chiller to keep water temperatures at optimal levels for busy and crowded aquariums.

Subtropical Species that Require Chillers

Keeping subtropical fish in a region where temperatures are typically stifling is a hobby that will likely require a chiller for some months of the year. Some aquarists who live near the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico may not need HVAC units in their homes because of natural air circulation systems, but their tanks may need chillers if they keep species such as paradise fish, dragon gobies, and colorful barbs that swim in schools. Even though most subtropical species require larger tanks, keeping them is very easy with a planted aquarium and a chiller because these ecosystems tend to be cleaner than their tropical counterparts.

Whether you need an aquarium chiller or another supply for your fish tank, such as an aquarium dosing pump, LED lighting, or filtration, Aquatic Warehouse has everything you need. Stop by our store in Kearny Mesa, or give us a call at 858-467-9297.