| What is the single most significant ancillary item in | | | | freshwater or salt water fish tank then |
| household aquariums? You guessed it right - it is a | | | | thermoelectric type of water chiller is best and a fine |
| water chiller! The natural environment for fish is | | | | example is the IceProbe chiller. These types of chillers |
| water and just like any living being, fish is susceptible | | | | are only suitable for tanks with a capacity lower than |
| to changes in this environment. A constant | | | | 55 gallons. For larger aquariums one needs to use the |
| temperature bath where the temperature depends | | | | in-line type of chillers. |
| on the variety of the fish is a must in any aquarium, | | | | - Drop-in water chiller - This type of chiller is most |
| lest the fish may not survive too long. A water chiller | | | | suitable for fast water flow requirements and large |
| is therefore imperative for "climatic control" most | | | | tanks. Reef aquariums are particularly using drop-in |
| suitable to the species of fish. This may vary for | | | | chillers. Constrained space warrants a compact |
| different kinds of marine life but we shall only discuss | | | | system and this type of chillers perfectly fit into the |
| the most common techniques of temperature control. | | | | requirements of the aquarium and its inmates. |
| Type of water chiller available in the market | | | | - In-line water chiller - This water chiller may not be |
| There are three prime kinds of water chiller available | | | | totally suitable for home aquariums unless it is for a |
| for fish aquariums. They are based on the | | | | mansion or a large villa or a ranch in Texas! It requires |
| thermoelectric, or inline chillers, or drop-in chiller | | | | in-line filtered water and intensive plumbing etc. |
| systems. When finalizing on this system one must | | | | Therefore it may be more suitable for larger |
| take into account the space available and the | | | | commercial spaces. |
| plumbing requirements, without which the | | | | How should one choose a water chiller? |
| temperature control will not be effective. The | | | | As mentioned earlier, a water chiller is very important |
| aquarium parts like stirrer, lighting, pumps give out a | | | | for the health of your fish and it should be chosen |
| lot of heat that can easily raise the temperature of | | | | with care and by considering the size of the |
| the water to unbearable levels for the delicate fish. | | | | aquarium, what kind of fish is being kept inside the |
| An aquarium owner is always aware of the drastic | | | | tank, temperature generation level tolerated by the |
| effect of changing temperatures on the health of his | | | | fish, and overall setup of the aquarium assembly. The |
| pets and therefore great care must be taken to | | | | main purpose of cooling and maintaining the |
| choose the best system available at the pet stores. | | | | temperature of the water must always be kept in |
| Do not ever compromise on water chiller quality and | | | | mind and the setup so chosen that the circulating |
| wide duty rating since extreme climates such as in | | | | water, aeration to provide oxygen to the fish and |
| the US can cause a lot of distress to the pet owners. | | | | other relevant factors are satisfied. A water chiller is |
| Let us now see what the salient features of the | | | | an integral part of the aquarium assembly that must |
| water chiller and where a specific type should be | | | | be planned earlier to the purchase or breeding of |
| used. | | | | your fish. |
| - Thermoelectric Chillers - If you have a small | | | | |