mdaniel2882
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Ok..
Chiller, Most of the time sits outside your tank so it can draw in fresh air, inside the cabinet it'll get to hot. So you sit the chiller next to your tank and drill 2 holes for the hoses.
Like so.
I dont know how hot it gets where you live, But if your planning on having MH with a hood (even with vents) and having a full reef then i'd say you need a chiller. I got mine off ebay for $187 Aussie dollars, Rated to 600L. Perfect for my tank. (4x2x2). Have a look around, its not like you have to rush and go get one. They're other ways to go about it, you could add fans blowing the surface of the DT. Also add RO/DI ice blocks into you sump. But a chiller is a non worry item. Will not have to worry about temp fluctuating.
My tank is open hood, And still temp rised 2c at the end of the MH lighting period.
As for the hoses, I think run hoses in your sump to PVC pipes. Imho, PVC piping done right looks neat and good. Tubing looks not as neat i dont think.
I just don't want anything outside the stand. I talked to my LFS (They rock) and they said I may have to add a fan or two but it should not be an issue. I am mounting pendants on top of the canopy. I would rather add a couple of fans than a chiller
BTW it was 100 today in South Carolina with 80% humidity outside. my house was 73 with 10% humidity