Tank and Coil Chiller Setup
Equipment list














Bleach
Aquarium (min 10 Gal)
Chiller (there are several types)
Insulated box or some kind of tank cover (You may need to make this)
Pea gravel – Enough to cover the bottom of the tank 1 ½ inches deep.
Coil Chiller
Air pump (bubbler), small air hose, air restrictor on end of small hose, water/air
deflector (Recommended model – AquaClear Powerhead for 10 to 30 Gallon
Aquariums)
Under gravel filter with large tube/s for air pump (bubbler)
2 five gallon buckets (One is used for new water that has been gassing off for 24
hrs and one is for waste water during water change)
1 bait bucket (bucket with air bubbler built in), D battery for bubbler
Surge protector with 2 available plugs
Thermometer, net, water siphon
Tap water conditioner (Still try to allow water to gas off for at least 24 hrs in 5
gallon bucket when doing water change.)
Fish food (supplied when picking up eggs, don’t use old food)
Step 1:
 Disinfect everything with a bleach &
water solution. (1 cup per 5 gal should be
adequate)
This includes:
 Aquarium
 Coil Chiller (Clean Coils)
 Air Pump – Bubbler (Run in bleach
solution)
 Under-Gravel Filter And Tube/s
 Gravel & Any Rocks
 Thermometer, Turkey Baster, Net
 Buckets, bait bucket (bubbler bucket)
Rinse thoroughly to remove all bleach
Step 2:
 When setting up tank make sure your
hands are clean and free of lotion.
 Setup the cover to keep eggs and fry in
the dark. Using insulated sides, bottom
and top instead of just a box will
reduce the amount of time the chiller
will need to run.
 The Coil will be at the back of the
tank.
 If using a cardboard box leave a gap of
at least 5 inches above the tank. The
bubbler will splatter and then the
toxins from the box will drip back in.
 Cut out an area where the coil hose,
the small bubbler air hose, and power
cord will exit tank. Remember to
cover this corner with something to
keep out light.
Step 3:
 Place under gravel filter
in tank with openings
towards back of tank.
 Insert tubes for air pump.
The first one will twist
into place & the second
one will slide into the
first.
Under
Gravel Filter
Large filter tube (twists into place)
Second tube
slides into
first here
Step 4:
 Connect water/air deflector to
front of air pump first.
 Then connect small air tube to
same location in front of pump
Air restrictor
(Reduces bubble
size and noise)
Small
air tube Connection
point
Water/air
deflector
Connection
point
Cone shaped
adaptor for
gravel filter tube
Water/air
deflector
Small
air tube
Step 5:
 Connect cone shaped plastic piece
to bottom of the pump. This will
create a good connection to the
large tube going into the gravel
filter.
 Place air pump on large gravel
filter tube from previous step and
attach to corner of tank
Cone shaped
adaptor for
gravel filter tube
Gravel
filter tube
Step 6:
 There are two attachments. One is a
suction cup and the other is a clamp.
The suction cup is easier to install.
Clamp
adaptor
Suction
cup
adaptor
Step 7:
 If you didn’t already place your
aquarium inside of the insulated
box you created, please do so now.
 Place chiller coil into tank
 Add your gravel. If your using a
few larger rocks in your tank,
spread them out a little. Try to use
natural colored rocks and pea
gravel in your tank to match a river
system.
Step 8:
Cut a small hole about 4” X 6” in the
front of your box. This will be your
viewing window when watching the
eggs and fry. Limit light exposure to no
more than 30 minutes per day. Be sure
you can open and close this viewing
window. Add a handle made from tape
if needed. Make sure the hole is high
enough to see above and below the
gravel line.
Viewing Window
Step 9:






Add tap water or drinking water.
Do not use distilled water as this will not hold oxygen.
Plug in the chiller and air pump (bubbler).
Verify chiller is set between 54° and 56°
Verify water is cooling to the correct temperature
Setup tank at least 2 weeks prior to receiving eggs. This way you can report
any problems or missing pieces.