Active Aqua 1/2 HP Chiller with Power Boost | 90–172 Gallons

Power Boost temporarily increases the chiller's cooling output to accelerate the initial temperature drop when starting from a warm reservoir. Instead of slowly working down from ambient temperature at standard capacity, the unit pushes harder at startup to reach your target range faster — then maintains that temperature normally once established. This is particularly useful at the start of a new cycle or after a reservoir refill.

Active Aqua recommends this 1/2 HP unit for reservoir volumes between 90 and 172 gallons. Using it on a reservoir significantly larger than this range will result in longer chilling times and reduced temperature precision — for larger systems, step up to a higher HP unit. Refer to the performance chart in the product information tab for detailed cooling capability data at varying volumes and ambient temperatures.

Active Aqua recommends the AAPW800 or AAPW1000 water pumps for use with this unit. These pumps are matched to the 1/2 HP chiller's flow rate range of 800–1,600 GPH, ensuring adequate solution circulation through the titanium evaporator for optimal chilling efficiency. Using a pump with insufficient flow rate will reduce chilling performance.

Yes. The pure titanium evaporator is specifically anti-corrosive and rated for both fresh and saltwater applications. This makes it suitable for nutrient-rich hydroponic solutions that would degrade lesser evaporator materials over time — titanium resists corrosion from dissolved salts, minerals, and pH-adjusted solutions under continuous-duty operation.

The chiller works by transferring heat out of the solution — the larger the gap between the starting solution temperature and the target temperature, the more work the unit has to do. In a hot grow room or during summer months, a warm starting solution means longer initial chilling times regardless of unit size. The Power Boost function helps compensate for this, but setting up in a climate-controlled environment and pre-cooling incoming water when possible will always improve initial chilling speed.

No on both counts. This chiller is approved for indoor use only and is explicitly not rated for central or house plumbing connections. It is designed to circulate nutrient solution between a reservoir and the chiller unit in a closed-loop hydroponic setup — outdoor environments and direct plumbing integration fall outside its rated operating conditions.

The unit ships with 1/2", 3/4", and 1" fittings to accommodate most common reservoir and pump plumbing configurations. Connection is straightforward — the solution is pumped from the reservoir through the chiller's titanium evaporator and returned to the reservoir in a continuous loop. Refer to the assembly instructions PDF for full connection diagrams and setup guidance.