HAILEA HC -150A WATER CHILLER

Description

Hailea HC-150A Water Chiller is a precision refrigeration unit for hydroponic reservoir cooling that we have been supplying to UK growers since 2017. Maintaining nutrient solution temperature below 22°C is one of the most important — and most frequently overlooked — factors in hydroponic growing success. As reservoir temperature rises above this threshold, dissolved oxygen levels drop, beneficial aerobic bacteria are suppressed and Pythium and other root rot pathogens flourish. The HC-150A’s 150W compressor provides sufficient cooling capacity for reservoirs of 50–100 litres in typical UK grow room ambient temperatures.

The Direct Link Between Solution Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen and Root Health

Water’s ability to hold dissolved oxygen decreases as temperature increases — at 20°C, water holds approximately 9.1 mg/L of dissolved oxygen; at 28°C this drops to 7.8 mg/L, and at the root surface where biological activity is highest, local depletion can be significantly worse. Pythium species — the primary water mould pathogen responsible for root rot in hydroponics — have an optimum growth temperature of 24–28°C and proliferate rapidly in warm, low-oxygen reservoirs. Keeping solution temperature at 18–20°C maintains dissolved oxygen at levels that support root function and suppress pathogen growth simultaneously. In warm UK summers, grow room ambient temperatures regularly exceed 25°C, making passive temperature management impossible without active chilling. The HC-150A addresses this directly — its titanium heat exchanger is rated for continuous nutrient solution contact and delivers reliable temperature maintenance at the set point regardless of ambient conditions.

Sizing, Installation and System Integration

The HC-150A is rated for reservoirs of 50–100 litres in environments where ambient temperature is 25–30°C. Connect the chiller’s inlet and outlet to your reservoir using 19mm internal diameter tubing, driven by a small circulation pump (not included). Set the thermostat to your target temperature — typically 18–20°C. Pair with a Hailea air pump to maintain dissolved oxygen alongside temperature control, and a reservoir thermometer to verify thermostat accuracy on first use.