Hailea Water Chillers - HC Series Reservoir Chillers, 100A to 1000A
Best for: hydroponic and DWC growers whose reservoir keeps running too warm and needs proper mechanical cooling rather than ice bottles or a fan pointed at the tank.
Our thoughts
This listing covers the full Hailea HC chiller range, from the compact HC-100A right up to the HC-1000A for big reservoirs, so the model you need depends entirely on your tank size and how hard your room runs in summer. Don't buy on price alone here - undersizing a chiller for your reservoir volume means it'll run constantly and still struggle to hold temperature. Match the model to your tank size guide and it'll do the job quietly in the background.
Hailea Water Chillers are dedicated reservoir chillers built to keep nutrient solution temperature down in hydroponic, DWC and aquarium systems. Warm reservoir water drops dissolved oxygen levels, slows nutrient uptake and creates the conditions Pythium (root rot) thrives in, and that risk climbs fast during warmer months or in grow rooms running hot from lighting.
The range runs from the HC-100A up to the HC-1000A, sized to match reservoirs from around 100 litres up to 1000 litres and beyond, with pump flow rates scaling accordingly across the range - from roughly 200-1000 litres per hour on the smallest model up to around 4000 litres per hour on the largest. Every model in the HC range uses an anti-corrosive titanium evaporator safe for both fresh water and nutrient solution, runs on ozone-friendly R134a refrigerant rather than older Freon-based gases, and includes a temperature memory function that returns the unit to its previous setpoint automatically after a power cut, so your target temperature doesn't get lost.
How it compares
Water chillers are a specialist, fairly expensive category, and Hailea's HC range is one of the most widely stocked options in UK hydro shops.
- Teco's TK and TR series chillers are a common alternative, generally aimed more at the aquarium market but also used in hydroponics, often at a higher price point per litre of capacity.
- D-D's DC-series chillers are popular in the reef aquarium world and cost noticeably more, reflecting a different target market.
- EcoPlus chillers are a budget US-market alternative, less commonly stocked in the UK than the Hailea HC range.
Hailea's HC range is priced competitively for the titanium evaporator and R134a spec you're getting, and its wide availability in the UK makes parts and support easier to find than some of the alternatives.
Usage guidance
Sizing
Match the chiller model to your actual reservoir volume rather than rounding down - a chiller working constantly at its limit won't hold temperature as well as one with some headroom.
Target temperature
Keep reservoir water between 18-21°C for the best balance of dissolved oxygen, nutrient uptake and resistance to root rot.
Plumbing in
Run the chiller in-line with your existing reservoir pump, following the flow rate range specified for your chosen model to avoid over or under-driving the unit.
Power cuts
The temperature memory function will resume your previous setpoint automatically, so you don't need to reset it after every power interruption.
Technical specifications
- Model range: HC-100A, HC-150A, HC-300A, HC-500A, HC-1000A
- HC-100A recommended tank size: approx. 100 litres, 1/20HP, flow 200-1000 L/h
- HC-1000A recommended tank size: approx. 1000 litres, 1HP, flow up to 4000 L/h
- Mid-range models (150A/300A/500A): scale between the above, sized to progressively larger reservoirs - check the specific model's tank size guide before buying
- Evaporator: anti-corrosive titanium, safe for fresh water and nutrient solution
- Refrigerant: R134a (ozone-friendly, Freon-free)
- Feature: temperature memory, resumes previous setpoint after power loss
- Warranty: 1 year across the range
- Manufacturer: Hailea
Who this is for
- DWC and hydro growers whose reservoir regularly climbs above 21°C
- Growers in hot grow rooms or warmer climates needing mechanical cooling, not just insulation
- Larger or commercial setups needing chiller capacity that scales with tank size
- Anyone who's had root rot issues linked to warm reservoir temperatures
Best suited to growers who've checked their actual reservoir volume and flow needs and picked the matching HC model, rather than guessing.
Our take
A reservoir chiller isn't a purchase most growers make on a whim - it's usually bought after root rot or wilting has already shown what a warm tank does to a crop. Hailea's HC range covers reservoirs from around 100 litres right up to 1000 litres with the same titanium evaporator and R134a spec throughout, so the only real decision is picking the right size.
Does exactly what it should, day in, day out. Worth picking up once you know your reservoir volume - check the size guide for your model before you buy rather than guessing.
