metal halide

17 posts • Page 1 of 2

Discuss all topics related to saltwater / reef tanks.


memphis
 
Posts: 31
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:14 pm

metal halide

by memphis

i was running power compacts (260 watts) and just up graded to metal halide sytem (775 watts). wondering do i have to run my new light at shorter length of time so that everything gets used to the watts. i have a 55 gallon reef


fihsboy
 
Posts: 1837
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2008 4:20 pm

by fihsboy

if you have a bunch of corals..move them lower so you dont burn them.


schigara
 
Posts: 468
Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2008 5:42 pm

by schigara

If you have too much coral to move or they have been permanently mounted with epoxy, you can lay 3 or 4 pieces of window screen over the top of the tank and remove one layer a week. This is the easiest way to acclimate to new lights.

How many hours a day are you running the halides?


memphis
 
Posts: 31
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:14 pm

by memphis

i would like to run them about 8 hours


newbie916
 
Posts: 375
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 3:12 pm

by newbie916

Wow, that's 14 watts per gallon!!! I would probably do what schigara suggests. I just upgraded to 500 watts in my 95 gallon and the corals are doing great. My corals adjusted very well to the light and the colors have become more vibrant over the last 4 weeks. You may run into some heating issues, especially during the summer. My tank is running between 76-78 degrees and my house is at 68 degrees. How's your water temp?


memphis
 
Posts: 31
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:14 pm

by memphis

right about the same 76-78 but i plan on getting a chiller


fihsboy
 
Posts: 1837
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2008 4:20 pm

by fihsboy

Yeah man. A lot of people are running extreme lighting now. Im running 300watts over a 29 gallon. Its beautiful. :) No heat issues....corals bleach at the top unless they are acros. Then they are fine. You should be fine just watch what you put in and watch your corals for bleaching.


newbie916
 
Posts: 375
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 3:12 pm

by newbie916

That's awesome guys, I thought about getting the 2x250 watt MH's, but my wife didn't want to buy a chiller and increase our electric bill. lol Damn freakin expensive hobby, but I love it.


schigara
 
Posts: 468
Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2008 5:42 pm

by schigara

Why is everyone so concerned with chillers?

I have 500w of MH and 2 54w T5 HO actinics over a 75g and just have one 8inch fan blowing over the surface of the display.

As long as you have A/C in your house and keep the temp less than 76 degrees ambient in the house in the summer, fans can take care of the tank temp.

All year long, my tank stays at a set temp of 79deg by the heater and gets no higher than 80.5 during the day even in the summer. With another fan blowing over the sump, I could keep it at even 76-78 deg but I have now idea why one would want to keep a reef tank that cool.


fihsboy
 
Posts: 1837
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2008 4:20 pm

by fihsboy

Agreed. I have 2 computer fans on either side of the hood......they keep it more than cool. Sometimes they make my heater work hard. What I dont get......is the evaporation.......JESUS. I probably loose a gallon a day maybe a gallon and a half....normal?

metal halide

17 posts • Page 1 of 2

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