250 MH or 400 MH's?????? - Page 4

Maxx · 12-07-2003, 02:19 PM

Danny,
If you're gonna cool the water anyway, why not place the DE's closer to the surface of the water? I personally think that one of the main reasons people don't use DE more often is simply because of one reason, and a consequential effect of that reason. The heat thing is an issue, period. It can cause alot of troubles that unless you adequately prepare for, can wipe out your tank. Since its a hassle to think through potential problems, (not just here, society as a whole. And I'm just as guilty as the rest of the planet, so please don't think I'm climbing up on a pedastal...soap box maybe, but no pedastal

), most people will just go with whats easier. Since most people will go with whats easier they generally gravitate towards mogul based bulbs/set-ups. Since this is what most people do, there are more options available in mogul/SE bulbs. Consequently, since there are more options available in the SE/ Mogul range, then more people will gravitate towards those choices...vicious cycle...rinse, wash, repeat....
to be honest w/ you. I've only recently purchased an HQI/DE set up. I will have it up and running (hopefully) here shortly, and I will be able to give you guys my personal experiances. I am planning on having the tank run w/ just rock in it for a few months prior to placing in any corals. This will also give me time to fine tune the tank, and deal w/ any instability or heat related issues.
Nick

danny254 · 12-07-2003, 05:01 PM

Nick,

I switched to DE from SE not long ago. The reason for that was I didn't like how my old lights were mounted with a not-the-best reflector, my ballast was HQI style, and I would have better air circulation with just 2 fixtures. Rather than how I used to have it. And part of the reason is that with how the new lights were mounted there would be less heat added to the water and the hood would be much more open for access. I did notice when you put your hand 5 inches below the DE's it's noticably a lot hotter. I never actually measured the difference in light coming from the bulb, but I know its not noticable to the eye. As far as coral growth, there are way to many variables to say that one light is better than the other for growth.

That was my reason for going to DE over my display, I still run SE over frag tanks, mainly for like what you said about it being easier setting up SE fixtures.

Maxx · 12-08-2003, 02:57 AM

Neat set up Danny! You have what looks like a return flow that goes over the cross brace in the center to keep it from getting too hot? Smart call. Can you post other pics of your set up? I'd be interested in seeing the rest of your lay out, to include pics of your rock work...thanks
Nick

Pro_builder · 12-08-2003, 08:03 AM

Danny that is a reall ynice setup that you have there. What are the black boxes that you have on your spray bar?
Thanks for the pictures.

danny254 · 12-08-2003, 08:14 PM

I'll post some pics and explain things in a minute, just gotta go snap some pics.

Pro_builder · 12-08-2003, 08:26 PM

Does anyone have a good picture of thier hood.
I am looking for a good diagram of M/H and PC's with the PC's hanging from the Parabolic Reflector's. Something like this one:
http://www.hogben.org/gallery.php?gallery=reef_tank

danny254 · 12-08-2003, 08:36 PM

Well, here's a picture of the the whole thing. Frag tank in the refugium w/ 250w SE ushio over it in a home made pendant.

danny254 · 12-08-2003, 08:40 PM

Here is the sump, without the light over it. I love this design!!

danny254 · 12-08-2003, 08:41 PM

My custom pendant, made from polished aluminum sheet metal. This baby has the 250w SE mh

danny254 · 12-08-2003, 08:44 PM

My recent batch of Montipora dig, frags!! I have 40 in the pic, but got 30 more being fragged w/ in the next week.

danny254 · 12-08-2003, 08:46 PM

Troy,

The black things are ball vavles to control the flow on each different head.

danny254 · 12-08-2003, 08:49 PM

Left side

danny254 · 12-08-2003, 08:50 PM

Right side!

danny254 · 12-08-2003, 08:53 PM

If anyone was wondering if a 250 DE mh lamp fits in a reagant 500w halogen fixture, It does.

danny254 · 12-08-2003, 09:18 PM

http://www.reefaquariumguide.com/for...threadid=37945

Here's a few more things about the tank.

12-07-2003, 02:19 PM	#46 (permalink)
Maxx Manta Ray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 3,079 View Gallery Karma Komment	Danny, If you're gonna cool the water anyway, why not place the DE's closer to the surface of the water? I personally think that one of the main reasons people don't use DE more often is simply because of one reason, and a consequential effect of that reason. The heat thing is an issue, period. It can cause alot of troubles that unless you adequately prepare for, can wipe out your tank. Since its a hassle to think through potential problems, (not just here, society as a whole. And I'm just as guilty as the rest of the planet, so please don't think I'm climbing up on a pedastal...soap box maybe, but no pedastal ), most people will just go with whats easier. Since most people will go with whats easier they generally gravitate towards mogul based bulbs/set-ups. Since this is what most people do, there are more options available in mogul/SE bulbs. Consequently, since there are more options available in the SE/ Mogul range, then more people will gravitate towards those choices...vicious cycle...rinse, wash, repeat.... to be honest w/ you. I've only recently purchased an HQI/DE set up. I will have it up and running (hopefully) here shortly, and I will be able to give you guys my personal experiances. I am planning on having the tank run w/ just rock in it for a few months prior to placing in any corals. This will also give me time to fine tune the tank, and deal w/ any instability or heat related issues. Nick __________________ "Chaos, confusion, despair...my work is done here." ...Some guy named Murphy.... A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!" Reef Sanctuary Knowledgebase (Answers to all your questions and then some!)

12-08-2003, 02:57 AM	#48 (permalink)
Maxx Manta Ray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 3,079 View Gallery Karma Komment	Neat set up Danny! You have what looks like a return flow that goes over the cross brace in the center to keep it from getting too hot? Smart call. Can you post other pics of your set up? I'd be interested in seeing the rest of your lay out, to include pics of your rock work...thanks Nick __________________ "Chaos, confusion, despair...my work is done here." ...Some guy named Murphy.... A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!" Reef Sanctuary Knowledgebase (Answers to all your questions and then some!)

12-08-2003, 08:03 AM	#49 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Danny that is a reall ynice setup that you have there. What are the black boxes that you have on your spray bar? Thanks for the pictures. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

12-08-2003, 08:26 PM	#51 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Does anyone have a good picture of thier hood. I am looking for a good diagram of M/H and PC's with the PC's hanging from the Parabolic Reflector's. Something like this one: http://www.hogben.org/gallery.php?gallery=reef_tank __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

12-08-2003, 08:36 PM	#52 (permalink)
danny254 Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Redding, northern CA Posts: 101 View Gallery Karma Komment	Well, here's a picture of the the whole thing. Frag tank in the refugium w/ 250w SE ushio over it in a home made pendant. Last edited by Frankie : 01-08-2007 at 11:13 PM.

12-08-2003, 08:14 PM	#50 (permalink)
danny254 Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Redding, northern CA Posts: 101 View Gallery Karma Komment	I'll post some pics and explain things in a minute, just gotta go snap some pics.

12-08-2003, 08:40 PM	#53 (permalink)
danny254 Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Redding, northern CA Posts: 101 View Gallery Karma Komment	Here is the sump, without the light over it. I love this design!! Last edited by Frankie : 01-08-2007 at 11:13 PM.

12-08-2003, 08:46 PM	#56 (permalink)
danny254 Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Redding, northern CA Posts: 101 View Gallery Karma Komment	Troy, The black things are ball vavles to control the flow on each different head. Last edited by Gina : 07-06-2006 at 06:19 PM.

12-08-2003, 09:18 PM	#60 (permalink)
danny254 Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Redding, northern CA Posts: 101 View Gallery Karma Komment	http://www.reefaquariumguide.com/for...threadid=37945 Here's a few more things about the tank.

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