First Post - Lighting Question

chuckster · 03-17-2004, 08:15 PM

Hey folks I've been watching the board for a few days and like what I see. Allot of familiar names ie. ReefLady from a "previous life".
Anyway I'm putting together a 90G tank which will be 90% LPS, Shrooms etc w/ 440w VHO and 110w actinic. However I REALLY want to be able to keep a Crocea or Maxima. My issue is the heat from MH's. The tank will be in a kitchen that already heats up pretty bad in the summer no matter how cold the A/C is set and we spend allot of time in that room.
I've got a 1/4 h chiller so the tank temp should be OK. As a "middle ground" I'm considering putting just 1 250w HQI MH in the canopy. I'm afraid that if I put the MH on one end of the tank it will look "out of balance". The tank is center braced. If I put the MH in the middle of the canopy, how much do you think the MH shining through the brace will affect the available light to the tank? Enough still available to keep a healthy Maxima? Maybe just at the top of the rockwork?
THOUGHTS??????

ReefLady · 03-17-2004, 08:30 PM

Chuckster,

I really wish I knew more about clams. I think there are some members out there who can help you much better than I can.

I'm pretty sure that the Crocea is the most light dependent - the Max. might be a bit more tolerant.

Fans are pretty good at keeping heat issues at bay - especially when the hood is well vented.

I guess I'm posting mostly to 'bump' this - I know someone out there has a better answer than I do.

Tarasco · 03-17-2004, 08:32 PM

Welcome to RS!

I think that the single halide on one side will look out of balance a little, but the only way to know for sure is to try it.

Do you have any fans in your canopy? Or in your sump? Placing fans so that they blow over the surface over the main tank and sump will definitely help on those hot days.

Are you sure that the chiller wouldn't be able to handle things? What kind of ambient temps do you get in the kitchen during the summer?

I think that if you place a clam on the top of the rockwork, you could be fine with the amount of light you have. The colors might not stand out as much as you'd like, but it would still look good!

chuckster · 03-17-2004, 08:36 PM

Yes, I plan on running plenty of ventilation/fans on the sump and in the canopy. Plus I've got the chiller. The tank temp is NOT my concern though.
I've never run MH's but have heard folks talk about the way they heat up a room!! My ambient in that room runs about 78F when the wife's cooking dinner and the rest of the house is at say 75.
I'm just worried about the room being comforatable for PEOPLE not the critters.
THANKS for the input!!!!!

wooddood · 03-18-2004, 12:51 PM

i keep a crocea clam in my 120 under 520 watts of pc lighting and its on the bottom of the tank and doing fine.and has been for several months.

Tarasco · 03-18-2004, 01:23 PM

That Halides are warm, but I don't think that they're THAT warm. With the fans, I bet it'll be fine.

Woodstock · 03-18-2004, 03:15 PM

Chuckster, i'm upgrading my lights on my 90 gal to MH from 260 watts PC. I love the lighting now but I have a new passion for BTA's so I want to get a bit more spectrum. I have chosen to go with 2x 175 watts because i'm afraid of the 250's extra heat

.

Let us know which way you go!! GL!

NaH2O · 03-18-2004, 04:28 PM

WELCOME TO REEF SANCTUARY!!!

chuckster · 03-18-2004, 04:29 PM

THANKS!!!!!!! NICE FOLKS!!!!!!!

03-17-2004, 08:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
chuckster Tubeworm Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 33 View Gallery Karma Komment	First Post - Lighting Question Hey folks I've been watching the board for a few days and like what I see. Allot of familiar names ie. ReefLady from a "previous life". Anyway I'm putting together a 90G tank which will be 90% LPS, Shrooms etc w/ 440w VHO and 110w actinic. However I REALLY want to be able to keep a Crocea or Maxima. My issue is the heat from MH's. The tank will be in a kitchen that already heats up pretty bad in the summer no matter how cold the A/C is set and we spend allot of time in that room. I've got a 1/4 h chiller so the tank temp should be OK. As a "middle ground" I'm considering putting just 1 250w HQI MH in the canopy. I'm afraid that if I put the MH on one end of the tank it will look "out of balance". The tank is center braced. If I put the MH in the middle of the canopy, how much do you think the MH shining through the brace will affect the available light to the tank? Enough still available to keep a healthy Maxima? Maybe just at the top of the rockwork? THOUGHTS??????

03-17-2004, 08:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
ReefLady Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 2,029 View Gallery Karma Komment	Chuckster, I really wish I knew more about clams. I think there are some members out there who can help you much better than I can. I'm pretty sure that the Crocea is the most light dependent - the Max. might be a bit more tolerant. Fans are pretty good at keeping heat issues at bay - especially when the hood is well vented. I guess I'm posting mostly to 'bump' this - I know someone out there has a better answer than I do. __________________ ~ Teri -------- "You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice."

03-17-2004, 08:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tarasco Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 724 View Gallery Karma Komment	Welcome to RS! I think that the single halide on one side will look out of balance a little, but the only way to know for sure is to try it. Do you have any fans in your canopy? Or in your sump? Placing fans so that they blow over the surface over the main tank and sump will definitely help on those hot days. Are you sure that the chiller wouldn't be able to handle things? What kind of ambient temps do you get in the kitchen during the summer? I think that if you place a clam on the top of the rockwork, you could be fine with the amount of light you have. The colors might not stand out as much as you'd like, but it would still look good! __________________ Mike "I saw what the governor makes. That's like four hands of blackjack." -- Charles Barkley on why he wasn't seriously considering becoming the Governor of Alabama

03-18-2004, 12:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	i keep a crocea clam in my 120 under 520 watts of pc lighting and its on the bottom of the tank and doing fine.and has been for several months. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

03-18-2004, 01:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tarasco Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 724 View Gallery Karma Komment	That Halides are warm, but I don't think that they're THAT warm. With the fans, I bet it'll be fine. __________________ Mike "I saw what the governor makes. That's like four hands of blackjack." -- Charles Barkley on why he wasn't seriously considering becoming the Governor of Alabama

03-17-2004, 08:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
chuckster Tubeworm Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 33 View Gallery Karma Komment	Yes, I plan on running plenty of ventilation/fans on the sump and in the canopy. Plus I've got the chiller. The tank temp is NOT my concern though. I've never run MH's but have heard folks talk about the way they heat up a room!! My ambient in that room runs about 78F when the wife's cooking dinner and the rest of the house is at say 75. I'm just worried about the room being comforatable for PEOPLE not the critters. THANKS for the input!!!!!

03-18-2004, 03:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,199 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Chuckster, i'm upgrading my lights on my 90 gal to MH from 260 watts PC. I love the lighting now but I have a new passion for BTA's so I want to get a bit more spectrum. I have chosen to go with 2x 175 watts because i'm afraid of the 250's extra heat . Let us know which way you go!! GL! __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My QT/Hospital Tank* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

03-18-2004, 04:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
NaH2O Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,928 View Gallery Karma Komment	WELCOME TO REEF SANCTUARY!!! __________________ ~Nikki~

03-18-2004, 04:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
chuckster Tubeworm Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 33 View Gallery Karma Komment	THANKS!!!!!!! NICE FOLKS!!!!!!! __________________ 30L Mini Reef 40# LR 3" SB Mated Pair False Percs, Yellow Tang, Sun Polyp, 2 Open Brains, Candy, Ricordia, Torch, Tons Of Mushrooms, BTA, Thoads, Zoa's Variety of Snails, Shrimp and Hermits

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