Metal Halide = NOISEY !?!

[jrh]

I don't even think I'm being unreasonable here. I just received a 20" Current USA SunPod HQI 250W MH setup.
Well, I was excited to turn it on and see it light up... then I heard the fans!!!

Granted it's right in my living room, in a corner next to my TV, but I don't think it would matter where this thing was, it's obnoxious and I'd never get used to it.
The fan in the lighting fixture seems to be louder than the fan in the ballast. I've had it running for about 30 minutes now and I don't see it getting any quieter. Some of you might be thinking 'Is it defective?', but I don't think it is, there's nothing unusual about the sound, it's just a loud ass fan.
So my questions are... Did I buy the loudest light on earth? Are others quieter? I'm sure other people have tanks in their living room, do you just deal with the noise?
I don't want to limit myself w/ a different style of lighting. I want to be able to put basically anything in my tank, so my understanding is I need a metal halide. I've just got to find a quieter one than this! :help:

 

[jrh]

Maybe less people actually own MH lighting than I thought.
I'll take anyone's thoughts that has been next to a MH lighting setup in a room that was quiet enough to judge the noise factor. I was at a lfs earlier today but it was too noisy to judge how loud their lights were.
Is it the wattage that decides the loudness for the most part? Would a 150 or 175 watt be much quieter? Are they just as noisy? Is it the specific model I bought? Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[joncat24]

I dont know the current MH's but I have a current 130 pc on my 20 that is louder than the 72" MH/PC odyssea light that I have on my 180. You cant hear the fans running on the odyssea. I think current just uses loud fans for some odd reason.
you can go to a computer webiste and order some computer fans the same size that should be quieter or if it is that bad, take it back>

 

[jrh]

That crossed my mind. I'll need to open it up and take a closer look at the fan inside.
Maybe that'll be the simple fix, maybe not...
It was also supposed to come with some legs which never made it. So I'll need to get in touch w/ either the manufacturer or the store I purchased it from.
I ordered this light online and if I try returning it there will likely be a 20% restocking fee, so needless to say I'll be trying to make it work if at all possible. I could probably sell the thing on a well know bidding style website and take less of a hit than trying to return it!

 

[jrh]

That last post took so long to word just right so that my text wasn't bleeped out.
This website is touchy with what they won't allow!

 

[jrh]

Moderators. Can we move this to the Reef Tank forum instead? There's probably more people in there that actually have MH lighting.

 

[hot883]

Originally Posted by JRH
Moderators. Can we move this to the Reef Tank forum instead? There's probably more people in there that actually have MH lighting.
This is the correct forum for the thread.
BTW, yes the filters do catch alot of the language but not all. Please remember there are children on here and adults that do not need to hear or want to hear the bad language.

Barry

 

[watson3]

This is another reason you will find the retrofits a better fit...I know its not for everyone

 

[jrh]

Originally Posted by hot883
This is the correct forum for the thread.
BTW, yes the filters do catch alot of the language but not all. Please remember there are children on here and adults that do not need to hear or want to hear the bad language.

Barry
I think you misunderstood. I was actually unable to type harmless words... it just happened to be a very well known website that starts w/ an E and ends with bay. Then when that wouldn't work I tried to say a popular a=u-c=t-i=on website but couldn't type that either.
An example of what happens is ---- and

[hr]
website. See what I mean?

 

[tree]

the rules of the forum is that you can't place a website on here that sells merchandise or contains links to merchandise that would compete with SWF. They are a retail online store after all.
I have a Hamilton Technology 250w MH setup that is also noisy. I am searching for replacement fans but I have a couple other things to try first. First the unit is metal and there does not appear to be any gaskets to dampen the vibration from carrying from the fans to the rest of the unit. The unit also has a glass cover to protect the bulbs. There is nothing to stop the vibration of the glass either. So I am going to try & dampen any vibration before going all out & ordering new fans.
The replacement fans I've found recommended on various forums & here are the Whisper fans and SilenX fans.

 

[tree]

Originally Posted by JRH
Is it the wattage that decides the loudness for the most part? Would a 150 or 175 watt be much quieter?
Forgot to address this question. The wattage will affect how much cubic feet of air (cfm)has to be moved by the fans to keep the bulbs at an operable temperature. The more cfm the noisier the fan is going to be. Some fans at the same cfm are going to be quieter than others

 

[cowfishrule]

what size fans are they?
i might have a solution
just google "windydayzz"
i swear by these fans- i had a homemade canopy and these things were dead freakin silent.

 

[useskaforevil]

you could try replacing the fans if its really that bad. computer fans are dirt cheap and probably free if you go to your local dump. if you feel liek spending $ there are variable sped fans used for overclocking, as long as you monitor temperature theres no reason that wouldnt work.

 

[jrh]

Originally Posted by watson3
This is another reason you will find the retrofits a better fit...I know its not for everyone
What do you mean 'it's not for everyone'
Plus, do retrofits not have any fans? How do they stay cool enough to not burn up?