Metal Halide

[azaintcold]

I have a 150 gallon I'm setting up right now and I'm going to try the reef world out. I am going to build a custom canopy for the top to house some MH lighting. I have chose to go with dual 400W MH lights w/ 10K bulbs as well as two moonlights. I'm also going to put two 4 inch fans on the sides.
3 questions:
1. Is this a good setup, or is there something else I should consider?
2. How high should the MH lights be from the tank surface?
3. With the two fans, should I point one in and one out to get some good cool
air flowing? I want to keep it as cool as possible since I live in the Phoenix, AZ valley.
Thanks!

 

[seasalt101]

i'm pretty sure you would want to aim both fans at the water, to help with evaporation you and me are in the same boat, i also setting up a 150 reef seen pictures of your set-up it's beautiful, my lights will be here tuesday, i have already upgraded before i even installed the other lights they are still in the box, save those for another big tank down the road i am going with 1134 total watts for mine 3 250's 20000k then some actinics and moonlights make up the rest of the wattage (thats the way i understand it anyway) it sounds like you are going the right direction anyway keep us posted and good luck tobin :happyfish

 

[katz]

1. Is this a good setup, or is there something else I should consider?
I would go with 3 x 400 with 14k if you are not having supplemental lighting. Moonlights are just for night time viewing.
2. How high should the MH lights be from the tank surface?
12 inches is a good rule of thumb.
3. With the two fans, should I point one in and one out to get some good cool
air flowing? I want to keep it as cool as possible since I live in the Phoenix, AZ valley.
I would add two more fans. I would put them on the top of the canopy.
I am assuming that since you live in Arizona and in the valley that you have airconditioning. If you do then you should have no problems with heat issues.
Katz

 

[acrylic51]

How long is the tank? How high are you building your canopy? You are going to have heat issues with 400W MH's......way overkill, and waste of electricity as well.

 

[mandarin w]

Originally Posted by azaintcold
I have a 150 gallon I'm setting up right now and I'm going to try the reef world out. I am going to build a custom canopy for the top to house some MH lighting. I have chose to go with dual 400W MH lights w/ 10K bulbs as well as two moonlights. I'm also going to put two 4 inch fans on the sides.
3 questions:
1. Is this a good setup, or is there something else I should consider?
If the tank is only about 24inches deep. I would go with 250watt MH. 400watts are overkill. and waste of elelctricity. Also if you are not going to use suplumental lighting then I would suggest 12K - 14K for your lighting.
2. How high should the MH lights be from the tank surface?
As stated about 12 inches would be good.
3. With the two fans, should I point one in and one out to get some good cool
air flowing? I want to keep it as cool as possible since I live in the Phoenix,
AZ valley.
I would suggest you useing at least 4 fans. All should blow in. Make sure the back of the canopy is open, and the top is vented. This will allow the fans pushing the cool air in, the push the warm air out. Make sure the fans are possitions to blow across under the lights, so they can actually push the heat of the lights.
Thanks!

I hope this helps.

 

[azaintcold]

Originally Posted by acrylic51
How long is the tank? How high are you building your canopy? You are going to have heat issues with 400W MH's......way overkill, and waste of electricity as well.

6 FOOT long. The height of the canopy was determined by the height I needed the lights off the surface. I guess maybe 14-16 inches. Thanks for the advice on the 400 watts. I obtained most of my advice from various light company web sites, and it looks like they were trying to oversell me.
So would 2 250 w lights with 14k work well?
:help:

 

[azaintcold]

bump

 

[acrylic51]

250's would be plenty......If you want knowledge on lighting I wouldn't be talking to light companies and such....Do a search for Sanjay light studies and others....He's probably spent more time on the topic than these major companies......
As far as bulb kelvin temp it's more a personal choice I guess.....Really depends what you want....Some like a bluier look than others.....If you want a blue look something in the 12 - 20k range would work.....I personally like a crisp white, and the XM's are super bright not leaning towards the blue side of things.....I've been experimenting with 12k, and might take a peak at the BlueLine SW MH's as well....they are suppose to be a true 10k with a hint of blue.....I've gotten super growth with the 10k XM's, but looking for a little blue, so just trying to find the medium I'm looking for......I have noticed that with the 10k's my ca and alk consumption was mad as opposed to running the 12k's!!!!! :thinking:

 

[azaintcold]

Acrylic, I like the blue-er look. Should I look into VHO or is metal hylide the way to go? I need to think of heat too because it gets hot where I am. Plus the power bill gets high enough during the summer without this issue, so energy is a concern. I know it a very opinionated issue, but any advice would be kindly accepted. Thanks. ***)

 

[mandarin w]

One option is to use 3x 250 MH, The reason for 3 is because a typical MH bulb has a 2x2foot coverage. And with a sixfoot tank you have 3 2x2foot sections. You may consider useing 10K bulbs for the crisp look and accent them with VHO's or T-5's (T-5 are cheaper on electricity and run cooler) Use these to run as your actinics, These use a actinic blue blue. This will add a touch of blue that looks more natural. And you will still get the outstanding growth from the 10K MH.