MH Light makes temp rise
- Thread starter steve223
- Start date
fishieness
Active Member
for most of the items in the aquarium trade, 84 is like the max that is okay. But it usualy isnt super to keep them at that for a very long time. try turning your heater down. Cooling down the room with an AC, or pointing a small fan at the surface of your tank. It will cause a lot more evaporation and when the liquid form of water forms into a gas, it takes kinetic energy along with it (heat). however, you will notice a very large change in the amount of evaporation. You can also raise your MHs further off of the tank.
washowi
Member
I will pass on a tip I got from Walt Smith. Look him up if you are not familiar with him or his name. Anyway, he told me ALL of his corals come from water of around 74 to 76 degrees. And that all tanks should be kept at 78 degrees or less.
Now that I have said that, I am sure I will get blasted, and hear BS and I run tanks at 82 degrees, etc. But I keep mine at 78 and max's out at 80 during the day. Tank never looked better and aglea growth is minimal. Best thing I did.
Fish - they can take it. to mid 80's at best.
I think you should look at trying to reduce the heat. A chiller is one solution. The cheap way for me was putting a cheap $6 clip fan I got at Target over my sump. That dropped the temp 3 degrees in my tank. (I have 2-400w MH and 2-135w PC's).
Let the blasting begin, but mid 80's in my opinion is no good. for corals or fish. Look at the bleaching of corals worldwide. Temperature rises and coral do not mix.
Todd
Now that I have said that, I am sure I will get blasted, and hear BS and I run tanks at 82 degrees, etc. But I keep mine at 78 and max's out at 80 during the day. Tank never looked better and aglea growth is minimal. Best thing I did.
Fish - they can take it. to mid 80's at best.
I think you should look at trying to reduce the heat. A chiller is one solution. The cheap way for me was putting a cheap $6 clip fan I got at Target over my sump. That dropped the temp 3 degrees in my tank. (I have 2-400w MH and 2-135w PC's).
Let the blasting begin, but mid 80's in my opinion is no good. for corals or fish. Look at the bleaching of corals worldwide. Temperature rises and coral do not mix.
Todd
fishieness
Active Member
Originally Posted by washowi
Let the blasting begin, but mid 80's in my opinion is no good. for corals or fish. Look at the bleaching of corals worldwide. Temperature rises and coral do not mix.
Todd
i dont think there will be too much bashing?! why the heck would there? What you said was completly true. and people do keep their tanks at around 80-82, but they cant bash you if what you ahve is working for you. I kepe my 3 tanks at the exact same temp as you and everything is fine.
Let the blasting begin, but mid 80's in my opinion is no good. for corals or fish. Look at the bleaching of corals worldwide. Temperature rises and coral do not mix.
Todd
i dont think there will be too much bashing?! why the heck would there? What you said was completly true. and people do keep their tanks at around 80-82, but they cant bash you if what you ahve is working for you. I kepe my 3 tanks at the exact same temp as you and everything is fine.
agent707
Member
One thing to take note of. I have seen a lot of MH setups where there was NOTHING inbetween the bulb and the water. Very bad idea. You need at minimum a small piece of tempered glass as a "heat shield" when using those bulbs... for Anything.
I've even seen factory retail setups like this...
[hr]
bulbs. I'd never waste my money on such crap.
I've even seen factory retail setups like this...
[hr]
bulbs. I'd never waste my money on such crap.
reefnut
Active Member
Originally Posted by Agent707
One thing to take note of. I have seen a lot of MH setups where there was NOTHING inbetween the bulb and the water. Very bad idea. You need at minimum a small piece of tempered glass as a "heat shield" when using those bulbs... for Anything.
I've even seen factory retail setups like this...
[hr]
bulbs. I'd never waste my money on such crap.
I'd have to disagree... unless you are running double ended bulbs. Single ended bulbs do not "need" a shield.
One thing to take note of. I have seen a lot of MH setups where there was NOTHING inbetween the bulb and the water. Very bad idea. You need at minimum a small piece of tempered glass as a "heat shield" when using those bulbs... for Anything.
I've even seen factory retail setups like this...
[hr]
bulbs. I'd never waste my money on such crap.
I'd have to disagree... unless you are running double ended bulbs. Single ended bulbs do not "need" a shield.
bang guy
Moderator
Originally Posted by steve223
What coral or fish like 82 to 84?
Anything from the Red Sea Reefs will thrive in those temperatures.
Examples include Montipira digitata, Montipora capricornius, Red Sea Xenia, Scrolling Hammer, Green Frogspawn, etc.
I'd avoid Acropora above 80F but some can do OK. If you try Acro make sure you have a LOT of waterflow at the higher temperatures or they will suffocate.
What coral or fish like 82 to 84?
Anything from the Red Sea Reefs will thrive in those temperatures.
Examples include Montipira digitata, Montipora capricornius, Red Sea Xenia, Scrolling Hammer, Green Frogspawn, etc.
I'd avoid Acropora above 80F but some can do OK. If you try Acro make sure you have a LOT of waterflow at the higher temperatures or they will suffocate.
J
jupoc911
Guest
The high water temp in honduras in the very late of summer can reach 88 degrees. With acclimation I believe any coral can survive the water temp as long as every other need is met.
misfit
Active Member
Originally Posted by washowi
I will pass on a tip I got from Walt Smith. Look him up if you are not familiar with him or his name. Anyway, he told me ALL of his corals come from water of around 74 to 76 degrees. And that all tanks should be kept at 78 degrees or less.
Now that I have said that, I am sure I will get blasted, and hear BS and I run tanks at 82 degrees, etc. But I keep mine at 78 and max's out at 80 during the day. Tank never looked better and aglea growth is minimal. Best thing I did.
Fish - they can take it. to mid 80's at best.
I think you should look at trying to reduce the heat. A chiller is one solution. The cheap way for me was putting a cheap $6 clip fan I got at Target over my sump. That dropped the temp 3 degrees in my tank. (I have 2-400w MH and 2-135w PC's).
Let the blasting begin, but mid 80's in my opinion is no good. for corals or fish. Look at the bleaching of corals worldwide. Temperature rises and coral do not mix.
Todd
I agree with you ,I keep my tank 78-80 tops and all is good. I have one tang that stresses big time if the temp goes over 80 at all.You shouldnt be bashed for true statments
I will pass on a tip I got from Walt Smith. Look him up if you are not familiar with him or his name. Anyway, he told me ALL of his corals come from water of around 74 to 76 degrees. And that all tanks should be kept at 78 degrees or less.
Now that I have said that, I am sure I will get blasted, and hear BS and I run tanks at 82 degrees, etc. But I keep mine at 78 and max's out at 80 during the day. Tank never looked better and aglea growth is minimal. Best thing I did.
Fish - they can take it. to mid 80's at best.
I think you should look at trying to reduce the heat. A chiller is one solution. The cheap way for me was putting a cheap $6 clip fan I got at Target over my sump. That dropped the temp 3 degrees in my tank. (I have 2-400w MH and 2-135w PC's).
Let the blasting begin, but mid 80's in my opinion is no good. for corals or fish. Look at the bleaching of corals worldwide. Temperature rises and coral do not mix.
Todd
I agree with you ,I keep my tank 78-80 tops and all is good. I have one tang that stresses big time if the temp goes over 80 at all.You shouldnt be bashed for true statments
washowi
Member
Let's get back to the glass shield. You most certainly do need one. Tempered, with UV protection. Which I think tempered gives you. You can not use MH without that. You will burn the corals. Also single ended without glass shield = very bad idea. I am not sure that the glass bulb has UV protection, but if you get a water splash on that f-ing 1000 degree bulb, BANG!! glass all in your aquarium. Try and clean that up!
My 3 cents worth.
78 degrees all the time. best temerature.
Todd
My 3 cents worth.
78 degrees all the time. best temerature.
Todd
J
jupoc911
Guest
78 degrees imo is not the best temperature. If you read through borneman's book you will be shocked to see that the average reef temp is 82 degrees.
bang guy
Moderator
Originally Posted by Jupoc911
78 degrees imo is not the best temperature. If you read through borneman's book you will be shocked to see that the average reef temp is 82 degrees.
Make sure you qualify that - "Average Tropical Reef Temperature". There are many many temperate reefs some where the temp rarely climbs above 60F
78 degrees imo is not the best temperature. If you read through borneman's book you will be shocked to see that the average reef temp is 82 degrees.
Make sure you qualify that - "Average Tropical Reef Temperature". There are many many temperate reefs some where the temp rarely climbs above 60F
bang guy
Moderator
Originally Posted by slgcmg
I have a little fan that blows directly on my 400W MH bulb. It does not get hot. I have no protection between the bulb and water but there is about an 8 inch seperation, My corals look great. No burning or nothing.
Point the fan at the water instead of the bulb. Cooling a MH bulb does not change the temperature of the water and makes the bulb run less efficiently.
I have a little fan that blows directly on my 400W MH bulb. It does not get hot. I have no protection between the bulb and water but there is about an 8 inch seperation, My corals look great. No burning or nothing.
Point the fan at the water instead of the bulb. Cooling a MH bulb does not change the temperature of the water and makes the bulb run less efficiently.