MH question...

[nick17]

I have a 400 watt MH DIY kit I got from a local reefer.. the bulbs are pretty much dead (as he tells me) and just wondering what are some good bulbs?
I heard some 250 watt MH bulbs are better than some 400 watt MH??
I was just wondering should I go with a 250 or a 400 watt bulb? and what Kelvin? I plan on keeping softies, lps, some sps and 1 maxima..
The tank is 29gal and 18" deep..
Thanks,
-Nick

 

[bang guy]

If it's your sole source of light (I would hope so ) I would suggest a 20,000K. 400 is definately overkill but if you can keep the water cool that'll be really sweet.

 

[nick17]

Actually, I am having some sort of water problems.. I asked about a chiller on here about a week ago, and got no replies..
So, I was just thinking of going to get a IceProbe chiller in a few months..
Yes this is my only source of light.. I got just the fixture and ballast for $100.. and the bulb is old he says, so I'm not even going to turn it on until I have a new bulb..
Would you recommend the XM bulb? I think it looks nice and it's a good price..
Should I get 250 watt bulb or 400?
-Nick

 

[bang guy]

Is the ballast a multi-tap? Most 400 watt ballasts can only fire 400 watt bulbs. If it'll light a 250 that's the way I would go. A few here would go the 400 route and that's fine too. It's just the temp thing.

 

[nick17]

Yes it's multi-tap ballast..
It's a older balast and fixture.. but he also gave me a few corals and some helpful information..
But yeah, it's a multi-tap ballast. Do I just put a 250watt bulb in there? Or is there some kind of adjusting I need to do? I'm not much of a electrician but I know some basic things.
-Nick

 

[nick17]

BangGuy, or anyone else do you know anything about IceProbe chillers? And how they work?
Thanks,
-Nick

 

[nick17]

Then, what's a good way to pull down the water 4-5* and still not pay $300? I have a portable fan that blows on the tank 24hrs a day and it still heat's up some.
The house is 80* at all times.. and sometimes the heat outside does get into the upper 90's..
Any suggestions on how to pull the water down a few degrees?
Thanks,
-Nick

 

[bang guy]

A sump perhaps?

 

[nick17]

No sump.. but working on a fuge and canopy in the near future.. have to recoupe from this loss.. and HOPEFULLY things will be back to normal..
Thanks,
-Nick

 

[bang guy]

A fan blowing across the water surface will increase evap and cool the tank several degrees. In a small tank you'll have to be diligent about topoff though.

 

[nick17]

Alright.. I'll try that.. I have a fan blowing on high 24/7 but it's about 3 feet away from tank.. and will move it closer to the top of the tank..
-Nick

 

[jarvis]

400 watts over a 29