Mh Questions

[jupoc911]

Im thinkiing of upgrading my lighting system from 265 watts of pc lighting to 2 150 watt HQI bulbs. As of now I lose a gallon of water a day in my 55. Should I expect the same evaporaton with the new lights or more? thank you.

 

[sawsman]

I would expect you to have more evaporation but cant guess as to how much.

 

[jupoc911]

do you think i will get evaporation to the point where it will cause large fluctuations in specific gravity if i miss a day of topping off?

 

[speg]

Originally Posted by Jupoc911
do you think i will get evaporation to the point where it will cause large fluctuations in specific gravity if i miss a day of topping off?
You never wanna miss even a day of topoffs anyways. As a fish keeper thats one of the most important jobs you have.

 

[sawsman]

No. a small fan blowing across the water surface can help but I think you will be just fine. I would be more concerned with temperature fluccuation from lights off to midday.
-sawsman

 

[murph145]

i purchased an auto top off system for my tank for that reason to keep the SG constant to not stress my corals and fish..... works good refills with fresh RO/DI water
and then as far as the heat issue if they are in the open not under a canopy a fan would probably sufice under a canopy ull need a chiller .... i run a chiller on mine or my tank would melt after the 8 hours

 

[jupoc911]

Well i decided to go with the coralife aqualight Pro. I can get it real cheap from a friend. It includes 2 150 watt HQI 10k bulbs and 2 96 watt pc acitnics. I will be hanging the system 10 - 12 inches from the top od the tank. I have no canopy and the top is open. Is it likely that I will have high temperatures?

 

[sawsman]

I have the exact same lighting unit and it is also over a 55. mine is 7" above the water and is open topped. my temp tops out at 80-81 f during the day and a low of 77 during the night. lighting duration of MH's is 9.5 hrs a day. works great.
-sawsman

 

[sawsman]

I might add it evaporates exactly 1/2 gallon a day.

 

[jupoc911]

i keep my temp stable at 80-81 to begin with. Does this mean the temp is going to raise to 85 or should it stay stable at 80-81?

 

[murph145]

put a fan blowing across the water should be fine

 

[jupoc911]

How much evaporation would the fan cause? I have no room for any other tanks and am unsure how to get a 5 gallon aquadose above my tank. a full 5 gallon jug of water will have to weight atleast 40 pounds. I am very limited on room. With out the auto top off I can only add water once a day when I get home from work. I would want the sg to raise before I have a chance to fill the tank back up. Any ideas?

 

[sawsman]

If you are going to keep this pendant 12" above the water surface then I dont think that your temp will raise more than 1-2 degrees. If it does then I would install a small fan to help. As far as your evaporation I would not expect it to be more than 1/2 gal more than you have now. The only real way to find out exactly is to do it and be prepared to make any nessesary adjustment. sometimes its hard to tell until you actually do it. I will say that it surprises me though that you are evaporating 1 gal per day without MH. Again, my tank evaporates 1/2 gal per day with MH.

Every tank is different though.
The Coralife aqualight pro is a very good setup in my opinion. You say you got it for cheap, how cheap if I may ask? I paid over $700 for mine(brand new)!
-sawsman

 

[jupoc911]

300.00 used!!!! :joy:

 

[sawsman]

Good deal! I think you will like it.