Krish
RF STAFF
Just wondering if I would have any problems running 500 watt metal halides over my 75 gal if they are only suspended 9 inches above the water?
Will 9 inches pose a problem?
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Krish
RF STAFF
I just found this on Premium Aquatics website so I guess it would be fine unless someone has some more info. Seeing this is almost minimum height, should I swap to the 350 watt metal halides or just stick with the 500 watt? Metal halides are all new to me so I'm not sure what to expect...
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Are you talking about 2-250w halides? My 400w are +12" above the waterline, you may want to go 10". The only real way to find out is to try. HTH
Krish
RF STAFF
Yeah... (2) 250w. Here's the problem...It seems like you have to find time these days to do things yourself because when you hire someone to do it, they do their own thing! The guy who I had re-make my canopy (because i didn't have the time), didn't build it as high as I told him to so I'm stuck with a 9 inch mounting surface above my water. So 9 inches is the max height I can go...
OK, I have 2 of the same bulbs over my 80 at about the same height as you. I haven't had any problems. If you do run into problems, just adjust your photoperiod to compensate.
The Apprentice
Well-known member
Krish do you have a chiller?
Krish witrh my 75 gallon Tank My PFO fixture is 5" above the water line and I have 2 each 250 watt Metal Halides with VHO Actinic support are your lights 500 watt each?
If so you are going to need a 1/3 HP chiller.
Krish witrh my 75 gallon Tank My PFO fixture is 5" above the water line and I have 2 each 250 watt Metal Halides with VHO Actinic support are your lights 500 watt each?
If so you are going to need a 1/3 HP chiller.
krish75 said:
Krish
RF STAFF
Thanks Charlie...When you say problems do you mean heat?
Thanks Jeff...5 inches is close! No , it's not 500watt bulbs. It's (2) 250 watt bulbs that equal to 500 watt, but I have the option to change it to (2) 175 watt if I want because I'm not having them shipped out until Monday.
krish75 said:
Yep.
How deep is your tank Krish?
Krish
RF STAFF
My tank is a standard All-glass aquarium so it is 18 tall (48x18x20) I had planned on the dual 175 watt, but decided to go with the dual 250 watt, but now with the height of the canopy, I'm not sure...
I think you'd be alright with the 175's, being that it is only 18" deep, what it would run down to is personal preference.
I have always knida gone aginst the grain if you know what I mean. My 250s are aprox 3 inches away from water line in a 20 inch tall 125 gallon. I do not run a chiller but your climate might change that, also I have a little more water volume. I do however direct stromg flow either up at the bulb or right under it, it shimmeres the water so it is not just beating down on the corals . Also I have heard a piece of screen between the bulb and water will work to break up the light till all of your corals get adjusted.
Krish
RF STAFF
Thanks Charlie...I'm thinking I will go with the dual 175's because that 9 inch height is worrying me a bit. I was fine with the dual 250's when I thought I would be mounting them 12 inches up, but now tI think I will change it.
Krish
RF STAFF
Thanks! Yeah...The climate is a bit hot here even running central air 24/7. I will be installing fans in the canopy to help with heat, so I'll see how it goes...Nonetheless, I think I will swap for the dual 175's...Atleast, that's where I'm leaning towards.
mfinn
Surgeonfish
Kirsh, keep the 250's. I have my 250 watt bulb in my 40gallon 9" above the water and the 3x250watt in my 180 gallon 9" above the water.
Before you start thinking about needing a chiller because of the extra heat the bulbs will produce, see what your fans will do.
Before you start thinking about needing a chiller because of the extra heat the bulbs will produce, see what your fans will do.
wrightme43
Well-known member
9" is fine, I have seen them closer.
spongebob lover
flea whisperer
i think you're fine too.
hey my lights are almost in the water and it's been like this for 2 years :lol:
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hey my lights are almost in the water and it's been like this for 2 years :lol:
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ethanriley
Well-known member
Krish
Go with the 250's I think you will appreciate the light intensity much more and you can always add another fan. I think you and I are doomed to get chillers anyhow it is going to be cheaper than running our a/c 24 hours a day to keep our tanks cool LOL.
Go with the 250's I think you will appreciate the light intensity much more and you can always add another fan. I think you and I are doomed to get chillers anyhow it is going to be cheaper than running our a/c 24 hours a day to keep our tanks cool LOL.
ethanriley
Well-known member
By the way when I saw the title of the thread I thought it should have been in the water fountain instead LOL
