Will 9 inches pose a problem?

[Krish]

LOL...Yeah, this title is a bit misleading:lol: Well, first off thanks for all of the replies. I've been thinking back and forth all day, and came to a decision to just go with the dual 175 watt setup. 500 watts total is alot for the Bahamas(LOL) I run central 24/7 and still had to put on the first fan to get the temperature down, now I'm sure I will have to add a few more. I figured with the white bottom, it should reflect up quite a bit of light and the fact that the lights will be sitting lower than I personally wanted, makes me want the less wattage even more. With the 500 watts total, if it is too much and poses a problem, I couldn't cut back, but with the 350 watt total, if I need more, I can always add more lighting in the form of VHO's or something, but I honestly doubt I will. What can't work under those lights (the dual 175's), I guess I just won't attempt to keep. I've got a few things coming up in the near future that will be more important than my tank, so I guess it's getting to the point where I have to draw the line somewhere and make a decision and stick with it. We'll see how it goes and thanks again

 

[spongebob lover]

LOL...Yeah, this title is a bit misleading

talk about inches :lol:

 

[Krish]

talk about inches

:lol: Yeah...That's funny

 

[Krish]

K...Now you'll see what my wife has to deal with I just e-mailed Rob and told him to switch it back to the dual 250's again. Screw it right? Too much light, too little light, 100 degrees below 0, 100 degrees farenheit, frozen fish, cooked fish...All the same. If everyone thinks I'll wish I bought the dual 250's later then I'll listen to you guys who definately know more than I do. I told Rob to charge my card right away so I can't change my mind again. We'll see how it goes. Thanks again for all of the replies and the pm's. So as it stands it will be dual 250 watt PFO metal halide retro kit with 20k XM bulbs Don't try and persuade me anyone to switch to something else cause I'm not switching it AGAIN!!!!

 

[spongebob lover]

LMBO!!! Krish :lol:

 

[mfinn]

I'm sure you will be happy with the 250's. It is my completely uneducated guess, but I would think that you can deal with the heat issue(non issue) with a couple of fans, which you have already planned for.

 

[spongebob lover]

naww don't listen to Finn ... go get both :lol: i know you want to

 

[bc_slc]

you won't regret it. It is the lighting system you will purchase once in your life. You may supplement some day, but you can get away with 250s on most tanks, if/when you decide to upsize.

 

[mfinn]

naww don't listen to Finn ... go get both :lol: i know you want to

Yeah, you could use the 175's on your refugium.

 

[spongebob lover]

Yeah, you could use the 175's on your refugium.

there you go... and you can call it Kentucky Fried Chaeto :lol: .

 

[liveforphysics]

Krish-

The reflector chooses the place the bulb should go. I see a bunch of people with a halide/reflector positioned in a way to be makeing a 2-3ft square of light shineing down on an 18" wide tank... I cant help but think, ok, so about 50% of the light you are makeing you are just tossing away?

Height is definately a function of the reflector and the area in the tank you are trying to light.

I'm trying to say that a properly reflected and properly positioned 175watt halide can easily put more useable light in the tank than a 250watt, or even a 400 for that matter.

Think of the inverse square principal, think of what reflectors you are useing, think about what places you want light in the tank. Then decide the height, and try it. If temp gets out of hand, mount a fan or make your own peltier chiller or something.

 

[Krish]

LOL...Thanks for the replies. By the sounds of it, I think you guys steered me in the right direction. I just hung up from Rob (I called him on his cell to tell him to charge that darn card of mine:lol But yeah...The dual 250's sounds like the way to go and Martin! Don't give me any metal halide refugium ideas

Thanks for the info Luke! I'll take that into consideration when I mount the reflector. Hopefully it will all work out well

 

[Willy]

I wouldnt worry krish, Mine are 9" off the water. First day temp. went up to 84 degrees, solved that with a small fan blowing in the sump area. Now Im at a fairly steady 81..Fan comes on with the lights.

 

[Willy]

I just called the UPS guy and told him Krish wants the 250's GO GET them NOW!!! LOL

 

[Krish]

I wouldnt worry krish, Mine are 9" off the water. First day temp. went up to 84 degrees, solved that with a small fan blowing in the sump area. Now Im at a fairly steady 81..Fan comes on with the lights.

That's comforting Scott...Thanks! Those fans do wonders man...I put one in my stand and shaved off like 3 degrees. The funny thing is, I just ordered from our supplier today 30 fans for the shop! (10) crossflow fans, (10) 3 inch fans and (10) of the 4 inch. We use them "usually" to cool amplifiers in cars, but I'll be using a few for my tank Andrew (ethanriley's) brother bought all of the last set of fans we had come in for his display tank at their pet shop as well as some for some of his costomers and they work great. So I should be set. I just hope it isn't too loud

I just called the UPS guy and told him Krish wants the 250's GO GET them NOW!!! LOL

ROFL! Thanks man...What's another $60 for next day shipping:lol: