Cost of 2x250W Metal Halide??

[vmacisback]

Anyone have any idea the cost roughly of running 2x250W Metal Halide on a reef would be? Trying to see what the increase would be from my current setup with AI's. I know its a big jump but I cant say Im all that happy with the growth and colors in my AI LED's tank.

Also will 2 250w metal halides be enough to support a 225g sps dominant tank? The tank has 2 large openings on the top and a 7-8" eurobrace throgh the middle, prob will have some reef brite strips for supplement.

 

[vmacisback]

Forgot to mention dimensions are 72x24x30 Leemar

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

The math is very easy. Electricity is sold in kwh, kilowatt hours. So we need to determine how many kwh your rig will use.

"250w" is basically a naming convention, a given lamp and ballast combination will likely use considerably more power than that. If you have a way to measure power consumption you can get exact numbers, but adding 10 - 20% is probably roughly correct. So, let's say 300w each, which is .3 kw each, or .6kw.

Determine your photoperiod, in hours. Let's assume 10 hours. So, each day, the rig will consume 6kwh.

Look up your cost per kwh on a power bill, and multiply times 6 kwh. For instance, if you pay 10 cents per kwh, your cost per day would be 60 cents.

It's really hard to answer your other question because coral growth and coloration depends on a ton of factors other than light - flow, nutrient levels, and so on. Plus, there can be HUGE variations between various 250w MH rigs in terms of intensity, color, and spread. Without being intimately familiar with your tank we probably can't tell you what your results will be like if you make this change.

 

[DrBegalke]

Use this:

http://www.reefcentral.com/index.php/tank-electrical

 

[acasp4]

mdefo25 is selling a huge 250watt package on the CMAS forum. Its a KILLER deal for much your getting and the name brands. heres the link

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2103602

 

[James77]

"250w" is basically a naming convention, a given lamp and ballast combination will likely use considerably more power than that. If you have a way to measure power consumption you can get exact numbers, but adding 10 - 20% is probably roughly correct. So, let's say 300w each, which is .3 kw each, or .6kw.

Most electronic ballasts use pretty close to 250 watts. Magnetics will use over 300 plus watts when running. According to Sanjay, the Icecap electronics draw no more than the mid 250's(older ballast) or mid 260's)newer with many configurations.

The magnetic HQI/M80 will draw anywhere from 300-375 watts depending on the bulb. The only way to be sure of exactly what a ballast draws with a bulb is with a watt meter.

 

[James77]

I know its a big jump but I cant say Im all that happy with the growth and colors in my AI LED's tank.
.

Its not that big of a jump. Running 2 electronic 250 watt halides for 8 hours would cost me about $15 a month. Running 4 AI Sols for 8 hours would cost me about $9 a month, a whole $6 more. Obviously running times, intensity, dimming, or electric rates would affect that.

My electric rate is about $.12/kwh

 

[tkeracer619]

IMO you would want to go with 2x400w on a lumenarc reflector.

 

[flyhigh123]

u need good reflectors to only have 2 MH for a 6 foot. If you don't u will get shadows....