finally about to purchas lights!

[ghostrida3]

what creates the most heat on a halide system the ballast or the bulbs themselves? it seems like i can wire the ballast from a remote location to the light to cut down on heat as well. i would just have to figure out a way to keep the lights over the aquarium cool.

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9829161#post9829161 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ghostrida3
what creates the most heat on a halide system the ballast or the bulbs themselves? it seems like i can wire the ballast from a remote location to the light to cut down on heat as well. i would just have to figure out a way to keep the lights over the aquarium cool.

bulbs
the ballast dont affect tank temp they are usually away from the tank so they dont get wet.

 

[ghostrida3]

so u think the 400s are that much hotter than the 250s? sounds like i would end up gettin a chiller either way w/ halides.

 

[GSMguy]

400w are much hotter than 250s i dont know exact number but its not proportionate

if you are worried about heat and can afford it a chiller is a fantastic peice of equipment help the tank keep the temp down on those hot days.

 

[carlso63]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9829219#post9829219 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ghostrida3
so u think the 400s are that much hotter than the 250s? sounds like i would end up gettin a chiller either way w/ halides.

If you go with 250 Halides, you most likely will not need a chiller. Usually, a fan across the top of the water is enough to keep the temp from becoming a problem. I have a 3MH setup; with the MHs on 9hrs a day the max temp climb in my tank is about 2.4 degrees... (from about 75.5 to 77.9) and I do not even use an auxillary fan over the water surface...

If you go with 400 Halides, you will need a chiller. Too much excess heat to disperse without one.

A 125g is relatively shallow (18") compared with a 150, 180 or 210 g; IMO 400s are overkill on a 125 and you run more risk of bleaching your corals / overheating your tank - more so, than any growth advantage you think you may get using 400s over 250s...

 

[ghostrida3]

my 125 is 24" deep

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9829651#post9829651 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ghostrida3
my 125 is 24" deep

250s will be plenty also you can add some vho actinics and run 10ks and get great results

 

[GSMguy]

here is my friends 180 wit 3x250xm 10k and a bunch of VHO

 

[ghostrida3]

yeah i was just thinkin ime just gonna have to run suplemental lighting, MAN!!! more money. hey gsm guy i didnt get the pics of ur friends tank.

 

[GSMguy]

 

[ghostrida3]

yeah that looks great. what do u think about 3 250 10ks, w/ 2 atinic vho bulbs to suplement.

 

[GSMguy]

two 6ft vho and 3x250 would look good

 

[ghostrida3]

and could put clams and sps even in the sand?

 

[ghostrida3]

ive been lookin in the tank of the month section and almost all of them are running the 400s on the 24" deep tanks.

 

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9829862#post9829862 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ghostrida3
and could put clams and sps even in the sand?

yes

 

[GSMguy]

250s penetrate beyond 24 inches but i would say 30 inch tanks need 400w

 

[ghostrida3]

alriight ille roll w/ that. hopefully knowbody posts anything to the contrary and i can make this purchase w/ a good conscience. thanks. ille post some pics once everything gets in.

 

[aninjaatemyshoe]

3x 250W on a 125 gallon tank, you will not need any more light to grow anything. VHO supplement would help color up your corals and you might like the effect, but it won't be necessary to keep anything.