Heat Produced by MH Bulbs

[BlakDuc]

I have the sump fan on all of the time now. When I first started the tank, it was on the same timer as the light fan, but I noticed that when the lights and fans went off, the temp started to rise. So I put the sump fan on all of the time and now my temp stays between around 78.5-80. I can handle a 2* swing and not be worried about it. I also heard somewhere that a small swing is good for the tank. 2-3* seems like a nice little swing.

 

[SlowCobra]

Joel I know it doesn't work great for paying members either, but it is much less hit and miss with a paid account. If I want to search for something I usually ask Broke1 to do it for me. As a supporter he is usually able to achieve whatever it is I am looking for.

 

[Poppy828]

Hmmmm...guess I have a lot more searching/reading to do then...

 

[glassbox-design]

if you drop down to 250's you'll be reducing the heat by ~300 watts (use a killawatt to be sure)...calculate that to btu's and room volume and you should be able to estimate the "cooling" effect.

to get you started, the difference of 300w= 17.060709 btu/minute

500w= 28.434514 btu/min
800w= 45.495223 btu/min

 

[ppurcell]

Here is a link to some good info on 250 performance. Still looking for the article on 400's.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/jb/index.php

 

[ppurcell]

Here are the articles. It talks about how much light the corals actually can use. I haven't read them yet, so don't shoot the messenger if the info isn't exactly applicable.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/3/aafeature1
http://advancedaquarist.com/issues/july2004/feature.htm

 

[Poppy828]

Thanks for that info ppurcell. Great info.

So this is the plan and in action as we speak...

Ordered (2) 250w Coralvue Ballasts with (2) 250w 12k Reeflux bulbs.

Returning (2) 400w Coralvue ballasts to Premium once the other ballasts arrive. Have RMA already

So I have (1) 400w 12k reeflux with 4 days burn time (8 hours a day) (1) 12k 400w Reeflux with 3 months on it and (1) 400w 10k XM with 3 months on it for sale. All SE bulbs.

Still have the 400w Dual Ballast also. If Joel decides he does not want the Ballast (think he said he wanted different bulbs than what I have) I will do a package deal on all 3 bulbs and ballasts. Or can sell seperate also.

Will do a seperate post for these items.

Thanks for all the good links ppurcell. Thanks to all the others that chimed in as well.

Man this hobby is fun isn't it???????

 

[ostrow]

I am reminded that I have not followed my lighting plan. I had gone lights out for 48hrs once a month for several months. I need to do that again.