lighting the 1000's

[Deuce67]

They have a subpanel. Problem is its at the other end of the basement and the basement is finished. Unless they wanna cut some drywall out to run a new line, 400W is the max which is more than enough.

 

[calvin415]

I don't think 400's will cut it, but maybe we can divide the load up between the two circuits...

 

[reefkoi]

you know I think you could maybe do 1 1000 watter. raise it up and it may cover well.
just a thought then if its noy enough add 1 more.
I think 2 good 400's would work also but if it doesn't then your out that money so its a tough call.

 

[calvin415]

Yeah, I don't want to have to shell out more money, I'd rather just jump on up. Scott looked at it and didn't think 400's would be enough either... I PM'd you Chris, but I'll add it here... How hot do they get? I've got a cross brace so I'd either have to have the light way up (new light rack) or I'd have to go to 2 to keep from melting the support. LMK your thoughts.

 

[reefkoi]

Like I said in my PM, I forgot about the brace and these things do get hot! My chiller has no problem keeping up but 1000 watts of anything is going to be hot.
If we lived in a perfect world you could have built the tank with a eurobrace and got away with 1-1000 watt bulb and everything would be great.
Who knew though?
For now though I say check these out, feel the heat, see the light spread and color and then decide.

Honestly I know 1000 watts on a reef tank is very very rare. But does that mean nobody wants to try anything new? 400 watters were very rare 10 years ago. If you had mentioned 400 watters on a 125 10 years ago people would laugh at you. But it works.
Hell a 110 watt VHO was the hot ticket when I got into this hobby.
I think the 1000's are going to get more common.

I read books and articles that state "it's nearly impossible to overlight your tank"

So that's why I did it.
Reefermadness uses all the same components I now have. I consulted with Kris Wray about this before starting.
They have some of the nicest looking corals on the net and then when people get the corals home and they adjust to 250 watt bulbs they turn into an average looking coral. Why? Because we don't hit our tanks with enough light I believe.

It's going to be an experiment, I will be having you all over here in September at the meeting and those of you that have seen my tank can see for yourself if it was a good or bad move.

Chris

 

[racer69]

Sounds like a good experiment Chris. I am looking forward to seeing the light spread with just three bulbs.

 

[reefkoi]

You'll be amazed, they spread wider than the 2 -250s per hole did.
I think its the lumenarc 3, they are much wider than the smaller stealths so it spreads great

 

[reefkoi]

well they are all on now, this photo makes it look pretty blue, but anyway heres the shot.
They are bright but not as bright as you'd think. I think it will be perfect and i don't see any reason I'll be losing anything

[/IMG]

 

[racer69]

They will get brighter in a couple of weeks after they burn in. I personally thing they look awsome.

 

[LarryW]

sweet.....

 

[calvin415]

Went and looked at it tonight and I have to say, as cool as this setup was with the 6 250's, these 1000 watters are the sweetest thing I've ever seen! In fact I'm calling Scott in the morning to order a pair for the 225. UNBELIEVABLE COLOR AND BRIGHTNESS!!!

 

[Thurge]

The power company must love ya'll.

 

[ReefJerk]

That is sweet! I love how the shadows hit the sandbed. Looks like a snapshot of a tidepool. I can't wait to see that in person.

What do you think that will add to your light bill, maybe 20-30 bucks a month? Even if it were an extra $100, that would be worth it to me. My accountant(read: wife) only counts in C-Notes, lucky me

 

[Deuce67]

From Chris old existing (6) 250W to (3) 1000W will add approximately $32 a month at .12 a KW. I think thats what Mountain View Electric charges. Still not bad but that doesnt include the 2HP chiller consumption so I would say around $50 a month give or take a few bucks. Were just lucky to live in a state that still have a fairly reasonable electrical rate.

 

[reefkoi]

Thanks Russ, that's not too bad. I really don't know about my elec. bill, I could buy a nice new car for what the payment is per month. If I lived in California it'd be $1K a month I think.
Cliff, anything less than a benjamin is change and not worth getting excited over right?

 

[ReefJerk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10267965#post10267965 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefkoi
...Cliff, anything less than a benjamin is change and not worth getting excited over right?

That's the way SHE counts. Anything $100 and over, she starts telling me what bill she has to pay. But, as long as the lights stay on, I really could care less what she does with my money. She had my son and lays in my bed every night. That's got to be worth something, hunh?

 

[reefkoi]

Yeah Cliff, It sounds like you have it good.
You forgot to add that she lets you have lots of water in the house!

 

[lfduty]

The tank looks good Im going to try and get Kendra to let me put 1000w on the 150g when I get it from Keri2000 Or i will put them on and tell her that they are the same old light's and the tanks not as deep

 

[TikiDan]

I am jealous! I just upgraded to 2 250watt fixtures and am dreading this months power bill. Although, I still have to say one thing about living in California, the pros outweigh the cons.

 

[Caleb Kruse]

Lfduty, why would you put a 1000w on a 150g?