Metal Halide Lighting and Heat transfer???

[DLANDINO]

Does anyone know if there is a way to determine, prior to getting halide lighting, what the increase in temp would be on the aquarium. I am currently running a 46 gallon reef on power compacts and the heat transfer is minimal. I am afraid that if I decide to go the halide route that I would all of a sudden need a chiller. The price tag on the lights is bad enough.

Also, any wattage suggestions for a 46 gallon aquarium that is 36 in. wide, 22 in deep.


Thanks in advance.

 

[liquidlunch]

I went from (6) T5's with (1) 120mm IceCap fan to
(2) 250w halides and (2) T5's and (2) 120mm IceCap fans. My temp stayed the same @ 78. During the change, I also built a taller canopy and the lights are ~ 8" off the water.
Before I did the change, I really didn't know what the result would be and I even started pricing chillers. With decent ventilation,fans,etc you may be ok.

 

[BrianH]

On my 50 gal, I recently went from 4x96w PC's to 2 150w halides & 2 96w PC and added another fan to my canopy. So far there has been no change in temperature but we have not hit summer yet. I do not expect any major changes because in the end I only increased my wattage by about 100 watts.

 

[DLANDINO]

Thanks Guys,

I do not have a canopy just have the current pc's sitting atop the tank of course separated by an all glass flip lid. Is it safe to assume that the fans that are included in the halide setups are sufficient to cool the lights and ambient heat or are you guys saying that you added additional cooling fans over and above what was included in the light setup. Thanks again.

Dave

 

[BrianH]

The lights that come with the fixture should be sufficient ,especially if you hang the fixture. Then you raise the fixture if it is transferring too much heat to the tank.