MH power bill???

[blakeorme]

I'm considering whether going with T5 (ATI powermodule 8bulb or 10) or going with 2 metal halide pendants. x2 250 20k's. They would be over a 150gal. 48x30x24 rimless. I would like to have some lower light areas which was a concern with the powermodule. However, what would be the cost difference on a monthly power bill between the 2 lighting ideas?

 

[bj32482]

depends on your $per watt charge...look at your power bill

 

[quack]

they dump a lot of heat . . . into the tank and the house!$$$

 

[J. Montgomery]

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/tank_elec_calc.php

 

[blakeorme]

dumb question... It's that easy. Watts translate to cost. MH or T5. So 500 watts of MH lighting cost the same per month as a MH 500 watt setup?

 

[greenmonkey51]

Your gonna be pretty close in energy usage with each one. Your looking at around 430wts for 8 T5's, add 108wt for 10 T5's.

 

[m2434]

I'm not sure what the watts are on the ATI, but the 2x250 MHs would be Similar to 10x50W lightbulbs :lol:

 

[blakeorme]

Has anybody tried a single 400watt MH on this size tank...?

 

[J. Montgomery]

Expect a metal halide bulb to give you a roughly 2' square of coverage. Lighting a 4' long tank with a single MH will only illuminate ~1/2 of the tank.

 

[SMOOTHIE]

Tank is 2ft deep. Depends on what you want to grow. 2 175's for all lps, softies and most sps if placed towards the top would work and not be too bad with electronic ballasts. If you wanted to upgrade later go ahead and spend a few extra bucks on the 250w. Nothing beats the shimmer of a halide bulb

 

[Jova]

Does it really matter? If you need that kind of light on your tank, then that's what you need, and you're probably going to do it no matter what the bill is anyways right?

 

[blakeorme]

True... Maybe just trying to convience myself that I am fiscally responsible. I look back at the intial budget I had for the tank. SHould have known better. Everything is a "must have." Including, the faucet I broke installing the RO/DI filter, the dremel tool, the new skimmer, all those pretty sched. 80 Union ball valves... It never ends.
thanks for the input.

 

[canelita]

you'll probabky want to go with halides on a 150, I would do 2x 250 hqi's.

 

[ticocuban]

Most people include the use of a chiller with MH...include that in your cost comparison

I do not use a chiller or heater and I use T5s...consistent 78-80 degrees in my tank

 

[abulgin]

I don't use a chiller and I have 2x250W MH. A fe fans blowing across the top of the tank is sufficient for me.

 

[rkelman]

I have 2x 250wmh and no chiller. No fans either actually. Of course I'm in Ontario, Canada not Arizona or something

 

[blakeorme]

My tank is rimless and sits at around 75deg. with pumps(sump/closed loop), and skimmer running. Will x2 250watt MH pendants raise the temp that much that I would need a chiller. That is definitely not in the intial budget.

 

[DetectiveTofu]

Hook up the metal halides and see what happens, before stocking your tank. If you see any temperature problems, just go ahead and buy two 10" or fans from Walgreens, and slip them onto the side of the tank. Hook them up to a Ranco Temperature controller, or something similar, and you're golden. Just be ready to top off.

 

[m2434]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13575022#post13575022 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ticocuban
Most people include the use of a chiller with MH...include that in your cost comparison

I do not use a chiller or heater and I use T5s...consistent 78-80 degrees in my tank

I've never used a chiller with MHs, fans blowing across the top is fine, even in the summer on hot days...

When I first started in the hobby, my LFS told me a chiller was required for MHS, but I've since come to the conclusion that he was just trying to sell me a chiller.

 

[spleify]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13575834#post13575834 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by m2434
I've never used a chiller with MHs, fans blowing across the top is fine, even in the summer on hot days...

+1 Never had a chiller here either