Should I upgrade to 250w/t5

[signal_4]

Ok so heres the question...I have 215 heavy stocked mixed reef with 40 g sump. My tank is run open top and it is 72x24x30. Currently I have the Coralife 72" 3 150w MH and 4 90w PC which uses the normal legs that it comes with. I have 2 MP40'S pushing the water surface as well as 2 mag 9's for returns. The temp in the tank runs between 79-84 degrees and I do not have a chiller. Im thinking on upgrading to a 72" 3 250w MH and 4 80w T5 with the normal legs that it comes with since I hate PC lights. Will this move push the tank temp way to high ? Or since the tank is open top it wont create to big of a deal ? The tank is also in a small study room and sits under a ceiling fan which is always running on high...Average temp in the house is set at 79 degrees. Thanks

 

[sirreal63]

It may as you will be pushing more watts over the tank. Fans will help with heat management, one in the sump should help greatly. Be sure and acclimate the corals to the new lights as you will have much higher PAR with the new setup. The 4x96 watt PC's are hurting you more with heat than the 4x80 watt T5's will. I also see no problem with the 79-84 degrees but would try and not let it rise much higher.

 

[dan-in-gr]

Hi,I have always used MH and you have high temps of 79 to 84 already, the halides will push it higher, even with fans on top.

Best bet is if you go with 250's, you will need a chiller and on that size of tank and also depending on ambient room air temp, a 1/2hp will be needed.