uprading to MHs

[Bar16]

I just installed a new 150 w MH i upgraded from P.Cs to the coralife aqualight pro. That light looks GREAT im just worried about heating issues. Im running it over a 26 bow just curious if anyone else has ths light over a 26g bow and how much it heated up your tank. and how bad was your evap since im not an owner of a ro unit

 

[All Delight]

You should definately run an ATO. Otherwise your salinity will be up and down, up and down. You want to keep this as stable as possible.

You can just buy RO water, something like 30 cents a gallon. Add PH buffer though. I believe RO has a ph of 7.0.

I'm planning on get MH too, but I haven't gotten my ATO in place yet.

 

[norcal99]

Make sure you've got good air circulation bc that halide as you already said, will heat up your water. Getting some PC fans and running that over the surface will cool it down a bit.

You can actually make your own auto top off system if you paid attention in High School physics and learned a thing or two about circuits. I bought el cheapo float switch, wired it up through a relay, hooked up a 9V and spliced the whole thing into an old extension chord. Plugged an old air pump and ran tubing into a 5 gallon jug of water I had sitting around and run a pressure system (air in ---> RO out). All for the everyday low price of $9 (switch and relay). No need for a $75 fancy JBJ ATO (although it looks very nice)

 

[Bar16]

The whole thing with the ro unit is i have no place to run it. I just cant tie up my kitchen sink for hours at a time. and theres no water supply in the basement my only choice is outside garden house.... and ive heard you cant use them

 

[Bar16]

By the way i used distilled water for my top off if anyone was wondering

 

[norcal99]

distilled should be fine. A lot of people make a big deal about RO vs. distilled. You don't necessarily have to have a big RO unit, just bring a 5 gallon jug to safeway and fill it up for 25 cents a gallon

 

[Bar16]

ive never had a problem with distilled im just thinking if the evap is too bad ill be running the grocery store ALOT. Alot of times they dont have any thats what concerns me the most.

 

[norcal99]

I know what you mean... seems like the water machines never work when you need them to!

 

[hammer294]

i know the walmart near me has an entire isle stock with distilled water and drinking water if your ever in a pinch

 

[RobsReefs]

i have 4 x 65 watt pc bulbs over my 26g bow and have to add 4 cups a day my pc put out a lot of heat also.

 

[Bar16]

My local walmart stopped selling gallons of bottled water for some reason all kinds even regular drinking water