30 gallon lighting Helide?

[swampfox25]

Hey guys I have had my tank for about 2 years now running it with 2 65w pc bulbs. A friend gave me a 250w MH bulb and ballast. Would it be too much light? I have corals (polups, mushrooms, and xenia)

I pluged it in and held the light over the tank and love the look. I have to build a new conopy for the fixture. But I think it wil work good. Any thoughts???

 

[OrionGirl]

Dealing with the heat produced would be my biggest concern, but otherwise, shouldn't be a big deal. I would phase in the MH--that big a jump could scorch the corals otherwise. Start with it at least 12-18 inches above the surface of the tank, and for a reduced time frame. Gradually lower it, and increase the time it's on.

 

[swampfox25]

is there a spectrum difference around the light? There is a metal line that runs inside the bulb and someone told me it has to be down. But it seems to project a yellower spectrum? Thanks. I am going to build a new canopy today

 

[OrionGirl]

As with most bulbs, there are different spectrums. A reef tank will need one that is white to realy thrive and look good--this one may just be old, or it may be the wrong kind. I'd replace it.

 

[mogurnda]

is there a spectrum difference around the light? There is a metal line that runs inside the bulb and someone told me it has to be down. But it seems to project a yellower spectrum? Thanks. I am going to build a new canopy today

As Orion said, halide lamps come in a variety of spectra. The lowest color temperature you normally see for SW is the 6500 K Iwasaki. It has great PAR (photosynthetically available radiation), but a lot of people complain that it looks yellow. I like the crispness of 10000 K with some actinic supplementation, others like the blueness of 20000 K. From what I hear, 15000 K gives a nice compromise.

 

[swampfox25]

I bought a 20,000k I like the look alot. I need to buy fans for the canopy to take the air out. I am thinking of 120mm pc fans. Some people are telling me to use 1 fan in 1 fan out. Others say not to do that and do both fans out. Any ideas?

 

[RothChyld]

I use 1 in and 1 out. IMHO, If you are totally going to enclose your canopy, your temp will be much hotter pointing both outward than if you circulate cooler air in from the house through the canopy and back out. Also be prepared that when you add fans you will need to top off more than you have in the past.

I actually built side panels with fans in them for each side of the tank. I rest my lights on those. I then made detachable walls for it so I can get in the tank easily so I dont need to lift the canopy. I generally leave one of the walls off and don't need to run the fans unless my wife has the house a little warmer than usual. If I leave both walls on then I turn the fans on.

My house needs to stay at 75° - 76° in order to keep my tank between 80° - 82°. Be forewarned, with MH your tank will run hotter.

I attached a poorly drawn diagram of the canopy I built.

Mike

 

[OrionGirl]

I have 3 fans on the 120--2 go out, one goes in. The fans pointing out will accumulate corrosion from the SW more rapidly, and likely have to be replaced regularly. As long as the canopy isn't tightly sealed, either will work.

 

[swampfox25]

I did two out and one in. The one going in is right above the water and the other two are closer to the top just above the reflector. (I was thinking heat rises so bring air in from the bottom and out from the top.) Air comming in from the bottom also seems to be creating alittle surface agitation. Thanks for the help guys... I will add pictures in a bit.

 

[swampfox25]

Here are some of the pictures..

This is before the light change.

after

just alittle photoshop mabe??? lol

real picture

This is the inside of the canopy

Tell me what you think..