I really need to work this out.....

[Andy16]

Ok, its slightly similar to my other thread about the lights but this time its all on the MH. Now i realized that i could still afford a 400 watt ballast for only around $7 more. And then the bulb will still put me within price range if i get the socket to fit into my coralife hood with the ballast and bulb. I dont believe this is overkill. Look at nano-reef.com tank of the week. That guy uses 400 watt bulbs on his 20 and its great. Does more watts put out more heat? And i still need a good way to get all of this stuff retrofitted to try and aviod buying another reflector to add $30 to the total cost. I wonder how creative i can be with my $90.....

Uh oh, i think ive gone cross eyes...

 

[OrionGirl]

I don't think increasing the wattage would increase the heat by enough to worry about.

 

[Andy16]

So are you saying go with the 400 watt then?

 

[tricksterpup]

Check out this site..
www.aquarium-lighting-guide.com/
This should help you with some of your questions.
I just recently picked up a 400watt setup for my reef tank. I do not think they will produce more heat but it still will get warm. So you should have a fan system for the lights and an air conditioner during the summer months.


jim

 

[frosty]

They will produce more heat, power is heat. 400 watt will be twice as hot as 200w.

 

[mogurnda]

They will produce more heat, power is heat. 400 watt will be twice as hot as 200w.

Only if the lights are equally efficient at producing heat. It's not exactly linear.

 

[Andy16]

Ive lowered my range to 250. I figured i want to keep low light corals too and 250 is still more then enough. So now i am still trying to figure out how to retrofit my 36 watt coralife hood:scratch:

or i could just get a new reflector and strip down the 36 watt and put it all in there. i really dont know what to do...