Lighting change....

[tropicana]

Ok, So ive installed the new dual 400w MH system on my 55g :) I had 260w of CF. Now, do I need to regulate the lighting to 1 hour increments over the next week to get to 8 hours so I dont overburn my SPS/Softies ? I would like some recomendations so I dont kill everything just with the new lights....

[MissT]

what I do:

I went to HD and bought some nylon window screen and some cheap wood trim pieces, and made 3 screens which sit on the trim of my tank... When I change bulbs (or fixtures in your case) I put them all on top of each other on the tank. After two days, I remove the top one. After another three days, I remove the second one, and after three more days, take the last one off. Works every time...
To me, doing that on your normal light cycle is better than full blast for just a shorter period of time. Think of it as cloud cover! hth

[sly fox]

very innovative.. excellent idea

[apedroza]

Cool Idea Misti!!!

[Texreefer]

I wouldn't be as worried about the light as the heat that is going to put out over that little 55.. what are you going to do to cool that tank?

[tropicana]

Well first, I built a new canopy that has a large opening in the back, and puts the lights about a foot off the water. I have 2 decent fans running air right under them. I Understand that the radiant heat will hit it as well. Im going to have to see about a small chiller maybe, Not sure Until i see the temps. Im hoping the fans will do the trick. Since we always run our AC at around 75-78 I think we are ok lol. Im going to monitor it as I hturn the lights on manually each night for a few hours and see. I have a timer, just i want to be sure the transition goes smooth so I will turn them on myself.

[MissT]

Yeah, I'd have to agree with Mike... save up for that chiller, cause 800w of MH is crazy for that volume of water and that tank depth... :hypnotyized:

[princer7]

I needed a chiller for my tank running 2 250 watt halides. It is a 58/65 gallon (36x18x23).

When I was running my underpowered 1/15 chiller, temps would get to 83 before forcing the lights off. This was an increase of 7 degrees during the day.

Now the lights only raise the temp 1 degree with a 1/10. :bigsmile: I am keeping the tank temp low at 76 with the cooler weather.

[Paul28]

Wow 2x400MH on a 55 that's a lot of heat and light if it was me I would run 20k lower par if you run 10k wow your par lvls are going to be high might do some bleching on your corals but that's just me o yeah your going to need a chiller I'd be surprzed if you don't

[RayAllen]

Agree that 2 x 400w of MH is way overkill. You do not need 14watts per gallon for anything that I know of. 2 250watts will give you 9 watts per gallon and be plenty bright enough and cut down on the heat issue you are going to have. No buts about it, Chillers are expensive and fans or no fans you will have to much heat over such a narrow tank. Hope they work ok for you, you may want to crank your thermastat down to 72-73 during the summer.

[Bill S]

I think I'd upgrade to a 90, at least...

[ErikH]

120 tall!

[RayAllen]

Yep more water volume will be needed to distribute the heat.

[tropicana]

The reason I bought these was, I will be moving this summer sometime. We will purchase a house most likely this year. When I do, I am going to upgrade my tank to at least a 180+ So I figured I would run them in my 55g until then, buy new bulbs when I upgrade the tank and Im set..... At least I can now have some Blue Torts :) I have to see how I am going to buy a chiller... Im thinking of Trading my system in my car for a kickass chiller.... Anyone? Ive got 2 JL Audio 12w7's in a Custom box.... They are $600 brand new EACH sub! Less than a year old!

[bronck83]

Why not just run 1 of the lights until you get your bigger tank?

[tropicana]

Why not just run 1 of the lights until you get your bigger tank?

Its got a center brace.... I cant evenly distribute it that way.... Btw, Ive ran the lights for 2 hours today so far, I am on constant watch. Im going to turn it off today. Tomorrow I will run it 3 hours and see how it does. The temps stayed between 79-80 degrees. I have a glass thermometer I dropped in the tank and it still is the same as when it was turned on. I will have to check it during the day when the heats are the hottest outside. I hope to sell my system to buy a chiller just in case though. I think with having the lights higher off the tank, it helps ALOT with the heat, the fans running directly under them help too. I still get great lighting. Ill post some pics.

[brewercm]

I ran two 400 watt 10K AB's on a 75 for quite a while and didn't have too many heat issues but I had a good size clip on fan from WalMart running over the water. Lot's of evaporation though (about a gallon a day) so be ready for that, I'd say my water never got above 80 to 82 which was a little hight but not terrible. I did it for the same reason so I could upgrade later but now I'm back to 250s on my 140.
Just keep an eye on the temps and your evaporation rate.

[ErikH]

Its got a center brace.... I cant evenly distribute it that way.... Btw, Ive ran the lights for 2 hours today so far, I am on constant watch. Im going to turn it off today. Tomorrow I will run it 3 hours and see how it does. The temps stayed between 79-80 degrees. I have a glass thermometer I dropped in the tank and it still is the same as when it was turned on. I will have to check it during the day when the heats are the hottest outside. I hope to sell my system to buy a chiller just in case though. I think with having the lights higher off the tank, it helps ALOT with the heat, the fans running directly under them help too. I still get great lighting. Ill post some pics.


You got the right idea, the fans under the lights should help to dissipate some of that heat for sure. The hottest part of the day is going to be the kicker though. You may need more fans!