175W MH 14K K bulb

[Polkster13]

The amount of heat that the MH produce will also need to be taken into account. The PC and T-5 don't produce anywhere near the same amount of heat. I have MH, VHO, PC, T-5 and NO bulbs on a variety of tanks and systems. The MH produce quite a bit of heat (I have them in a very small room and the room temp stays in the low 80's) just to get that shimmering effect. You will need to run the A/C a little cooler or put in a chiller so that will need to be figured into the cost equation as well.

[dwdenny]

well we do run the A/C at 75 but I think it is off because the room runs in the 72-74 range during the day and about the same during the night Plus I will have two fans in the hood as well as the back will be completely open. This will be in the living room so the temp will be pretty stable and cool with a cieling fan. Like I said above this is not set in stone but for $280 I can get a CoralVue 175w MH with 2X24W T5 actinics or I can get a 4X39w T5 setup for $329 not a big price difference but big enough. Nothing set i stone I can always change my mind right before I purchase the lights. I relly do appreciate you alls help in making up my mind.

[mharris7]

IMO metal halides are more expensive on electricity not because of the wattage but because of the ambient heat they put into the room, thus causing the AC to run longer to compensate. It's a big deal in the summer. I love the look though.

[witecap4u]

What size of tank is this going on?

I would get a nice 14-20K bulb and not worry about actinics. Even though it is overkill for what you want to keep right now, it will allow you to change your mind and not have to worry about swapping your lights in the future. Look at the 150W HQI's as well as the 175W SE setups. With just the singe bulb, you'll only need to spend <$75 on bulb replacement a year.

As far as heat goes, we are talking 1x175W bulb, I dont think the heat will be that intense that he will need a chiller, unless the tank is like 20 gal, but I doubt it is since it has a center brace. I ran a 400W over a 44gal corner tank with a single fan in the canopy and didnt have heat issues, just alot of evap. and our electric bill hardly changed at all, or at least not enough to care about.

Just my thoughts
cs

[smelleybrad]

Maybe this will help

http://www.c-sea.org/members/brad/ar.../#metalvsflour

[Ram_Puppy]

I have a 14K hamilton that has about 200 hours on it, The ballast went bad so I ditched the fixture, but I am pretty sure the bulb will still fire if you want to give it a try. very pretty bulb.