Lighting

[KyleV]

? for the experts....

Would a 250HQI and a 150 HQI generate the same amount of heat over a tank as a single 400 SE or less?

Trying to reduce heat and keep the same or more brightness. Currently have the dual set up going.

[KyleV]

LMK if you need more details

[alton]

To keep it short 400 watts of light is 400 watts of heat + or -. The differance is the amount of space given to dissipate that heat. One 400 watt MH fixture/reflector is around 72 sq. in. Where as one 150 and one 250 would be two fixtures/reflectors around 144 sq. in. Same thing would apply to T5HO 8 x 54 watts = 432 watts but this is normally spread out in 558 sq. in.

[KyleV]

Both are currently back to back with small reflectors in a fixture over my 33 gallon cube. The amount of space would be about the same if I replaced the fixture with a single retro reflector.

[alton]

What temperture are you able to maintain this 33 gallon tank at? It seems like a lot of energy, light, heat, for this size tank.

[KyleV]

I can keep the tank at 79.5 with the 24watt PC and 250hqi thanks to my aqua controller. The problem is when the 150 turns on it goes to 81 which I don't want hence the reason I was hoping that 1 400 SE would be a solution since it would be open in the canopy not in a fixture. From what I'm getting so far it will be almost the exact same thought right?

A chiller is not a solution since the tank isn't RR and the price.

Is 400watts dumb...should I just stick with a single 250 and atinic?