Is too much (light) of a good thing a bad thing?

aslavatortin · 06/02/2008, 10:34 PM

The tank is a 110 high (48"L x 18" D x 30" H) and will contain SPS. The tank is currently cycling with the following lights retrofitted into the canopy: 2 x 400 W 10K Mogul Halides on a dual magnetic ballast, 4 x 96 W 450 nm power compacts, 4 x 65 W Actinic power compacts, and 12 x 1 W LED moonlights. I had all of this laying around unused from previous tanks and decided to use all of it to make a killer SPS tank. I lined the inside (top and sides) of the canopy with reflector-like material and I am using cheap parabolic reflectors on the halides. Heat and cost notwithstanding, is there any reason I can't use all of that in a 30" high SPS tank? The more the better as long as I maintain proper temps, right?

I still have one 400 W halide w/ accompanying magnetic ballast that I would like to add to the center of the canopy but the tank has a plastic cross-brace right there: how can I proceed with that?

Thanks

treefer · 06/02/2008, 10:43 PM

i take it you don't pay your electric bill? lol, just adjust your corals to it slowly

aslavatortin · 06/02/2008, 10:47 PM

I pay it, although begrudgingly. I figure energy costs are already outrageous and we moved into a new house so my wife isn't used to the new bill yet. I saw an opportunity and capitalized on it...ahh, the American way.

aslavatortin · 06/02/2008, 11:02 PM

I just did the math and running all of the lights together for 12 hours a day will add ~ $35/month to the electric bill. Keep in mind though that she had already accepted the cost of using all of those lights previously on other tanks, now I have just condensed my operation into one tank.

So how can I add that third 400 W halide over the cross-brace?

8BALL_99 · 06/02/2008, 11:45 PM

Really is no reason to run 3 400watt Mh lights over that tank.. Infact since its only 18 wide and your using spider reflectors your probably already wasting alot of light.. Canopy will help a little though. I understand what your saying, Since you have them why not use them. But really with that tank there is no good way to run that many lights over it. I think you would probably have some heat issues also.. I'd just keep the 3rd mh Ballast as a back up.. I always keep a spare ballast and bulb incase I have one go out on me.

aslavatortin · 06/03/2008, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 8BALL_99
Really is no reason to run 3 400watt Mh lights over that tank.. Infact since its only 18 wide and your using spider reflectors your probably already wasting alot of light.. Canopy will help a little though. I understand what your saying, Since you have them why not use them. But really with that tank there is no good way to run that many lights over it. I think you would probably have some heat issues also.. I'd just keep the 3rd mh Ballast as a back up.. I always keep a spare ballast and bulb incase I have one go out on me.

Thanks, that's a good idea.

RichConley · 06/03/2008, 07:50 AM

DItch the PCs and get some real reflectors.

What are you paying for kwhs? That would cost me way more than $35.

ReefNOut · 06/03/2008, 10:15 AM

If the brace is only a few inches wide you can put the light a few inches above it and the reflector should do its works shooting the light around it or if you are getting good coverage just use the 2.

aslavatortin · 06/03/2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
DItch the PCs and get some real reflectors.

What are you paying for kwhs? That would cost me way more than $35.

$.0805/kwh x {[(2x400w) + (4x96w) + (12x1w)]/1000} x (12 hours) x (30 days)=$34.66/mo

Sorry, I neglected to mention that I calculated that number without the addition of the third halide; also minus the 4 x 65w's.

With the additional 260 w of pc's, the total rises to $42.19/mo; when you throw in that final 400w halide it rises to $53.79! I've messed around with it some today and the 260 w don't really change the appearance at all so I'm taking those off, which, if I add the third halide, will net me a total bill of $46.26.

But, let's say I do ditch the PC's altogether (which would suck considering the amount of effort I just put into retrofitting that canopy), and went with the 1200 w of halides and the 12 1w LED's. The bill for that would only be $35.12, so I like that idea.

The inside dimensions of the canopy are 48"L x 20" D x 11" H, what "real" reflectors can fit in that? For what it's worth, both 400 w halides and all 4 of the 96 w pc's have been on for close to five hours now and the tank temp is stable @ 79.1 degrees with the fans running. Thanks for the input/advice.

WLachnit · 06/03/2008, 11:51 PM

Wow.... We pay $0.32/kwh here in No. Cal.

moo0o · 06/04/2008, 04:36 AM

yeah...freaking norcal evergy costs are ridiculous.

birdman1979 · 06/04/2008, 05:08 AM

I would think the two 400 watters with good reflectors would be more than enough with two 96 watters for dawn/dusk. Why not use the remaining equipment for a frag tank?

James77 · 06/04/2008, 07:30 AM

2-250 watters in good reflectors(lumenarcs or lumenmax) would be enough for the tank. But if my electric was that cheap, I wouldn't really care.

aslavatortin · 06/04/2008, 02:07 PM

The inside dimensions of the canopy are 48"L x 20" D x 11" H; what are some good reflectors that I can fit in that? I put in the third 400 in the center and the center brace (plastic) was getting too hot for me to feel safe, even with a dedicated fan blowing across it. Is there a reliable way to tell if that center brace is overheating (near melting/weakening)? What about draping a rag over the length of it that hangs into the water, providing liquid cooling by means of capillary action? I know this is overkill, but like I said, I have it all laying around; and like a few of you have said, I don't pay much for electricity.

Thanks

06/02/2008, 10:34 PM	#1
aslavatortin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lakeland, TN Posts: 430	Is too much (light) of a good thing a bad thing? The tank is a 110 high (48"L x 18" D x 30" H) and will contain SPS. The tank is currently cycling with the following lights retrofitted into the canopy: 2 x 400 W 10K Mogul Halides on a dual magnetic ballast, 4 x 96 W 450 nm power compacts, 4 x 65 W Actinic power compacts, and 12 x 1 W LED moonlights. I had all of this laying around unused from previous tanks and decided to use all of it to make a killer SPS tank. I lined the inside (top and sides) of the canopy with reflector-like material and I am using cheap parabolic reflectors on the halides. Heat and cost notwithstanding, is there any reason I can't use all of that in a 30" high SPS tank? The more the better as long as I maintain proper temps, right? I still have one 400 W halide w/ accompanying magnetic ballast that I would like to add to the center of the canopy but the tank has a plastic cross-brace right there: how can I proceed with that? Thanks

06/02/2008, 10:43 PM	#2
treefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Corning Ny Posts: 260	i take it you don't pay your electric bill? lol, just adjust your corals to it slowly __________________ save the fish, pee outside

06/02/2008, 11:45 PM	#5
8BALL_99 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toney, AL Posts: 3,724	Really is no reason to run 3 400watt Mh lights over that tank.. Infact since its only 18 wide and your using spider reflectors your probably already wasting alot of light.. Canopy will help a little though. I understand what your saying, Since you have them why not use them. But really with that tank there is no good way to run that many lights over it. I think you would probably have some heat issues also.. I'd just keep the 3rd mh Ballast as a back up.. I always keep a spare ballast and bulb incase I have one go out on me. __________________ The problem with political jokes is they get elected. OK, so what's the speed of dark? Why do we drive on the parkway and park in the driveway? Isn't is it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do "practice"? Current Tank Info: Custom Starfire 300,92Gallon,35 Gallon Hex,Two 40Gallons,125Gallon,

06/03/2008, 07:50 AM	#7
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	DItch the PCs and get some real reflectors. What are you paying for kwhs? That would cost me way more than $35. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

06/03/2008, 11:51 PM	#10
WLachnit Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,722	Wow.... We pay $0.32/kwh here in No. Cal. __________________ (1) 300g mixed reef (Starfire DT) + 100g Sump (2) 100g Softie tank (Starfire DT) My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263472

06/02/2008, 10:47 PM	#3
aslavatortin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lakeland, TN Posts: 430	I pay it, although begrudgingly. I figure energy costs are already outrageous and we moved into a new house so my wife isn't used to the new bill yet. I saw an opportunity and capitalized on it...ahh, the American way.

06/02/2008, 11:02 PM	#4
aslavatortin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lakeland, TN Posts: 430	I just did the math and running all of the lights together for 12 hours a day will add ~ $35/month to the electric bill. Keep in mind though that she had already accepted the cost of using all of those lights previously on other tanks, now I have just condensed my operation into one tank. So how can I add that third 400 W halide over the cross-brace?

06/03/2008, 10:15 AM	#8
ReefNOut Moved On Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 80	If the brace is only a few inches wide you can put the light a few inches above it and the reflector should do its works shooting the light around it or if you are getting good coverage just use the 2.

06/04/2008, 04:36 AM	#11
moo0o Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SJ,CA Posts: 1,694	yeah...freaking norcal evergy costs are ridiculous.

06/04/2008, 05:08 AM	#12
birdman1979 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 373	I would think the two 400 watters with good reflectors would be more than enough with two 96 watters for dawn/dusk. Why not use the remaining equipment for a frag tank?

06/04/2008, 07:30 AM	#13
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	2-250 watters in good reflectors(lumenarcs or lumenmax) would be enough for the tank. But if my electric was that cheap, I wouldn't really care. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

06/04/2008, 02:07 PM	#14
aslavatortin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lakeland, TN Posts: 430	The inside dimensions of the canopy are 48"L x 20" D x 11" H; what are some good reflectors that I can fit in that? I put in the third 400 in the center and the center brace (plastic) was getting too hot for me to feel safe, even with a dedicated fan blowing across it. Is there a reliable way to tell if that center brace is overheating (near melting/weakening)? What about draping a rag over the length of it that hangs into the water, providing liquid cooling by means of capillary action? I know this is overkill, but like I said, I have it all laying around; and like a few of you have said, I don't pay much for electricity. Thanks