Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board  

Go Back   Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board > General > Reef

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-15-2007, 08:13 PM
Dragonsteeth Dragonsteeth is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: North Vancouver, BC
Posts: 21
Dragonsteeth is on a distinguished road
Default Switch from CF to MH

I have a 30G tank with CF's - 65W Actinic 03, 65W 10000K and 130W 6700K.
If i were to switch to MH could i just use a single bulb? Any recommendation for me. I generally have soft corals and a few fish.
Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-15-2007, 08:28 PM
Ruth's Avatar
Ruth Ruth is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fort St. John, British Columbia
Posts: 1,605
Ruth is on a distinguished road
Default

One of the things you have to consider when switching to MH lighting is that it generates a lot of heat and you have to manage it as high water temperatures are not conducive to healthy fish or corals. There are a number of ways to do this ranging from chillers to fans to tank placement - so it depends on your circumstances.
Are you planning on moving from softies to SPS and clams/anemones? If not then why switch? CF lighting is just fine for most softies, some LPS and even some clams without any problems.
I have MH lighting over 3 of my tanks and it is a real challenge with the heat. Last summer I lost all of my SPS because I just could not keep on top of it (and a few other catastrophes)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-15-2007, 08:43 PM
Dragonsteeth Dragonsteeth is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: North Vancouver, BC
Posts: 21
Dragonsteeth is on a distinguished road
Default

I have real space issues at the top of tank with two coralife fixtures and hang on skimmer and feed for phosban reactor. I was wanting to add a sump with overflow box and put my skimmer on the sump but don't have enough room for the overflow. So to get more space and some extra coral growth i was considering the MH. I agree about the heat issue.
Anyone know of a really small overflow box?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-16-2007, 04:29 AM
albert_dao albert_dao is offline
Good Guy Albert
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Richmond
Posts: 3,035
albert_dao will become famous soon enough
Send a message via MSN to albert_dao
Default

Perhaps you might want to consider HO T5's as an option. They're fantastic and really open up the doors of livestock selection for small tanks (less heat issues).
__________________
This and that.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-16-2007, 06:14 AM
kwirky's Avatar
kwirky kwirky is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,127
kwirky is on a distinguished road
Default

yeah comparing T5's to MH is like comparing apples to oranges, but in your case T5's would probably be the better option.
__________________
Everything I put in my tank is fully dependant on me.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 04-16-2007, 02:08 PM
roman roman is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3
roman is on a distinguished road
Default

Hey

I just made the switch from 4-HO T5's , to 250W Metal Halide over my 33G sumpless. I made a canopy that hangs from my ceiling (making sure there was lots of space for the heat to escape) it is currently 10 inches away from the waterline of my tank, but is adjustable. Overheating was a huge concern of mine especially on such a small tank. So I installed two "whisper fans" one on each end. When these fans are on the tank temp. doen't even get as warm as when I had the T5's directly on the tank. As for the corals I've never seen them happier! The switch is possible, it may take more creativity and patience but it's worth it, BIG TIME. Good Luck!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 04-16-2007, 07:14 PM
Dragonsteeth Dragonsteeth is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: North Vancouver, BC
Posts: 21
Dragonsteeth is on a distinguished road
Default

Hey Roman
Do you not loose too much light into the room with the light fixture so high?
Are whisper fans a make of fan?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 04-17-2007, 03:24 AM
roman roman is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3
roman is on a distinguished road
Default

LOL! You do loose a bit of lighting into the room (not too too much!), but I didn't have lights in my livingroom so it worked out perfect. I plan on building onto my canopy to prevent the light from straying beyond the tank. You'd have to see pics to see what I'm talking about. I'll try to post them tom. morning. I believe whisper is a brand, they make no noise at all, that's what makes them so good, the fans have manufacture dates of like 1979, and 1982. They work well I have no idea where my bro got them from. I just wired a switch onto them and as soon as the water starts warming up I flick them on.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 09:09 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.