Adding more light.

[RobinL]

Hi everyone,
Im new to this forum very nice and informative.

I have a 125g =48 x 24 x 24
I am presently using 2 x 250 DE 20K`s on a HQI Electronic Ballast w/T5 actinics.
I am keeping very little LPS and have a few SPS frags and am planing to have a SPS dominant tank.

My Question is would it be to much to add another 250w DE with a 10K bulb on my system,I already have the fixture and bulb in storage so it wont cost me anything but Hydro.

So what do you think?
Thanks in Advanced

Robin

[Reefland]

Hi RobinL, Welcome to Reefland!

It is nearly impossible to add too much light so yes it would be beneficial, however there are some things to be aware of.

1. The additional heat.
2. Center Braces.

Obviously the light is going to provide additional heat to the aquarium and you should have a plan in place to address it prior to the light addition. Perhaps if adding to an open top or inside a canopy with plenty of fans there will be no problem but make sure your prepared.

If you are placing the additional lamp directly over a plastic or acrylic brace, the heat from the lamp will weaken it and obviously, that can lead to problems. If you are adding it over a brace, again plenty of ventilation will be important as will the height the lamp is placed above the brace.

[RobinL]

Thanks for the quick reply I will be recieving my chiller within a couple of days,so that will take care of the heat issue also my setup is in a wall with a filter room behind it so the top is open and I installed a bathroom fan blowing the heat outside.


As for the center brace yeah I got one of those in the center.My Fixture it has fans inside removing the heat from inside the cover so would you suggest I place a fan blowing across the top of the tank.

I have my current fixtures about 8" from the water surface so should I place the other fixture higher?

Thanks I appreciate the info.

[Reefland]

I would place the additional fixture 11" above the center brace and watch it closely for the first couple of days to make sure it's not getting too weak.

[Ninong]

If you have a glass tank you will be OK 8" above the water for all three lamps but if your tank is acrylic you might want to make it an inch or two higher on the lamp above the center brace.

[RobinL]

Thanks Alot.


Robin