lighting.. please help...

[saltjunkie]

lighting.. please help...

i have an older.... 3 -4 year old pfo magnetic 175w mh setup with 2x55 pc....
i have thought about upgrading my lighting system...
i love halides... dont get me wrong... but i have this on a 36" 50 gallon tank....
pcs are 24" and in the front middle....
halide is to the right of center to avoid brace...
i like the coloration.. its decent... but it is a rag tag assembled system
heat is an issue as i have an enclosed hood.. so adding another 175 isnt really realistic as my tank hovers and stays above 85 degrees...
would this be a good option.. is it quality.. or what would you all suggest?

I am looking at the 36" 4x96.. it would offer me more lighting.... removal of my enclosed hoods.. added fans??? what do you think? please help?
It is also cost effictive..

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm.../iid/12553/cid/
i did post this in the lighting forum.. i hope to not be stepping on feet.. but it is reef related...

[Poseidon]

I think the only thing that will increase is your electric bill.... Yes the PC's have a higher wattage, but I don't think they provide the same intensity that your current halide does. Think of it this way, halide consumes electricity at a rate of 175 watts per hour, but provides you with XXX lumens. The pc fixture will consume 384 watts per hour, and will provide you with XXX lumens. I am sure the output of the halide would have a greater LUMEN value at less WATTAGE. So in a sense you get more bang for your buck. (If someone KNOWS the exact values please post them, I can't find them, so I am going on my personal experience. All I can find is incandescent bulb vs CFL bulb data...)

There has to be an alternative to increase the actual light value of your tank without adding a lot of heat. Can you add a couple fans, or at least increase the ventilation holes in the canopy?

[saltjunkie]

Yeah i guess i could kinda rebuild the hood.. it is realitively old now and been put therough the motions... with my current light set up.. i only have the mh on 1 side and the pcs in the middle.. so there is a whole lot on the left.. and the only hing i can do would be add another 175.
which would give me.
410 watts of combined pc and mh.. which is great.. but i kinda like the idea of a light strip.... per say.. kinda....with fans and all built in....
is there a 2 x XXX mh combo that is 36 inches.. and has actinics or should i just upgrade to a 4 ft tank all my equipment will transfer to a 4ft... i would prolly kill my 7000 pounds of sand.. but i have enogh rock,, and sump refugium combo...

[Reefland]

I think you would have to do something custom to get 2 MH in a 36" hood. I don't know of one that is manufactured and sold that size.

[saltjunkie]

I think you would have to do something custom to get 2 MH in a 36" hood. I don't know of one that is manufactured and sold that size.

thats what i thought.. i had that one of yours that i sent back to dennis in there.. and from that i have a nice burnt wood spot.. lol
hence the reason dennis has it....
i think i need to upgrade to a 48" tank