To upgrade or to not?

[Frodo]

Well i have been debating weather to upgrade my light from a 96w CF to a 4x39w T-5 setup. I know this should be a no brainer but i thougth alittle input never hurt. And is it true T-5s run cooler then CF?

My ending goal is to have Acropora and maybe some Starburst but manily the Acropora and everything i have read says they like strong lighting. These light would make over 5watts per gallon on the 30L i have.

[charlie]

Not sure if they run any cooler than PC's, but if the ultimate goal is high lite loving acros, my suggestion is to bite the bullet and get halides, it might save you another upgrade in the future.
Watts per gallon is a thing of the past, am I am not sure that the T5 lighting will give you the penetration that you want. Alot of folks have had success with them and acros, but it seems that all their acros are up high in the tank, not affording much room for growth. JMHO
In a 30L you could probably look at something like a 150 HQI fixture that may be the same cost as the T5 setup. Do some looking around and some searching before you make your final decision. HTH

[Reefland]

I agree with Charlie, go for a single MH, maybe even a 250w, and use your current PC's as supplemental lighting.

[Frodo]

I will consider this but, MH might just be to far out the budget considering i am saving up to buy the MH for my 75. So i was liking for something britter under 200 if possible. I dont have to put the acro's in this tank i can wait for the 75 if i need MHs. I was really not looking to put 300 and up into this 30L. But i am open to any suggestion or maybe if you guys know where i can get better prices then what i am finding.

Thanks, Victor.

[Frodo]

Ok i have decided to put the 75 on hold until i get the 30L were i want it and that is with beautiful coral growing and flourishing like ti should. I was looking into put 1x175 MH and add to 39w T5's.

What would everyone think about i figured that would be enough to put any coral i want well...most.

[charlie]

I think you are making a good choice. A little bit of patience never hurt anybody.

[Reefland]

Again, I agree with Charlie...patience on the 75, get the 30 exactly where you want it first.

[Frodo]

I think you are making a good choice. A little bit of patience never hurt anybody.

Again, I agree with Charlie...patience on the 75, get the 30 exactly where you want it first.

Thanks guys a little encouragement goes along way, I have decieded to go for a single 175w MH Do you guys see this beening effiecent enough considering my goals of running Acorpora? Or would it be best to just go ahead and look into a 250w?

[charlie]

You would probably have to raise it up a bit and there might be some heating issues, but in the long run, it would save you an upgrade.
You may have to employ the use of some fans to battle the heat issues, but I think you'd be OK. JMHO

[Frodo]

You would probably have to raise it up a bit and there might be some heating issues, but in the long run, it would save you an upgrade.
You may have to employ the use of some fans to battle the heat issues, but I think you'd be OK. JMHO

Charlie, currently i have two sets of dual cooling fans but i see a problem with finding a way to build canopy or some kinda holder with out making a big hot box.

[charlie]

Can you build it with an open back, allowing the heat to go out the back?

What about allowing the heat to rise out of the top?

[Frodo]

I have made a picture to kinda help the words become something to look at. Feel free to post up any ideas you might have

Forgot to explain the side, each will have two fans one side blowing the air across the tank and the other acting as an exhaust fan.

[charlie]

Hey that helps!!!! I think the idea of the 2 holes at the top for the addition of fans could help alot. I think that they should be for expelling the extra heat, if I am wrong, someone please correct me, heat does rise!!!!!
I think you will just have to try, and then if you need more fans, add them. If you have a sump, you could also add fans on that to aid in cooling.

[Frodo]

Nope no sump kinda wish i did have this tank drilled and with a sump to late now. I am pretty sure this will be enough cooling for the MH

Now back to that so should i shot for the 250w or just stick with the 175w? I dont want to have to worry about if i have enough lighting for some corals. I want a done deal lol but i dont want to cook the tank either

[charlie]

I have 2 questions:

How high will the lites be over the tank?

How deep is the 30L?

I have a hunch that you may want to stick with the 175W considering summer is coming. Are you bound to the fact that you have to have a canopy?

[Frodo]

I have 2 questions:

How high will the lites be over the tank? The top of the Canopy is 7inches so the bulb will be about 5-6 inches above the water.

How deep is the 30L? The sand bed is about 14 inches from the top of the water.

I have a hunch that you may want to stick with the 175W considering summer is coming. Are you bound to the fact that you have to have a canopy? No, I dont have to use it i was thinking about using the legs from the CoralLife Lights and making some kinda box for the light but i dont know.

I hope that answers it. Keep those suggestions coming.

[charlie]

At that distance, (5-6"), I would definitly go with the 175W if you are gonna have the canopy. Just for instance, on my 80 gallon, open top, I have 2 250W bulbs in a PFO hood, and they are 9" above the waterline. I still have to use fans (sometimes) on this tank in the summer even tho this tank is in the basement.
I am still looking and thinking, so keep coming back!!

[Frodo]

Good good...i guess the only way to find out if it will run to hot in the canopy is to get em and try it out. I dont think that iw will create to much of a problem.

[charlie]

You gonna go with the 175W then???

[Frodo]

Yeah i figure the 175w one would be enough and i might add some VHO's later on just to have some blue hue to it.