| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
Rama 
Guest
Joined: July 12 2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 67
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Topic: 400 W MH over 29 gal
Posted: June 14 2005 at 2:35pm |
|
Hey everyone I had a few questions I'm looking to get a 400 W MH ballast and fixture (good price otherwise I would have get something smaller) and I was wondering if I could put it over my 29 gal tank. It is a blue wave I Remote magnetic ballast with a reef optix I fixture. I have a few questions:
What does remote mean?
What would the bulb cost me?
Is this just too much light?
Am I going to have to seriously worry about heat or can I make adjustments (increase the distance)?
If this is too much heat can I use a 250 W instead with the same ballast, I don't know how the ballast works?
Finally, will it restrict me from having particular species?
Thanks for everything.
|
|
Highland, UT
|
 |
fj40fax
Guest
Joined: November 04 2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 1261
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June 14 2005 at 2:44pm |
Remote means the ballast is in a separate box from the bulb.
Blulbs will be anywhere from $60-$100
I don't think it is too much light, I have a 250W over my 20. You will need to put it WAY over your tank. Plan on maybe 18" over the water. Even then it will still cause heat problems. A fan pointing directly at my sump keeps mine at 79 degrees within a degree. It will also cost a lot more money in electricity each month. You could probably sell it on here and clear enough to buy a new 250W which will be great for your needs. You could not run a 250W on a 400W ballast.
I think it would really limit the ability to keep LPS and softies (mushrooms and ric's).
Fax
|
|
Fax 318-3632
90g 2x250W 14kK MH
Sump, Fuge, G3, UV, O3, ACIII
Pleasant Grove, UT Across State Street from the Purple Turtle
Adjustments and Massages for Frags!
|
|
boudster
Guest
Joined: June 08 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 52
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June 14 2005 at 2:45pm |
|
Wow....you're looking at about 13-14 watts per gallong there.....I think you'll be able to fry eggs on top of your water. I wouldn't waste the money since it's going to be expensive on your electric bill and the bulbs will be expensive. If you're getting a really good deal on it, buy it....then trade it to someone else for a nice setup that will be better for your tank.
|
|
|
|
Jake Pehrson
Admin Group
Joined: June 13 2002
Location: Murray, UT
Status: Offline
Points: 4279
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June 14 2005 at 3:06pm |
What does remote mean?
Remote means that ballast is not built into the bulb enclosure. There will be a cord running from the bulb down to a ballast that can be mounted under your tank, on a wall, etc.
What would the bulb cost me?
This really depends on the type and brand of bulb. about $50-100
Is this just too much light?
I don't think this is too much light, but you may not really need that much light. Heat is going to be a big issue.
If this is too much heat can I use a 250 W instead with the same ballast, I don't know how the ballast works?
Most likely you cannot.
Finally, will it restrict me from having particular species?
Not really. Lower light corals can be placed lower in that tank or partly shaded.
Edited by Jake Pehrson
|
|
|
|
Rama
Guest
Joined: July 12 2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 67
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June 14 2005 at 4:16pm |
Thanks a bunch guys. Okay well I am now the owner of the whole system, (I was the only bid on ebay  ) I am picking it up today. I was figuring out the cost and it seems that it would only cost me about $20 a month to run it (if I am seriously wrong please tell me). I'm still wondering if I should try to go with it or trade it for a 250 or something.
Once again it is a 29 gal that will have 45lbs of lr and an aqua c remora on the back. Which reminds me if I don't have a sump will that increase my heat retention in the tank? I know it was quite an impulse buy but I guess I got light hungry after having two 65w pc's over it the last time I had it set up.
I am way open to opinions and advice and I won't get offended. Thanks
Edited by Rama
|
|
Highland, UT
|
|
pmpt
Guest
Joined: May 12 2004
Location: Saratoga Spring
Status: Offline
Points: 1319
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June 14 2005 at 4:23pm |
|
I think 400 watts over a 29 gallon tank is a little overkill. But not bad. If it were me, I'd sell/trade it for a 250 watt with some VHO/T5 for supplemental lighting. But thats just my $0.02
|
|
boudster
Guest
Joined: June 08 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 52
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June 15 2005 at 9:13am |
|
I would trade it just for the heat factor alone.....you are going to have to mount that thing way high over the tank, which could look strange depending on your setup. You could easily trade it for a nice 250 setup w/supplementals. You definitely don't NEED 400 wats over a 29 Gallon......you could even get away with a 175 with some vho/t5 supplementals.....but if you're planning on going all SPS the 250 would probably be a better option. The heat factor and the asthetics of having to mount the light so high above the tank would be the turn off for me....as well as the extra electricity costs.
|
|
|
|
Xacttech
Guest
Joined: January 25 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 625
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June 15 2005 at 9:50am |
I would highly recommend trading it possibly for some $$ and a 150 HQI
setup. Your tank is probably pretty shallow, and a 150 should let you
keep any species you want, cost you less monthly, and won't cause a
large heat issue.
I don't think you'll have any trouble finding someone interested.
Just a thought 
I had a 400 watt over my 90, 10" from the surface and fried a few corals
that were 8" below the surface (No I didn't properly acclimate) But still
something to think about.
|
|
boudster
Guest
Joined: June 08 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 52
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June 15 2005 at 10:14am |
|
I was also going to suggest going with a 150W DE HQI setup....but I wasn't sure if you would find someone willing to trade.....the HQI setups are much more expensive....but much nicer. I'm about to Install a dual 250W DE HQI setup with Phoenix 14K bulbs on my tank....I got the stuff wholesale and it still cost me over 500 bucks.
|
|
|
|
Rama
Guest
Joined: July 12 2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 67
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June 15 2005 at 10:16am |
Thanks you guys. I am going to see if I can trade it or sell it. I just want to have some decent light over my tank  . But I can see that heat and distance will be a problem I haven't bought a bulb for it yet so I guess my next move is over to the buy sell trade forum, if you guys know anybody send em my way. Oh yeah if I had to sell it all what would you think an okay selling price would be? I'm not trying to make any money on it just enough so I could get lights for the tank.
It is a new blue wave I remote magnetic ballast, pulse start, with the built in timer feature and a reef optix I fixture, new as well. It seems if someone only wants the ballast I could keep the fixture to use on another ballast.
Thanks again for everything.
|
|
Highland, UT
|
|
boudster
Guest
Joined: June 08 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 52
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June 15 2005 at 10:27am |
|
Check out the prices for a DE 150W HQI setup on www.ReefGeek.Com and see if you can make enough money off the 400 to pick up one of those.
|
|
|
|
reptoreef
Guest
Joined: January 08 2004
Location: Brigham City
Status: Offline
Points: 2060
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June 15 2005 at 10:31am |
For a decent price on bulbs... get a hold of Burton Marine. He's got some great prices on nice bulbs.
Jason
|
|
www.captivereefing.com
|
|
ssilcox
Guest
Joined: November 17 2003
Location: Sandy
Status: Offline
Points: 3428
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June 15 2005 at 10:42am |
I say keep it. Put a fan or two on the tank directed at the water and keep it. Especially if you are wanting to keep SPS. You'll have a little bit more evaporation... but who cares? Your coral will be the fastest growing on the block. 
The cost for a bulb isnt really substantially more than a 250 watt.
You may want to talk to Tfowers, he had a 400 watt on his little 29 gallon. He got great growth and coloration in his coral.
Personally, I say why waste the time and effort downgrading when you have a perfectly fine setup now?
|
|
pmpt
Guest
Joined: May 12 2004
Location: Saratoga Spring
Status: Offline
Points: 1319
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June 15 2005 at 10:46am |
 ssilcox wrote:
[Personally, I say why waste the time and effort downgrading when you have a perfectly fine setup now? |
True.
|
|
