MH Lighting 4" over 75g tank - HEAT??

[john0087]

Hey All,

I am planning my upgrade and I am looking to get a MH fixture from Current. Its 2x150@10K + 2x130PC Actinic with electronic ballasts'

The problem is, I can not hang it over my tank, so I will be using the "legs". That will place it appox 2-3" above my tank. The tank dims are 48x18x20

Should I be concerned about heat? The tank will have at least a 20g sump and a separate 10g fuge. I will have a heater in each of the sumps/fuges and there will be no powerheads in the main. Flow will come form the returns and a closed loop system. I will probably have a small fan in the cabinet to keep that area cool as well.

My current set up only has PC lighting, so I do not know what to expect as far as heat exchange. I can not afford a chiller at the moment, although I will have one before next summer. The tank should be up and running in Sept, so hopefully the weather in so cali will cool down a bit.

Sorry for the long post.

Thanks

John

 

[Bearfan]

That was my concern as well, so I am considering going 8x54 T5 lighting since it's so much cooler.

I have PC also.

 

[MT79]

Should I be concerned about heat?

Yes. Going by what I have- 2x250 MH/ 2x110w VHO 10" over a 55gal in a canopy- I think you will be alright. The fixture your buying is enclosed and has it's own fans right?

The tank will have at least a 20g sump and a separate 10g fuge....there will be no powerheads in the main

That will help dissipate/eliminate heat also.

I can not afford a chiller at the moment, although I will have one before next summer. The tank should be up and running in Sept, so hopefully the weather in so cali will cool down a bit.

So in a worst case scenario you will just have to blow a fan across the top of the tank for a short while or put some 2x4's under the fixture to lift it- Although I don't think either will be necessary.

 

[john0087]

The fixture your buying is enclosed and has it's own fans right?

Yeah, the fixture has its own cooling fans and an internal electronic ballats, which I have heard run cooler. is this true?

Going by what I have- 2x250 MH/ 2x110w VHO 10" over a 55gal in a canopy

I am not going to have a canopy. Its going to be an open top with the fixture above. That shoudl help as well.

Thanks

 

[MT79]

internal electronic ballats, which I have heard run cooler. is this true?

Yes E-ballast run cooler than magnetic.

am not going to have a canopy. Its going to be an open top with the fixture above

That's what I was assuming, that should help dissipate heat more efficiently as well. HTH