rano Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 I have a twin 55 pc set up from ahsupply in one of their hoods over my 20L right now. Seems marginal, and I want to fix that by adding something to that existing setup. I'm lookin' for opinions. Would you add another single 55 from ahsupply? Go with a 70 MH? Also, I'm having a tough time keepin' the temps under 80f as it is. So, recommendations on fans would be appreciated too. Link to comment
Reefer_Buddha Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 if youre having temp probs with pc's then youre in for fun with mh i personally would ditch PC i think they're entry level and halide is where the big boys play. Once you see a good halide system youll dump pcs forever. Link to comment
jocole37 Posted December 31, 2003 Share Posted December 31, 2003 how about adding a 150w mh to go with the pcs, also youll probly need at least 2 fans. Link to comment
Guy Posted December 31, 2003 Share Posted December 31, 2003 Not sure if your lighting solution would allow for a suspended pendant and an open top. I have a 29G that I am runiing a single 250 watt MH on. With the open top temps stay at 77-78 except for summer. In the summer I use a clamp on desk fan from office depot and it keeps the temp 78-80. Before this I had a 20L with 2x55's, I found myself in the same dilema as you and after much debate, went to the 29 and MH. (I went for the bigger tank so I could consolidate my 10 and 20 together to keep cost down, as well as maintenance) A 20L could get away with a single 175W MH in a horizontal pendant. If you add a third 55 watter you have 165 watts, but the 175 MH will definately look brighter depending on the bulb. for a few bucks more you could get a 250 watt set up and you would be set in the event you switched to a deeper tank. If you weigh it out, the initial cost is higher for buying the ballast, pendant and bulb, but you are now only replacing one bulb roughly 9-10 months instead of 3 PC's every 4-6 months, and it opens the door to a greater range of corals. My answer strayed from your question a bit, but I thought it was worth sharing my experiences. Also, I am not bashing PC's at all, I have seen some great tanks with PC's. I am just not one of the people who had long term luck using them. Since switching to Halides, I have not lost any corals and my tank overall appears healthier. Link to comment
rano Posted December 31, 2003 Author Share Posted December 31, 2003 Thanks for the input. I hadn't really considered yanking anything out of the current hood, or replacing it. But, you guys make some good points. And I have this old coralife pendant.... and thus, another weekend is shot to .... Link to comment
speakeraddict Posted December 31, 2003 Share Posted December 31, 2003 "but you are now only replacing one bulb roughly 9-10 months instead of 3 PC's every 4-6 months" Huh?! I don't know where you buy your bulbs from but you need to switch! I haven't seen PC bulbs with that short of a life span in years! I get 12 to 14 months before any really measurable (with a lux meter) drop off out the PC's from AHsupply. I have recently gotten some JEBO PC's and will keep and eye on them, but, I will have to get a new lux meter first. speakeraddict Link to comment
Guy Posted January 1, 2004 Share Posted January 1, 2004 Ok, so you change 3 bulbs evey 9-12 months instead of 1 MH every 12 months. your mileage may vary...... I changed my bulbs more frequently than you, or maybe sooner than most, and I did get them from AH supply. (and I am very happy with their service) As I said, I have no issue with PCs, I have used both and have had a lot better luck with MHs. Rano had mentioned the option of adding a 70 watt MH bulb to the hood, I took it a step further on simply switching to a 175 or 250 MH. I also tried to address his concerns with heat and my experiences using a higher wattage bulb. Peace, Guy Link to comment
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