new halides bother fishies?

laurabolyard · 01-05-2008, 11:12 PM

I just got 500w of metal halides, upgrading from about 100w in a 50gl. Is this going to 'shock' anyone? I have a minimum in the tank, clown, wrass, crabs, snails (lots of bristle worms

Anything I should know or do to acclimate?

Laura

laurabolyard · 01-05-2008, 11:13 PM

BTW, that anemone went back to the shop until I could aquire better lighting!! I was too worries about him. Clown didnt seem to care!!

**CarmieJo** · 01-05-2008, 11:15 PM

Hi Laura,

I think you would want to ramp up to the full potential of the lights.

**thesaent14** · 01-05-2008, 11:19 PM

500w or 400w ??

laurabolyard · 01-05-2008, 11:23 PM

2x 250=500w

Ramp up to the full potential? Help carmie

***lReef lKeeper*** · 01-05-2008, 11:26 PM

i am guessing these are 2 x 250w lights ?? as long as you have no corals you should be fine with the fish. just be sure to keep an eye on the tank temp. that much light over a such a small volume of water could heat it up very fast.

**thesaent14** · 01-05-2008, 11:27 PM

i guest i will say the same like bobby

laurabolyard · 01-05-2008, 11:40 PM

I am a bit concerned about heating up, but no bother to anything 'upping'' the wattage so much so fast?

**thesaent14** · 01-05-2008, 11:48 PM

i use 3X400W on lumermax reflectors on my 180g and my temp don't go over 80 i am using 2 fans blowing to the tank

laurabolyard · 01-05-2008, 11:50 PM

Im hoping to need one small fan under the hood-whatever happened to walmarts small fans????? Cant find one!! What do you think is the max temp I should allow?

***lReef lKeeper*** · 01-05-2008, 11:54 PM

mine use to get to 82 in the summer, before i added the second fan on the sump. that would be where i would set the limit.

wal marts fans are seasonal. they only have them when the weather is good for sales. i bought 4 last year just to be safe. there are usually some small fans on ebay, but i am going to say that 1 fan will likely not be enough (in the summer) if the lights are lass than 8" above the water. do you have a sump ??

**thesaent14** · 01-06-2008, 12:01 AM

i am coming up with a fan moint for sumps it use 4 pc fans in what part of florida are you

laurabolyard · 01-06-2008, 12:20 AM

I do have a sump. One fan above, and one below?
I guess I should have realized winter isnt a good time to be looking, but this is west palm beach!
I am hoping it will be enough, I worry about boiling them. The tank stays between 78 and 80 as it is.

***lReef lKeeper*** · 01-06-2008, 12:27 AM

i would put both fans on the sump. it WILL create more evaporation, but an Auto Top Off will solve that problem for you. i would also have the second fan ready just in case the temp get up there fast. then you can just turn the halides off and the second fan on.

laurabolyard · 01-06-2008, 12:32 AM

I dont want to sound dumb, BUT

2 on the sump, and a third one ready? why is the sump a better place? I actually like the idea, kinda out of my way.

***lReef lKeeper*** · 01-06-2008, 12:44 AM

just 2 fans ... one on the sump and on ... one on the sump and ready to be turned on. that is why i say on the sump ... they are out of the way and there will be more surface area of water for the fans to cool (usually).