Let There Be Light !!! Lots Of Pictures

OCDP · #1 08-30-2005, 09:16 PM

Okay so finally I got the halide up... just a quick question on the height I have it set.. I'd like some input please! This is a 150w HQI 20k Ushio setup in a flood lamp. Everything is made out of PVC and is water tight... (pics are crappy and misleading.. the light is so bright its hard to get a decent shot!)

Before:

Now...

Delphinus · #2 08-30-2005, 09:17 PM

Nice!

I think the height you have it set at will do you just fine.

OCDP · #3 08-30-2005, 09:21 PM

Thanks Tony.

It does seem a tad high, but then if I lower it I will have to compete with more heat and evaporation. But as for now... on this fairly warm day, I have my bedroom ceiling fan on, my window fully open and my tank temp is 82 and on it's way to 83. I think if I add a clip on fan (which would clip on nicely to that PVC

) then I would be just fine for heat.

Anyways... I am only thinking of lowering it by an inch or two at most.. and the reason being is if I want to add (and I will add) acros and clams, they will appriciate the more intense light.

sorry for the rant

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #4 08-30-2005, 09:50 PM

Love the true percs/RBTA & the frogspawn.

As the corals get more used to the MH light, you can slowly lower it down. This is a good time of year for that because it'll soon get cooler too so heat/evap won't be as big a problem. It'll also create less light spillage. Otherwise, looking good there

I, too, finally went with a full MH system & couldn't be happier with the results or the light.

Lesson: (repeated for the kazillionth time) if you want to really save money, go with MH right off the bat instead of all the expensive, unnecessary upgrades. Most of us tried to save a few bucks by going the PC or VHO or T5 route & it ended up costing us hundreds extra.

Thus endth the lesson & now to our regularly scheduled programming

Anthony

Willito · #5 08-30-2005, 10:18 PM

Nice work...now you can enjoy the endless lifeforms that you have been dreaming about.

Just a warning bro, PVC and heat don't mix well. It might be OK now, but over time the UV rays and heat combination will breakdown the PVC and your light may end up in the water. It's a scary thought and I wouldn't want to see that happen to anyone.

OCDP · #6 08-30-2005, 10:36 PM

Thanks everyone.

I will keep a close eye on the PVC and if it needs to be replaced over time then so be it. I had a feeling that would happen, and as a side note.. the light is not touching the PVC, there is screws going through the PVC and into the light, with spacers inbetween.

I wouldn't want to see that happen myself haha

Invigor · #7 08-30-2005, 10:43 PM

i liked the color before the MH :P

but nice rig!

Funky_Fish14 · #8 08-30-2005, 10:52 PM

Dude that looks great! Good work!

I think the height should be fine. When I had it set-up it was 16" from the water surface and I had SPS doing fine at the bottom of a 15g.

Good luck! Cant wait to see some sps and clams in there!

Chris

OCDP · #9 08-30-2005, 10:59 PM

Thanks Guys !

Invigor, I am not too keen on the 20k myself.. I think next bulb will be either 10k or 14k. Don't get me wrong though, I still love the look (looks much nicer in person)

I will have clams and sps soon hopefully!

Invigor · #10 08-30-2005, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OCDP

Thanks Guys !

Invigor, I am not too keen on the 20k myself.. I think next bulb will be either 10k or 14k. Don't get me wrong though, I still love the look (looks much nicer in person)

I will have clams and sps soon hopefully!

get a megachrome 13.5k giesmann bulb