Tylers ~300Gal System Build. *The epic failure*

[zum14]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

Lookin good. I tried talkin my wife in to letting me spend 3K on a LED fixture by sayin it would pay for itself after a year of use. She would'nt go for it. Maybe yours will.

Hahaha that was my first though as well. Not a chance. She said she wants her car first.

[Madreefer]

I pick a random day once a week and don't have my MH's come on for the day. Only run them 6hrs a day as well. Does'nt hurt anything and it's not sunny everyday in the ocean. Every little bit helps.

[zum14]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

I pick a random day once a week and don't have my MH's come on for the day. Only run them 6hrs a day as well. Does'nt hurt anything and it's not sunny everyday in the ocean. Every little bit helps.

I was playing with that as well but well purchasing when not knowing what your doing, you end up with a bunch of 400W halides and a softie/lps tank with more light then you know what to do with. That and trying to keep 300Gal of water warm in a 65* basement isnt helping. The more and more I look im getting closer to the reality of probably setting up just one tank upstairs with an undertank or basement sump, im still crunching the numbers. Probably a T5 fixture (that kien guy has nice tanks and one is T5 lit) Its really tought to do this as its kinda dampering the dreams, but I just cant handle a $220+ electricity bill.

[Madreefer]

If you go that route you should'nt have a heat problem and it's great for summer months. It makes my wife alot happier having all my equipment and sump in the basement. No more mess upstairs. I'm no expert but I think T5's need to be changed more often. And you know how it is in this town to get anything SW related.

[zum14]

For sure, Ive kind of gotten used to the thinking of whatever i need i order. I thought t5's and metal halides were the same in a yearly replacement??

[Madreefer]

I was told every 6-8 months. Nedco had some nice good priced fixtures in the summer. Not sure how many bulbs it held but much cheaper if the words fish, reef, aquarium or marine is'nt on it. The cheap Coralife T5 bulbs at our LFS are only $90 each.

[zum14]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

I was told every 6-8 months. Nedco had some nice good priced fixtures in the summer. Not sure how many bulbs it held but much cheaper if the words fish, reef, aquarium or marine is'nt on it. The cheap Coralife T5 bulbs at our LFS are only $90 each.

I make regular orders to JL so Id be going there. Its hard to decide and have to crunch numbers on bulb replacement vs energy consumpsion between metal halide and t5. Do you have 150s or 250s on your tank?