SPS in 28g?

[TheReefGeek]

I dunno yet, lemm think out loud!

I just picked up the tank and stand earlier this week.

I am ordering some diamond drill bits today as I dont have the smaller sizes required for a tank this small. Thill will take some time to get here, then I have to drill and plumb.

I ordered the bulb and reflector today, and have the ballasts. But I need to build the DIY hood. The pumps, filter, skimmer, and heater I have.

The sump I have, but need to baffle it. I need to order the DIY auto-top off parts today. The rock and sand I have.

Biggest roadblock for me will be the DIY hood, I hate woodworking when it is so cold outside, I never got my garage furnace up and running before winter.

My goal is by the end of March or so, I will try to post pics as I go.

[rickjames]

If you put 400W on a 28 Gallon tank you are either going to have to run so many fans that the noise will drive you nuts, or have to run a chiller. I had a 250W bulb over my 30G with two computer fans in the canopy and in the summer I fought to keep the temp under 84F. And the 400W puts out WAY more heat. I have two over my 150G that drains into a 75G sump in the basement. I know the canopy has almost no ventilation but I need a full size room fan over my sump to keep it under 81F. And that is in a basement! And last summer it went up higher, so I have to get a chiller myself this year.

Anyways, 400W is not necessary on such a small tank, you would be much better off with a nice 250W configuration, at the maximum. Plus there are so many bulbs to choose from in that wattage, in both double ended and single ended configurations.

JMO...

EDIT: I see you already bought the 400W. Now all you have to do is buy a chiller!

[OCDP]

Heh, I agree with you rickjames.

My opinion? Don't use a hood.. keep it open, pendant style. Way less heat!

[TheReefGeek]

In my hood I am going to seperate the bulb from the surface of the water with acrylic, and will be running a 4" fan that will move way more air than computer fans. So essentially it will be like hanging the unit. I would hang it if I could, but there would be too much light leakage for my co-workers. My office building is air conditioned, so summer wont be as much of an issue as in a house.

I would run 250w but the ballast I have spare is 400w. My 250 ballast are dual PFO in 1 box, so cannot easily pull 1 out.

I can add a 3" fan if that is not enough, plus misc. fans over the sump if required.

The 1 thing that might halt this plan though, is the noise of the fans. If it is too disturbing then I will have to go with VHO lighting, but I want to try out SPS corals, and I dont think VHO would be good enough for that, although I have never tried.

[muck]

Why not get a 150W retrofit kit?
Should be more than enough for a 28G tank.

[TheReefGeek]

It would be more than enough for sure. I was going to go that way because I have the ballast for the 400w. But a 150w would be easier to control heat.

I am going to put the bulb and reflector on hold for now, it has not shipped yet.

What is the magnetic ballast number for 150w? I know 175w is an m57. If I can find a cheap magnetic ballast I would go this route.

[TheReefGeek]

I found an m57 ballast for a 175w MH for $60 at a local electronics/lighting shop. I am going to change my bulb order to a 175w XM 20K. Maybe I can do with just a 3" fan this way, and keep the noise down. Thanks for the input everyone!

[OCDP]

Sounds good... I think you'll be just as happy if not more happy with the end results (less heat, etc..)

May I make a suggestion? I would try a 14k bulb , I am using 20k and it is quite blue (obviously you adjust to it) but I have heard really good things about 14k bulbs. Like it's the perfect mix of white and blue and brings out great coral colours... as well as good growth (so I keep hearing)

[TheReefGeek]

I have run 10K and 20K XMs, and I like the color of the 20K. BUT, for comparison I think I will order the 15K XM to check it out, good idea!

[rickjames]

Originally Posted by TheReefGeek

In my hood I am going to seperate the bulb from the surface of the water with acrylic

That is going to seriously reduce the PAR output of the bulb and probably make it less intense then a 250W bulb.